Linda Lester and Seyvilla Baskella

Team #86

Seyvilla Baskella is tied with Max Gahwyler's Prinz Eugen as the oldest horse in the Century Club.  Both horses were 34 at the time of their ride!

I started riding hunt seat as an adolescent at Mrs. Dillon’s Full Cry Farm in Vienna, Virginia back in the 1950s.  Then after a long break for college, marriage and two children we ended up back in Virginia where I took lessons in Glenn’s Falls and bought my first horse, a Morgan Quarter Horse gelding.   I brought him to the Panhandle of Florida in 1972 and sold him when I was expecting another child.

Several years later a new neighbor moved in with a small herd of Arabians.   I was hooked again and bought a four-year-old chestnut Arab mare named Sassie Lassie.  And yes, she did live up to her name.  A dressage club, the Emerald Coast Chapter of Deep South Dressage was formed in Fort Walton Beach and Sassie and I tried our hand at this new discipline.  Unfortunately she never really wanted to become a dressage horse and our competitive history was less than stellar.  When I finally realized that my favorite movement in a test was the final “A down centerline, X halt salute” we gave up competing in favor of helping organize and secretary local recognized dressage shows, first Dressage on the Emerald Coast and later Blue Angel Dressage. 

My next step to stay involved was to become licensed by USEF as a dressage TD and have greatly enjoyed working shows from Houston to Atlanta to Gainesville and many points in between.

Due to serious joint issues I retired Sassie about four years ago and lucked into buying an amazing 13’3” Connemara pony I named Eeyore.  He is a dream come true for this old lady.  His only real fault is that he doesn’t really have a work ethic (hence the name), which is fine for me.  We trail ride, have ridden in a parade and he doesn’t mind being dressed up in costumes.  I have a talented teenager with strong 18-year-old legs who shows him for me and has qualified him for the Region 3 Championships in October.

Sassie is now 29 and enjoying her retirement.  I had always hoped to ride my Century Club Ride on her but that was not to be.  Then a friend offered me her 34 -year-old Arabian mare.  What an amazing horse.  She was shown as a 4 year old, became a broodmare and had 19 (yes 19) foals. Her AHA recorded name is Seyvilla Baskella but her barn name is Mom.   She then became a therapeutic riding mount and backyard ride for the owner’s grandchildren.  I started working with her about three months ago and it has been quite a project.  She had not had a bit in her mouth since she was 4 so we worked on the basics, steering and figures and as typical for the breed she is a very fast learner.

We were pleased to perform our Century ride at the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association North West Florida Chapter Schooling show at Willow Bend South in Cottondale, Florida and privileged to ride for one of our favorite judges, Bill Woods.

A very special thank you to Ben and Linda Smith who allowed “Mom” to return to the show ring and for making my dream come true.

Read a very special Message from "Mom"

With Mom's owners, Ben and Linda Smith				With Judge, Bill Woods