Team #514 Jean Brinkman and Faithkeeper
Team #514: Jean Brinkman and Faithkeeper
Ages: 81 & 21
Combined Age: 102
My Century Ride
I can't remember when I first heard about the Century Club, but I was intrigued and decided my Trakehner, Faithkeeper, and I would compete when old enough. I like goals and this seemed like a good riding one. I retired from showing in 2007, after having earned all my medals on a variety of horses including gold on Martini. In 2020, Faith and I reached a combined age of 100 years, with my 80th and her 20th birthday. However, Covid was at its worst, and I didn't have much inclination to go to a show with masks and distancing! 2021 came and things started to look a bit better but still not show friendly. Then in June, Faithkeeper attempted to destroy her new pasture mate and chased her until we noticed the two sweat ladened mares and separated them. It took an hour to cool the heaving mares in Florida's hot June weather. When both mares were breathing normally, I discovered Faithkeeper was very lame in her left front. She has always been very sound, and after six weeks with no improvement or definable issues, I wondered if I would get my girl back. My farrier tried some special shoeing and amazingly, she was instantly sound.
I decided I better get that Century Club ride done and found that the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala had a show at the end of August. I was fascinated with the facility and decided that was the show for us! The show offered air-conditioned rings, amazing stalls and was very open, air wise, plus my daughter, Erin, was also competing. I was aiming for Intermediaire 1 but the long break, short prep time made the decision easy. We would ride Prix St. Georges.
Faithkeeper is a daughter of Martini Pg*E*, my heart horse, who helped me achieve all things dressage and breeding! He passed in 2001, but in 1999, he bred Feodamee von Krotenbach by E. H. Hohenstein, producing Faithkeeper. I wanted to ride a horse I bred and trained and of course, one related to Martini. She has been my mount since her early years and except for a three-year break. Before I got my hip replaced, she was consistently going up the levels. She is such a fun mare, easy to sit, loves to work, willing, and talented. At the show, I made a rookie mistake and warmed up too long and she was a bit spent going in. I turned the wrong direction in a test that I could do in my sleep, which cost me a few points, but otherwise, the test was fun and rewarding.
There were a lot of people there to support and cheer! Erin was my very helpful teacher for the days leading up, and Joann Stewart put in some beautiful braids to bring me up to par. We all need partners-in-crime and Linda Janssen was mine coming to help and support. Faith handled the long break from the show ring well and was wonderful, brave, and kind! Roy, my husband, made the trip to watch our ride, making it even more special. In 2019, I found out that I had a half-brother, Art, who is 95 years old, as well as his daughters, my nieces. Art also came to watch so this was all so extra special for me. Erin presented flowers along with the ribbon and WEC did a blog! Really, just a fun experience all around and I really urge anyone of the right age to make this a goal. Sue Williams and I talked about the possibility of riding our famed stallion's offspring and she was successful with a lovely Abdullah daughter, so we were both able to achieve our goals!
An article about Jean and Faithkeeper published by the World Equestrian Center can be read here.
Jean and Faithkeeper completed Prix St. Georges, on August 27, 2021, for their Century Club membership.
