Team #520 Sharon Kipping and Stirling

Team #520: Sharon Kipping and Stirling
Ages: 75 & 26
Combined Age: 101

On September 12, 2021, at Rose Mount Farm in Spotsylvania, Virginia, I took my ride for the Century Club on a horse named Stirling. Stirling is a Connemara/Quarter Horse cross owned by a good friend, Barbara Ellis, of Caroline County, Virginia. With Stirling at 26 years and I at 75 years old, we rode our way into The Dressage Foundation's Century Club where the age of horse and rider added together are 100 years or more. The dressage show we rode in was held by the Fredericksburg Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association.

In the show we rode a Training Level, Test 2, and received a great score of 62.5 percent. It was the first time Stirling had entered the show ring in many years. Having such a great nature and being a well-trained horse, Stirling did exactly what I asked of him and gave a great performance. As he entered the arena, he held himself proud and moved out into a smooth, easy to ride trot.

I think this was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was a privilege to ride Stirling in my Century Club ride and to join the increasing number of elderly riders and horses competing in The Dressage Foundation's program.

Sharon and Stirling completed Training Level, Test 2, on September 12, 2021, for their Century Club membership.