Team #538 Susan Becker and Alaric
Team #538: Susan Becker and Alaric
Ages: 76.5 & 23.5
Combined Age: 100
This is a celebration of Alaric (Agincourt/Felice), nicknamed Ricky, now 23 1/2 years young. He is enthusiastic, generous, mischievous and affectionate. His personal charm is so magnetic that in just three years, this warm-hearted schoolmaster totally rules my heart. In 2017, Ricky was an FEI Prix St Georges champion under Kyra Shine (Region 9), and then the opportunity arrived for me to purchase him from the Shine family in 2018. I remember thinking, being 73 at the time, “If not now, when?”
I last owned a horse 35 years ago and had only experienced dressage as part of my horse trial addiction, and so I surely needed to begin anew. Doing so from age 73-76 has been magical. Now, Ricky, along with the most talented, patient and inspiring trainer, Dolly Hannon, has taken us to our Century Club ride at Third Level on November 28, 2021. We reached the combined age of 100 on that day.
Because Dolly already knew this horse intimately, having helped train him as a youngster, she already loved him and welcomed me as her student. In three years of study with Dolly, I have gone from “What’s a half halt?” to riding a Third Level test. What I treasure above all are the daily hours I spend with Ricky. It is a privilege to care for him and love him every day. He has allowed me to become his person. Our intimacy grows as we groom and graze, take hand walks, share snacks and secrets, and trail ride around a nearby pond. These moments are as precious to me as when he teaches me the half pass. Every time he breathes on me, I give thanks to be exactly who I am and where I am, a senior in love with her horse. This is the freedom of aging.
Alaric (Ricky) is the grandson of Abdullah, one of the most successful horses the show jumping world has ever seen. In 2009, Abdullah was inducted into the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
Thank you to The Dressage Foundation for encouraging senior horses and riders. I’m so very grateful to Dolly Hannon and my barn mates who encouraged and cheered me on to accomplish this Century Club ride.
Susan and Ricky completed Third Level, Test 1, on November 28, 2021, to join the Century Club.
