Team #578 Bev Sloop and Parissa E

Photo by Bethany P Photography

Team #578: Bev Sloop and Parissa E
From: Wildwood, Missouri
Ages: 75 & 25
Combined Age: 100
Test: First Level Test 2
Date: August 7, 2022

My life with horses began at age 28, and I now have decades of memories the horse world provided me. I hope to continue riding and showing as long as I can swing a leg over my horse.

My first competitions were local hunter/jumper shows while boarding my horse. After convincing my husband to purchase a horse property, we acquired additional equines, large and small. My daughter joined the local Bridlespur Pony Club. I soon discovered the fun of eventing and my husband, not to be left out, started to ride. He even rode in locally organized steeplechase racing on my event horse.

I was privileged to participate these past decades in hunter/jumper, foxhunting with the Bridlespur Hounds, eventing, and dressage. I am a long-time member of our local GMO, St. Louis Area Dressage Society, and serve as a board member and current treasurer.

My Dutch Warmblood mare, Parissa, is happily sound, enjoys daily pasture turn-out with her mare friends, and is teaching me Second Level movements. I have just competed in my first USDF Regionals (Region 4) on my German Riding Pony, DBF Moon River, taking two fourth-place ribbons in First Level Test 3. I hope to show both horses next season.

I am thankful to my fellow riders and trainers at Quarterline Dressage and BZ Dressage for their encouragement and support.

You don’t stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding.

Photo by Bethany P Photography

Photo by Bethany P Photography