Team #662 Teena Olson and Em a Pro
Team #662: Teena Olson and Em a Pro
From: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Ages: 75 & 25
Combined Age: 100
Test: First Level Test 1
Date: July 1, 2023
Spending my 30s and 40s as a horse show mom introduced me to the sport of riding. Although I did not ride and knew very little about horses, I spent hours trailering my girls to horse shows. It was a great way to be supportive and spend quality time with my two horse-crazy daughters, Wendy and Brooke. Even though I spent many hours horse-showing and cheering for the girls, it did not help me understand their desire to spend day after day with a horse or to jump around a cross-country field! As they moved up the levels and the jumps grew bigger, the knots in my stomach grew bigger. When Wendy did Rolex, I literally wanted to crawl under a rock! Then…
At the age of 50, I decided to try riding myself. Quickly, I fell in love with the animal and the sport. Starting on lesson horses was good, but soon I wanted something more consistent. First, I leased a horse for a few years and with the help of my daughter, who is now an event trainer, I began eventing. After my first lease, I took a huge step and took over Wendy’s retired 4-star horse, Maelstrom. Needless to say, I was overmounted and challenged. However, slowly but surely, we became a team, and I was totally hooked. Moving on after Maelstrom, I have owned two horses as well as leasing a few more.
Em A Pro (Mickie) and I have been together for about 10 or 11 years. She is owned by Carey Williams, a student of my daughter. When Wendy and Carey first brought Mickie for me to lease, I said that I would never get on “that horse” as I had watched Mickie compete through preliminary eventing. Wendy assured me Mickie would be the challenge I needed but safe. Mickie and I have had our difficult moments but have become great partners. Mickie has been a wonderful opportunity for me. My daughter was right. She has been the challenge I needed.
As I made the final halt, I met my goal for Mickie and me to complete a Century Club ride. Leaving the ring I felt so fortunate to have had the opportunity to ride Mickie all these years. Looking up as I exited the ring it was so special to see so many friends who came to support me. Over the years I have met and become friends with so many other horse crazy people. Riding is a very special sport!
