Ellie Joos and Vinny (SC)
Team #1038: Ellie Joos and Vinny
From: Aiken, South Carolina
Ages 76 & 24
Combined Age: 100
Test: Introductory Level Test B
As a teenager, I loved horses and rode friends’ horses at every opportunity, dreaming of one day owning my own.
A family and a successful career put that dream on hold until my son graduated college and it was now my time to buy my first horse…. then a second! I was attracted to dressage and the subtle approach to training horse and rider.
After many years in New Jersey my husband and I moved to Aiken, South Carolina. He could golf till his heart’s content, and I found a friendly barn for my two horses, with one living to 32 and the other still here at 31 and retired.
One day I met a gal who had relocated from California, and she brought with her three horses, a beautiful Dutch Warmblood from the line of Garibaldi, her adorable pony, and a miniature horse. We became friends and I told her about my bucket list item to ride in the Century Club. She generously offered, Vinny, her Dutch Warmblood, as she wasn’t riding him anymore and he was somewhat retired. We set our goal and as soon as both of us came of age we focused our sights on April 11 at a beautiful facility.
Vinny got sick a few months before the ride and was close to crossing the “Rainbow Bridge,” but he rallied and we forged ahead. We rode our test proudly and celebrated with friends and family!! Bottom line…. DREAM COME TRUE AND BUCKET LIST KICKED!
