Leslie Raulin and Cromwell (MD)
Team #893: Leslie Raulin and Cromwell
From: Jefferson, Maryland
Ages: 73 & 27
Combined Age: 100
Test: First Level Test 2
On June 4, 2025, at her farm in Jefferson, MD, Leslie Raulin (age 73) and her Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding Cromwell (called Ollie as his breeder named him after her distant relative Oliver Cromwell, 27) completed their Century Club ride. They rode First Level Test 2 to 67.576%. The ride was judged by Cheryl Loane, Leslie’s long-time trainer and scribed by Jayne Hench, who was taught by Ollie. Also in attendance was Ollie’s veterinarian, Dr. Mia Lee, who has kept him sound.
Bred in South Dakota to be an eventer (his sire was Cimarron who was the leading eventing sire in 2008 and top 10 in 2009 and 2010), Ollie was afraid of his shadow so, after some dressage training, he was sold to a junior rider with whom he competed through Second Level. He was then sold to Leslie to be her lower-level schoolmaster. Unfortunately, Ollie is injury-prone, so Leslie never showed him above First Level. Due to injuries, Ollie has been retired three times, each time recuperating so he could be a lower-level schoolmaster for two friends. His most recent un-retirement was so Leslie and Ollie could do their Century Club ride.
Leslie has been an on-off-on equestrian. She rode a little as a child and teen years (one group lesson per week). She then concentrated on schooling – college, dental school, two residencies, board certification in periodontics, PhD in microbiology/immunology – and a career in the US Army Dental Corps, retiring as a colonel. In 2011, at age 60, Leslie purchased her 25-acre Blue Horse Farm, where she is enjoying her “retirement” riding, mucking, mowing, having fun, and staying “young.” Leslie supports the local dressage community by organizing a series of dressage schooling shows at local farms, including three shows at her farm for which all profit is donated to equestrian and non-equestrian charities. As a hobby, Leslie also makes and sells bling brow bands, the profit of which is donated to the same charities.
Leslie and Ollie prove there is life long after retirement and are pleased that the Century Club allows them to celebrate it.
