Libby Beck and Transylvania (WA)
Team #990: Libby Beck and Transylvania
From: Cheney, Washington
Ages: 79 & 21
Combined Age: 100
Test: Training Level Test 2
The morning of August 7, 2025, dawned bright and clear with just enough breeze to add a little spice to an auspicious day, the day that Libby Beck (79) and Transylvania (Sylvie, aged 21) had chosen for their Century Club ride.
The two had met on a chilly December day in 2009 at the Sun Stables near Moses Lake, Washington. Libby was looking for a nice Thoroughbred to train and compete in three-day eventing. A week later, Libby went back with her horse trailer to bring her home on trial, and their adventures began.
Sylvie provided a challenge for Libby, even though she had ridden since a child and had competed with previous horses to the Preliminary Level. Sylvie was not always cooperative, which their friends attributed to her grandsire, Storm Cat. With the help of trainers and clinicians, the pair persisted over the years and eventually won a few ribbons at the Beginner Novice Level.
Christel Carlson has been an important friend, trainer, and supporter for many years. It was she who introduced them to the prospect of doing a Century Club ride. Christel loaned them a portable dressage arena to fit in their home arena and organized everything. About forty long-time friends and riding partners, as well as Libby’s brother and his wife from California, showed up to cheer them on. After a little fussiness, they rode an adequate Training Level Test 2. A great time was had by all. Libby and Sylvie are extremely grateful for this opportunity.
Here is the song that Libby sang at the party, to the tune of and with apologies to Stewball, after thanking many of the people who made all this possible:
Sylvie was a racehorse, and now she is mine.
She drinks a lot of water, never drinks wine,
I found her on Dreamhorse, and was searching online,
A dark bay with a blaze face, and she looked mighty fine.
She’d won several races, so she had to be bold.
So, I went out and bought her; she was just six years old.
Now we do our dressage test, with a skip and a hop,
And go on to Stadium and leave all the rails up.
Then we’re out on cross country; we gallop and run
We clear all the obstacles and have lots of fun.
Now we’re both getting older, we’re both getting grey.
The aches and the pains, though, can’t keep us away
From the joy of each day, for the joy of today. Hooray!
