Susan Hilton with Shadow Lancett Barrs (IL)
Team #1051: Susan Hilton with Shadow Lancett Barrs
From: Villa Park, Illinois
Ages 74 & 26
Combined Age: 100
Test: WDAA Introductory Level Test 1
I have loved horses all my life. Since we couldn’t have our own horse, my twin sister and I read about horses and played with our toy red and black stallions (like author Walter Farley). For my 46th birthday, my husband bought my first horse – a liver chestnut Chincoteague Pony named Island Legend, aka Misty, who taught me how to ride. I boarded him at a hay farmer’s barn near five forest preserves. We trail rode for many years with other middle-aged barn ‘pony pals’ after work to unwind before we went home to family responsibilities.
Then I was horseless for a few years and felt something was missing. My beautiful black Quarter Horse, Shadow, was my retirement present. I used Parelli techniques for us to become best friends. With help from great trainers at my new barn, Shadow taught me dressage skills. We made lots of new barn friends, participated in horse shows, and won many ribbons. We joined a fun drill team. We also worked on Working Equitation obstacles. Covid hit, and we discovered online WDAA pattern video shows. Shadow was an excellent dressage dance partner! I was so happy to complete the Century Club ride when I turned 75, and Shadow was 26. I had fulfilled my childhood dream – by owning red and black stallions. An accomplished ‘Bucket List’ success!
