Sylvia Kantas and San Rosario (OR)
Team #919: Sylvia Kantas and San Rosario
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Ages: 79 & 22
Combined Ages: 101
Test: First Level Test 3
I always wanted a horse.
When I was five years old, I won a $5 prize in a little contest and convinced my mom to open a real savings account for me at the bank—passbook and everything—“for when I buy my horse.” I was serious, far beyond the realm of piggy banks. At age 12, I bought my first horse and never looked back.
Rio is my 10th horse in a long line of dream fulfillment. When his prior owner asked what my plans were for him, I did the math (68 + 12) and said, “In 10 years, we can do our Century Club ride.”
We’ve had some bumps along the way. At one point, he developed a spinal cord impingement that required basket surgery. Some nerve damage from that left him with a pretty severe Sweeney shoulder. But he recovered! While he was rehabbing, I had knee replacement surgery. Then this pair of decrepit old duffers decided we weren’t through yet.
I want to thank the wonderful support group at Elizabeth and Mike Langvin’s Equidae Stables, and most especially my dear friend and trainer, Janet Aungier.
I’m looking forward to as much more riding time as I can get. When people ask if I’ve ridden all my life, I tell them, “Not yet.”
Photos by Anna Bigwood
