Riding Through Midlife – Reality, Joy, and Staying in the Saddle
I’m not 25 anymore. Some days I wish I were. And some days I’m happy I’m in my 60s.
One thing I miss is my flexibilty and resiciency of my body. You know being able to lift my leg into the stirrup and mount. Another reason I ride a pony. Our bodies don’t bounce like they used to. As Roy Rogers once said, “When you’re young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you’re my age and you fall off, you splatter.” I think I may shatter rather than splatter!
Stay at it. Stay strong with exercises to develop strength, flexibility and confidence. It may mean having a regular program that you do. Sit-ups or planks for core strength. Yoga and stretching for flexibility and mental acuity as well. They are key to continuing with your riding. To stay strong and flexible to ensure you are not a burden to your horse. The last thing you want, is to be a “sack of potatoes” balanced on top of your horse.
Stopping is not an option.
Those well developed muscle memories may forget. It is not uncommon to see 70- and 80-year-olds still out there riding and thriving. Not because they’re fearless, but because they’ve never stopped moving. My equestrian heroine, Christilot Hansen Boylen announced her retirement from international TEAM competition in 2020 at the age of 73.
And,
Let’s not forget Ian Millar, who at the age of 72, announced his retirement from international competition.
Once you stop it is twice as hard to restart. So keep your feet in the stirrups.
That doesn’t mean you have to keep chasing the same goals. It doesn’t have to be competition. These days, I’m less interested in being told what to do for an hour in a lesson and more interested in developing my horse by hacking out with friends. This doesn’t mean I am not progressing.
I study.
Develop programs to improve my horse’s topline.
I design training programs and I record my progress. I have more direction and make more progress. It isn’t for a competition or show ring. It’s for me. This chapter of life isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about riding smarter, with joy, and wisdom. Progressing to the next level of your success.
Want to keep going into your 70s? Stay strong. Stretch daily. Know your limits. And above all—ride consistently. Not long, just regularly. Your horse, your body, and your soul will thank you.
