Marge Holmquest is on Quarterhorse mare Buttercup to the left, Mary Wright is on Morgan horse gelding Banner to the right.
On August 20th, the McLendon Hills Equestrian Center held a dressage schooling and fun show.
At the show, there were two ladies riding a dressage test to enable them to qualify for the Dressage Foundation Century Rider award.
The Century Club recognizes dressage riders and horses whose combined ages total 100 years or more. Horse and rider perform a test of any level at a show (schooling or recognized) or event, and are scored by a dressage judge or professional.
Basically the age of the rider and the horse must equal or exceed 100. Both ladies are 79 years old. Mary Wright will ride Banner, her horse from when he was a baby and is now 26. Marge Holmquest will ride Buttercup who is 30 and she takes lessons at the barn.
The Dressage Foundation (TDF) sends a beautiful black and gold ribbon to be presented to the team at the show. Following the ride, TDF sends a Century Club plaque to the new team.
Dr. Gahwyler and Prinz Eugen, Team #2The Century Club was formed at The Dressage Foundation in 1996, at the suggestion of Max Gahwyler (CT), who with his horse Prinz Eugen, became team # 2 in the Century Club.
The first “Centurion Class” ride, held in 1996, featured Lazelle Knocke and her teammate Don Perignon. Lazelle’s ride came after her extensive ‘three year vacation’ away from riding due to surgery and rehab time.
As she said, “Hopefully the Centurion class will be in the forefront of a very interesting opportunity for Seniors and Dressage as Recreational and Therapeutic riding. It really is challenging and has long-term goals and benefits.
The Century Club ride has evolved into a serious endeavor that encourages and rewards our older senior riders.
