Team #692 Catherine Jacob and Durango

Team #692: Catherine Jacob and Durango
From: Okeana, Ohio
Ages: 76 & 24
Combined Age: 100
Test: First Level Test 1
Date: August 29, 2023

When I was a baby, my father said, “What if she doesn’t like horses?” That was never a problem. My parents couldn’t keep me away from the stables. I was always found in the barn with my pony. Whether it was through riding on old hunt trails, hunting, racing, showing, breeding, or training in dressage through the levels to Grand Prix and to receiving my USDF gold medal at 74 years young, the love of the majestic steed has been a constant passion.

I have met many wonderful people that I would never have known if it wasn’t for the horse. One of them is Amy Rothe-Hieter. We would exchange horses to further our goals in dressage. When I turned 76, she offered me Durango, a 24-year-old schoolmaster to complete my Century Club ride. We accomplished that wonderful goal on August 29, 2023, at Amy’s Southwind Stables riding a First Level test. It was a treat to ride such a well-trained fellow after not riding for several years. The Dressage Foundation provides a platform to highlight senior citizens, both horse and human. The proper care and maintenance given to them during their formative years shows how they can still be productive later in their life.

Many thanks go to Amy, Durango, and The Dressage Foundation for providing this opportunity to achieve another dressage goal.