Team #674 Catherine Jacob and Grenadine
Team #674: Catherine Jacob and Grenadine
From: Okeana, Ohio
Ages: 76 & 30
Combined Age: 106
Test: First Level Test 1
Date: July 30, 2023
I owe many of my life experiences to the noble steed – THE HORSE. My earliest memories are of riding my pony over the neighboring farms. As a teen, fox hunting was a sheer joy that lasted for over 45 years. Riding with different hunts across the United States allowed me to see many different vistas through my horse’s ears. Through the various disciplines of breeding, training, racing, showing hunters, hunting, and dressage through the levels to earn the USDF gold medal at the age of 74, and earning the USDF Learner “L” Judge certificate, I have met so many people from different walks of life that I would have not known but not for the horse. Because of the commonality of the horse, some people have become lifelong friends.
In 2004, I met Nancy Wentz at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, Delaware, Ohio, where I entered Training Level classes at the USDF Dressage Show where she was the manager. Nancy is one of the Founders of the Mid-Ohio Dressage Association (MODA), a USDF GMO. As a member, I have met others who have become longtime friends. Nancy and I have volunteered, shown, and traveled together to the USDF Conventions for the last 20 years.
Grenadine, foaled and owned by Nancy, was evented by Barney Mullady in the late 1990s and early 2000s through Training Level. She rode Grenadine (25 years young) in July 2018 at the MODA Classic for her Century Club ride. She was kind enough to let me ride Grenadine (now 30 years young) for my Century Club ride on July 30, 2023, with a total age of 106 years. Even at 30 years old, the old master, Grenadine was full of pep and energy for our First Level ride.
Taking good care of older horses shows that they can still be functional and healthy in their later years, and a long-lasting friendship provided me with this Century Club ride.
Thank you, Nancy, Grenadine, and The Dressage Foundation for this special opportunity to showcase senior citizens!
