Team #682 Mary Beth Kuester and Sons of the Wind's Valioso
Photo by Pictorial Tales Photography
Team #682: Mary Beth Kuester and Sons of the Wind’s Valioso
From: Merrimac, Massachusetts
Ages: 84 & 21
Combined Age: 105
Test: Training Level Test 1
Date: August 6, 2023
My Century Club ride is just the beginning for me. In the fall of 2022, it had been almost 40 years since I had ridden when I discovered Sons of the Wind stable and inquired about lessons. Fortunately, they accepted my application as an 84-year-old who had not been on a horse in over four decades since I assured them, I was physically active as a ski racer and regular gym attendee.
During my life-changing week of lessons with international dressage master Vitor Silva, a fellow student and now dear friend, Jane, told me about her goal to do a Century Club ride in a few years. That was the first time I had heard of this wonderful opportunity. It didn't exist when I rode years ago. This changed my plan from just taking lessons periodically to owning a horse to complete a Century Club ride. With this in mind, I was able to convince Vitor and Maggie to allow me to purchase the one horse at Sons of the Wind that was NOT for sale, the famous Valioso (this amazing horse has performed all over the country piaffing on a piano as well as earning several riders their USDF medals and teaching hundreds of riders at the school) with the promise that he would never leave the farm or program. I feel truly blessed to own this incredible schoolmaster and to have the opportunity to learn from him. He is one in a million!
As a child I aspired to dog ownership, never dreaming of owning a horse but loving to trail ride in the summer at a neighboring stable. I started taking lessons at age 50 in Madison, WI, with French native and USEF “r” judge, Marie Johnson and purchased two horses: a grade gelding and a Thoroughbred, both trained to Second Level. Then life happened and I didn't have horses or time to ride for almost four decades.
Now I feel so fortunate to own four incredible Lusitanos from Sons of the Wind that I ride daily: Valioso, age 22, Furacao, age 13, Otimo, age six, and an amazing 10-year-old stallion, Juiz Da Sasa.
I split my time between Massachusetts, Florida, and Wisconsin, ski racing from December until February, and then concentrating on riding the rest of the year. I am now working toward the USDF bronze medal.
My Century Club ride took place at Sons of the Wind Equestrian Center in Merrimac, MA. I had so many people come to celebrate the day with me and those who couldn't attend sent well wishes from afar. International judge Kathy Connelly found time in her busy schedule to judge this event and she was so encouraging, and everyone loved the comment: “shows great promise for the future” on the test. A fantastic message for an 84-year-old who is embarking on a second venture into dressage. Vitor Silva and Maggie McDonald made all of this possible in just the short time between November 2022 and August 2023 and they made the day so magical. It was truly the best day of my life! Thank you to my prince, Valioso! And thank you TDF for this wonderful program. I am excited about the future and look forward to continuing to learn and enjoy my beautiful Lusitano horses and spending time with the great new friends I'm making at Sons of the Wind!
Photos by Pictorial Tales Photography
