Team #696 Mary Cuevas and Hannah Synnove

Team #696: Mary Cuevas and Hannah Synnove
From: Bend, Oregon
Ages: 74.5 & 25.5
Combined Age: 100
Test: First Level Freestyle
Date: September 16, 2023

In 2014, I bought my Norwegian Fjord, Hannah from Maggie McLaughlin, who also completed her Century Club last year on Hannah. I needed a companion horse and a safe horse for my grandkids to ride. Hannah fits the bill!  Since then, she has truly been the “all-round versatile” horse I wanted. Hannah is a companion horse, a lesson horse, a lease horse for those in need of a safe mount, a fun horse for my five grandchildren to learn to ride, a great trail horse, and sometimes a dressage horse! Occasionally she even does a little jumping. Hannah is also a wonderful driving horse. Maggie competed with her in her younger days.                  

Since I learned about the Century Club in the early 2000s, I made it a goal to become a member. Hannah has allowed me to check off two bucket list goals. The first, completing a Century Club ride, and the second was learning to drive a horse and cart. I drive Hannah and hope to do the Century Drive next year.             

I have been riding since I was seven years old and never stopped. When it came to riding, I always set goals. Over the years, some of my goals have been met but there are others I would still like to accomplish.

I’d like to thank The Dressage Foundation for creating this opportunity to meet this goal. Thank you to Alliance Equestrian Center boarders and friends for supporting watching our ride and for COCODS for putting on the League Show venue. Thank you to Natalie Perry, my trainer, coach, and instructor for helping us get ready to ride our First Level Freestyle. It was so fun and I'm grateful for the elder horse and rider moment in the spotlight.