Team #730 Christine Cashel and Buena Vista

Team #730: Christine Cashel and Buena Vista 
From: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Ages: 73 & 27
Combined Age: 100
Test: Intermediate I

Riding the Century Club ride was the most fun I have ever had. It surprised me that it means as much as it does to me.  

Like many others, I have always loved horses. Just seeing them grazing in a field was beautiful to me. I took riding lessons when I was about 12, moved away from that area, and started again in high school. I owned a hunter and rode daily, showed, and even fox hunted. When it was time to go to college, my parents made it clear that the horse was not going to go with me, so I sold him.  

Thirty-five years after a teaching career and time in higher education as an administrator and professor, I returned to riding. After a short time being with horses again, I retired early from the university and became one of the world’s oldest working students! It was great! I learned so much and could contribute from other types of experiences.  

In my first year, I bought a horse who taught me about dressage. I showed him in Training and First Levels. After being rescued, another horse became available and was the kindest horse I have ever known. He helped me earn my USDF bronze medal and took me through Fourth Level. I bought another horse and while older, he was amazing, and I finished my silver medal on him. On a trip with my trainer to look for a horse for her, I found my next ride. He was a true schoolmaster and at 19 years old, he was healthy and ready to work.  

That was eight years ago, and Buena Vista has been my heart horse. He competed at Prix St. Georges and Intermediate 1 and I began to school him at Grand Prix. He was a willing partner but could not do all of the parts of Grand Prix. My trainer gave one of her horses to me to finish my gold medal, which I did two years ago.  

I have to say, however, medals are rewarding but nothing is as much fun as a Century Club ride! At 27 and 73 respectively, Buena Vista and I rode Intermediate I to join the Century Club on March 23, 2024. He was wonderful. He really likes the test and so do I. Fellow competitors and spectators watched and cheered us on. Equestrians know that the Century Club is not an event that happens to everyone, and they appreciate and celebrate when someone completes the ride. It was thrilling! Thank you to The Dressage Foundation for supporting this program and growing the Club. You have been so supportive and kind.