Team #745 Judith Thompson and Elphin

Team #745: Judith Thompson and Elphin
From: Aiken, South Carolina
Ages: 82 & 20
Combined Age: 102
Test: Introductory Level Test A

Somewhere around the age of seven or eight I realized I had been born with the mysterious affliction of being a horse crazy female. This has been with me most of my life. It began with a small pony who was often difficult to catch. The college years were bereft of horses then came marriage, children, and a career. Then in 1970, we moved to a farm in Vermont, and it was again possible to have horses in my life.

There were a few different horses and horse activities until 2007 when I purchased a purebred Connemara gelding from Quebec. Elphin Skylark was destined to be the replacement sire for Elphin Connemara, but he grew to tall, well above 14.2 hands so they sold him. He was an untrained three-year-old when he came to Vermont.

Over the next several years, I realized what a gem he was; he was handsome, agreeable to almost anything you asked of him. We took him camping in Arcadia National Park in Maine. We competed in hunter paces, competitive trail riding, and endurance rides. He was always willing to do whatever you asked of him. He is often the horse to lead others past the scary stuff.

Now at 20 he is still going strong as the perfect mount for the older rider. When I mount him the aches and pains vanish, and I still feel 10 feet tall. I dedicate this ride to honor him.