Team #810 Linda Roache and RU Sure
Team #810: Linda Roache and RU Sure
From: Andover, Connecticut
Ages: 75 & 25
Combined Age: 100
Test: Training Level Test 1
As far back as I can remember, I was drawn to horses. Finally at age 12 my parents started to let me take riding lessons.
Riding stopped with college, then came almost a thirty year break, family, and work, but an old dream remained. To pony trek across Ireland, so at 50 years old I started riding again.
First lessons, then buying my own horse and discovering dressage. I was hooked. I decided I wanted to train my own horse, so I bought a gangly four-year-old Connemara gelding, Paradox Pippin, and we became a team over ten years, slowly working up the dressage levels until I was only one score short of my USDF bronze medal. Then he became seriously ill and could no longer be ridden.
A generous friend, Val Hodder, also working toward her bronze medal, offered to share her horse, RR Moondog, and that year, at age 70, I finally earned the final score and received my bronze medal.
Just recently, Donna Dunbar, another old friend, offered a show where the Century Club could be completed. Val encouraged me to go for it, but once again, I needed a horse. My current mare was only 20.
Learning of my situation, Jennifer Jo Cross offered to loan me her lovely horse, RU Sure. Both ladies helped to coach me on how to ride him. As a Third Level dressage horse, his unflappable personality made him the perfect mount for my Century Club ride. I was thrilled when his owner reached out for me to ride him.
