816 - Bill Wilson and Ferris

Team #816 Bill Wilson and Ferris

Team #816: Bill Wilson and Ferris 
From: Chichester, New Hampshire 
Ages: 77 & 24 
Combined Age: 101 
Test: Training Level Test 3 

I was born in Maryland.  I graduated from Washington College playing varsity tennis, soccer, and baseball.  After college I joined the Air Force, qualifying for fighters and flying tankers for SAC.  After the Vietnam War, I returned to law school and practiced commercial and finance law in the energy sector. 

I grew up with horses but only learned to ride late after I met my wife Stella, a rider from childhood.  I have been blessed with three wonderful horses, all partners for life.  Fox hunting led me to eventing, which my wife and I enjoyed for several decades.  My Century Ride partner Ferris (a Holsteiner aka Fortitude) was my last eventing partner.  He has a jumper’s heart and scope and is smart as a whip with an impish but sweet personality. Through all our competitions, he never refused a jump or pulled a rail.   

Ferris developed head-shaking syndrome around age 13, which ended our competition years.  Currently, we continue to improve our jumping and are working on Third Level dressage movements.   

My wife discovered the Century Club program and encouraged me to do it as a tribute to my long-time equine partner and friend.  He truly is my horse of a lifetime.  We had not ridden a dressage test in 10 years, and I was suffering from severe sciatica.  Still, we managed a respectable test, and both enjoyed the experience.   

I thank The Dressage Foundation for this opportunity to honor my equine partner.