831 - Selma Powers and Leos Magic Pine

Team #831 Selma Powers and Leos Magic Pine

Team #831: Selma Powers and Leos Magic Pine 
From: Brunswick, Maine 
Ages: 79 & 22 
Combined Age: 101 
Test: Training Level Test 1 

I started riding at age 34 when my son got a horse. I was a second-grade teacher for 31 years, which was perfect for balancing with horseback riding. 

In 2015, I completed my first Century Club ride on Hungarian Jane when I was 69, and she was 31. I was fortunate to ride her for 26 years; she lived to be 33. 

My next horse, Effie, was diagnosed with kissing spine, so I stopped riding her. She now enjoys her days as a companion horse to Leo on my farm. I considered quitting riding when Effie was deemed unsafe to ride, but my friends encouraged me to get another horse. At age 76, after living with Parkinson's for six years, I bought Leo. 

In my first two years with Leo, I showed him at Introductory Level because I struggled with getting his right lead canter. Last year we earned the championship ribbon at Introductory Level from both the Central Maine Dressage Club and the Maine Dressage Society. This year, our scores at Training Level haven't been as high, but he has performed well at the shows. 

I would like to thank Carol Poulin-Taylor, with whom I've taken lessons since 2008, and my friend, Robin Miller, for all the help and encouragement she has given me. 

I showed Leo at the Central Maine Dressage Association’s Kur for a Cure Schooling Show at Esprit Equestrian Center, with Wadean Cadwick as the judge.