Young At Heart

Growing old in company with your horse can be an uplifting — and competitive — experience. Stephanie Bateman meets some partnerships whose combined age puts them well into their 80s

OLD age comes to us all, but life need not be a bore in our twilight years. Many veteran horse-and-rider combinations are still fighting fit and holding their own competitively, proving there’s still plenty to look forward to in later life.

“I can’t imagine not riding,” muses Mouse Berry, 60, who has had the pleasure of riding Sam Griffiths’ former Olympic eventer and Badminton and Burghley podium finisher Happy Times since he was retired last year.

The same could be said for the 20-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

“He would deteriorate significantly out in the field because he would lose his muscle tone,” says Mouse, who keeps Happy at her house, two miles from Sam’s yard, where she worked for many years as groom and nanny. “He’s still up for doing lots and simply wouldn’t be happy fully retired.”

Alongside hacking, lunging and schooling, the pair compete in in-hand veteran classes. Happy also goes back to Sam’s on a weekly basis to be “tuned up” by head girl Charlotte Andrews, who competes him in ridden veteran classes.

“We rub along well, even though I’m a little over-horsed,” smiles Mouse. “He’s not a granny’s hack. I don’t have lessons on him because I’m a bit past that and don’t want to irritate him — he’s quite volatile if I upset him. Saying that, I feel safe on him, and riding keeps me in good shape.

“He is in amazing condition, which is a tribute to Sam’s management,” she adds. “He has always been sound and has little wear and tear, so he’s easy to look after.”

An eventing celebrity, Happy enjoys posing for the crowds.