20 golden oldies with Peter Pan genes

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Published In Features
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When they're hunting, jumping and impressing in the dressage and showing arenas, it's hard to believe the age of some of these golden oldies...

BizzieB, 20
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BizzieB, 20

‘This is my horse BizzieB who I have owned since a two-year-old and is still competing. We have had a mega year this year with British Dressage and riding side-saddle. I wouldn't swap her for the world and she's absolutely one in a million who has taught me so much.’ Jackie Banks

Tara, 26
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Tara, 26

‘My golden oldie Tara (aka Lady T) is still proudly competing in dressage at 26-years-young. She is a 15.2hh cob who I have owned since I was 12-years-old. We enjoy competing up to novice level and we regularly score 65% and above — slow and steady isn't always a bad thing when it comes to scores for rhythm and acceptance of the aids!’ Helene Joyce

Harry, 20
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Harry, 20

Tia, late 20s
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Tia, late 20s

‘This is my five-year-old son and his loan pony Tia. We think she is in her late 20s. They are members of Iveagh branch of the Pony Club and do showjumping, games and hunting.’ Fiona Dadswell

Jack, 19
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Jack, 19

‘Here is our 19-year-old pony Jack. Love this boy to bits!’ Chris Hayle

Lakehead Mermaid, 27
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Lakehead Mermaid, 27

‘Lakehead Mermaid, 27, still enjoying competing in veteran classes.’ Clare Watson

Jess, 26
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Jess, 26

‘We only started doing dressage 18 months ago and we won the gold section of the prelim class. She had a spinal cord injury three years ago and the vets weren't sure whether I'd even be able to ride her again, but we worked hard and proved everyone wrong!’ Donna Whitehead

Torvalley Kestrel, 24
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Torvalley Kestrel, 24

‘My 12.2hh Welsh section B Torvalley Kestrel, who I have had for nearly 16 years, is now having a new lease of life with seven-year-old Poppy Williams. I was competing him at BD novice six years ago when my horse was off work and now he is competing at unaffiliated dressage with Poppy as well as plenty of rallies with the Banwell Pony Club. This coming year they will be making their BD debut together!’ Elizabeth Allen

Shannon, 24
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Shannon, 24

‘We regularly go out competing unaffiliated dressage and enjoy showjumping and still go for a good gallop in the fields (weather permitting).’ Emily Spibey

Ryan, 20
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Ryan, 20

‘I am a carriage driver and with Ryan, I am on the junior British team. This year I represented Great Britain for the second time at the European Youth Driving Championships in Germany, where we won a bronze medal.’ Emily Viller

Charlie, 19
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Charlie, 19

‘Charlie was retired at 17 and put in a field as he had no rider, and his owner saw an advert (me) asking for a horse to ride. I hacked him out for a few months and fell in love! He was given to me for my 15th birthday just under a year ago. Since then we've done hunter trials, one-day-events, beach rides, dressage and much more. He's loving work more than ever!’ Anna Heritage

Teddy, 28
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Teddy, 28

‘Teddy is owned by Christine Bell-Scott, retired district commissioner of the West Warwickshire Pony Club. Teddy has taught numerous West Warwickshire branch children to ride and compete over the years and has been passed on to the next Pony Club home when children have out grown him — he is a Pony Club legend. My 10-year-old daughter Scarlett is the lucky one to have him on loan at the moment.’ Alyson Handford

Flash, 21
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Flash, 21

‘Jasmine Staunton and her pony Flash are still competing at showjumping for the South Notts Hunt branch of the Pony Club and BS. Flash is a superstar and very loved by Jas!’ Robert Staunton

Lady, 19
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Lady, 19

‘This is my cob mare "Lady" who is 19-years-old. She was purchased after her lifetime owner fell ill and she is now my hunter and fun horse.’ Sarah Camon

Gem, 29
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Gem, 29

‘This is Gem who is 29-years-young and she has been with me for 21 years. She is now retired from showjumping and eventing but she still competes in veteran showing classes. She really is so special and loves nothing more than a blast up a hill. She is my horse of a lifetime and I hope she can inspire others to keep their oldies going!’ — Becky Markillie

Domino Flashy Lad, 18
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Domino Flashy Lad, 18

‘I have owned Jacob since he was six-months-old when he was bought for me by my father as an unhandled colt. He still competes at the highest level and loves every moment.’ Lacey Smith

Never The Less, 19
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Never The Less, 19

‘This is Never The Less aka Charlie — bred by Pammy Hutton and competed for British Para Dressage by Natasha Baker. He's soon going to be 20 years old and competing in both veteran and normal dressage, as well as showing. Not bad with a combined age of over 80! He's an absolute superstar. I can't believe how lucky I was that he came to live with me.’ Ann Williams

Gilly, 23
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Gilly, 23

‘This is my 23-year-old Hanoverian mare Gilly. I've owned her for five years and she was my step up from ponies to horses. She has taught me so much and we both enjoy getting out and competing in veteran showing classes while we do everything else at home. Oldies are the best!’ Steph Child

Dolly May, 21
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Dolly May, 21

‘My daughter Maia Daniel (aged 13) rides an amazing 21-year-old pony. Dolly is owned by Mellisa Whitfield but Mellisa is now too old to compete her. Maia has been riding Dolly for three years now, starting their BS career in 2015. This year they decided to try something else and at the grand age of 21 Dolly May made her British Eventing debut.’

Rocky, 28
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Rocky, 28

Madeleine Silver
Madeleine Silver
Former features editor

A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.