Margie Engle wins Leading Lady Rider at the Winter Equestrian Festival

Margie Engle telling a joke at the inaugural Hall of Fame dinner — Margie Engle still in the mix at 64, pictured here at the Showjumping Hall of Fame Dinner

(Image credit: Showjumping Hall of Fame)

While many 60 somethings might be thinking about putting their feet up and eyeing up retirement, Margie Engle, who turned 64 this week, far from hanging up her spurs, has landed the overall Martha W Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title at the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF].

“It is a great honor,” said Margie, who represented the USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. “I have not won the overall award in several years and there are a lot of top female athletes competing here. To be competitive with them is a great feeling.”

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Sarah Eakin is an international equestrian journalist who writes for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including Horse & Hound, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph in the UK. A former Pony Club team member for dressage, showjumping and eventing, Sarah’s mother trained National Hunt horses and she and her three brothers also played polo. Formerly married to a US professional polo player, Sarah is currently based in Wellington, Florida.

At 64, Margie Engle is far from hanging up her spurs at the Winter Equestrian Festival

The Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award is given in memory of fellow realtor and horsewoman Dale Lawler and was presented weekly during WEF to the high-score female rider based on performances in that week’s WEF Challenge Cup and featured grand prix event.

Margie competes today in the climax event of WEF, the $500,000 CSI5* Rolex grand prix on the Stadium Derby field – start time 11am. The entry list of 50 riders reads like a Who’s Who of the WEF show circuit and even a seasoned gambler would be hard pushed to pick a cert.

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