Watch 88-year-old take back the reins after 50-year break
An 88-year-old horse lover has taken back the reins after a 50-year break from driving.
Mary Cope grew up on a farm in Yorkshire and drove and rode a former pit pony called Vim in her childhood.
Ms Cope and Vim delivered milk from Kiverton to neighbouring village Harthill.
She continued to drive as an adult and bought a donkey when her daughter Liz was born.
Ms Cope drove the donkey until Liz was taught to ride it at two years old.
Since then, she stayed out of the driving seat, but 50 years later, out of the blue, she decided to give it a go once more.
“My partner’s pony Cookie just happened to be harnessed up when my mum called in and she didn’t need asking twice if she wanted a drive,” Lincolnshire-based Liz told H&H.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“She went off round the yard as if she’d always done it and was so happy.
Continued below…
14 galloping grannies (who probably go faster than you) *PICTURES*
Leaping giant hedges, out-galloping teenagers and always the
H&H Champs: 71-year-old Sally Pidsley takes the 70cm honours
The grandmother from Devon held her nerve to
Grandmother scores first BE win aged 69
'They say everyone has a horse of a
“Cookie has given lots of visitors to our yard a taste of driving, is the ultimate companion for any unsettled youngsters and has also won local showing in hand.”
Liz, who has recently started eventing, said her mother has always been “incredibly supportive” of her riding, taking her to shows on ponies as a child and supporting her at competitions later in life.
“I just hope that her attitude and enthusiasm are genetic, and I’m half as active and independent at 88,” added Liz.
Don’t miss this week’s Horse & Hound magazine featuring cover star Upsilon, the impressive French eventing stallion, plus we reflect on the thrills and spills from past European Championships. Also, read about detecting lameness and our reports from Aachen — including all the dressage, showjumping and eventing action —and much more.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.