Too old to jump at 50?

[Suzanne2]

I recently started jumping again after almost 30-year lay-off. It's certainly an adrenalin rush and much more frightening than last time round! Now I'm exhausted after a few minutes but like pushing myself a bit rather than just doling lazy hacks.

However, part of me fears I'm taking unnecessary risks and doing the equine version of a middle-aged man buying a Harley Davidson and black leathers to roar around the country trying to convince himself that he is still young. Are there many of us at a certain age who are jumping?

[Rebecca1969]

Good for you. That's crazy you're not too old. Didn't you hear, 50 is the new
30. That's what they say in the states. It's true. I'm almost 40, not far behind you. I feel riding keeps me young since I got back into it.

[doris]

I have a friend who's in his seventies and he still jumps and goes cross coutry as well.

[wanabe]

Suzanne, I will be 59 later this month and am now not just jumping in the arena, but also on drag hunts. I admit to having similar doubts. :o

BUT, I am out there doing it. BTW, one of our huntmasters is 63.

[Tally.]

As long as you enjoy it i cant think of a reason that you should stop :)

[julia gulia]

However, part of me fears I'm taking unnecessary risks and doing the equine version of a middle-aged man buying a Harley Davidson and black leathers to roar around the country trying to convince himself that he is still young. Are there many of us at a certain age who are jumping?


That made me laugh :p I bet you look great in your tight jods and black boots:D Just get out there and have some fun :D

[Ginger Thing]

It's not just novices who are at risk - my jumping instructor is a pro showjumper and recently had 3 falls over a few days off 3 different horses (inc her own who fell over with her :eek:) and she is in her fifties! I can't use the excuse of being nearly 38 with her when I want to wimp out!

There used to be a lady in her seventies on our yard who hunted regularly on her mad 17hh ex-racehorse - and that was with a hip replacement!

[coverblown]

I

.......doing the equine version of a middle-aged man buying a Harley Davidson and black leathers to roar around the country trying to convince himself that he is still young.

Exactly! I often think that; but I never rode when I was young; and I love jumping! 51 now. Not done much of it since the broken back but hopefully next lesson I'll be back to it. Not much more than poles on the ground for me these days, but they'll go up over time, here's hoping

[wanabe]

You had to throw that "since the broken back" in there, didn't you? :eek: :)

[Skib]

When I was in my first year learning, I went to a new school aged 63 and they had another lady there who had also learned to ride over 60.

She was completely the opposite of me.

She only rode one particular mare.
She never rode outside the school.
And she jumped.

Her son had insisted she wear a body protector when jumping. But at that school, jumping was not considered high risk for a novice o.a.p.

[Lucyad]

What!? One of the pople in my recent team hunter trial (cross country) was 71! OK, we did blame senile dementia when he galloped off in the wrong direction at one point...). But I suspect he would have something to say if I told him that he was too old to jump!:eek:

[Shire Monster]

Certainly not!!! If you are physically capable and not mentally terrified by the idea (a bit nervous is allowed ;)) then I'd go for it, but sayin that I'd be the first to talk someone into a Harley and leathers too :D

[Cobgirl]

Lol, good for you!! I am 57 and back riding after a 40 year break (where do the years go to!) I used to jump in my younger days and who knows, if I keep on, I might be back jumping - or not! Watch this space.....

[rubysmum]

50 is no age at all - ask my mum - still swimming competatively in her 70s, playing golf & teaching yoga - i'm jumping badly at 47 and am seriously considering a litttle bit of hunting this season - njoy it hunni:):)

[rtk]

I'm in my 50's now :rolleyes:

You couldn't talk me into starting jumping again I'm a wimp now, but the Harley sounds great (not just middle aged MEN you know), just cant afford one without getting rid of one of the horses :mad:

Once tried to carry feed buckets on a 750 Honda, dont recommend it :D

[Suzanne2]

Isn't this internet stuff just brilliant! You think you're the only one out there doing something that may possibly be insane and then you discover you're in good company. Thanks guys.

[cwb]

Too old at 50 - blimey, your just a babe in arms :D

I'm 59 and planning on jumping before I get my free bus pass next year - I only started riding again 3 months ago and I am already cantering over poles in 2 point.

[poohsmate]

Too old at 50 - blimey, your just a babe in arms :D

I'm 59 and planning on jumping before I get my free bus pass next year - I only started riding again 3 months ago and I am already cantering over poles in 2 point.

Well done you!! i reached 60 this year:eek: not only get free bus pass and winter fuel allowance but, free prescriptions LOL:D:D

on a horsey note im still jumping (and falling off) and have no plans to pack up yet!!! Go for it suzanne2:D:D

[ANN H]

Rubbish - get on with it and enjoy it. I'm 50 in March and LOVE jumping.

[cwb]

not only get free bus pass and winter fuel allowance but, free prescriptions

hehehe - so it is cheaper to fall off if you are over 60 :D

[poohsmate]

hehehe - so it is cheaper to fall off if you are over 60 :D


LOL never thought of it like that :D:D:D

[Mary Poppins]

You are as old as you feel as my mum would say. My mum is 63 and still goes windsurfing every summer. She has never been interested in riding but if she was she certainly wouldn't be put off by age. Have a go and enjoy yourself - you only live once after all.

[Kady A]

Go for it!

There was a gentleman (definitely in the over 50's) who was jumping at the Trailblazers Finals this year. Every time he was jumping we deserted our trade stand to cheer him on! He might not have been the most stylish rider, but my goodness he jumped every round with a great big smile on his face! :D

[Afellpony]

I'm in my mid 50s and I still jump my pony. He absolutely loves it and so do I. I dont think it's anything to do with age but a question of fitness and confidence. Falcon loves jumping so it would be a shame if I didn't let him have some fun whenever possible. I also love jumping. On saying that, I dont think I could be bothered going into competitions now - all those rules etc.
On saying that: regarding competitions watch this space!

[alpha1]

Here is something that I posted ages ago. It is from the sports section of "The Buenos Aires Herald" commenting on a local annual international showjumping competition.

"At Heras El Carpricho Brazilian Jose Luis Guimaraes de Carvalho with Land Graceful won the 1.50m in 65.01 seconds..... The forever young Americo Simonetti of Chile, who at 70 is riding better than ever was second aboard his stallion AS Fe Grande in 66.79 seconds"

Now 1.5m is just a shade under 5 foot, and it seems to me, that no matter how long you have been riding, if, at 70, someone can come 2nd by less than 2 seconds riding a stallion in an international show over a serious set of jumps, in your 50s you have no limits.

[icegirl]

We all seem to be at it in our fifties dont we.:cool:
I suppose it all depends on what you mean by jumping. I was very chuffed to have jumped over a pole which I would estimate at about eight inches off the ground last week!! I might even do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cazrider]

I'm 50 and neither me nor my horse jump. BUT where I keep him we can ride for free on the local cross country course and the owner has hatched a plan to get us jumping by offering an adult novice/beginner training day using the baby jumps, which she's insisting I go on. And do you know what, I'm really looking forward to it.(might not be when it comes to the morning:rolleyes:) Body protectors to the fore!:D

So no, definitely not too old.:D

NB, anyone in my area of Essex would be welcome to come along too. I'll be the one peering around the bay section d trying to pretend I'm not there.

[dan54]

Hi, all, not been on the site long myself two or three days.
I didn't ride as a child but I'm making up for it now! :)
I didn't learn to ride untill later on in life (45) would of been somewhat difficult to fund whilst bringing up a young family.
So know its my time to do the things I put off.
I had given some thought into owning my own and so before I jumped in, I went and did an NVQ in horse care management to understand the needs of a horse, as I didn't want to go in blind.
I then bought dan, who has the experience, he was 15 when I bought him.My daughter and myself look after dan, we have a lot of fun together.
He had been a three day International eventer but is as gentle as a lamb.He has taught me so much.
I'm 53 next month and this is dan and myself last month. Age is just a number, get out and do it.

[DavidH]

I sincerly hope 50 is not too old to jump.
I reckon my new lad could get to lower level Grand Prix SJ (1.40m) but will take me atleast 3 years to get him there. That puts me in to my 50's :eek:
If I have to stop at 50 then I might as well give up now.
Guess I will stop when my mental age reaches 50. As Its about 18 now I reckon I have a few years left in me :D

[Smartie Pants2]

Well I'm 44 and still jumping, although I must say the old bones are creaking a bit more, just keep enjoying yourself, but just remember we don't bounce quite so well on the ground:eek:

[Morganna]

50 is not too old at all and I hope to still be riding and jumping when I reach that age myself so it better not be too old :eek:

I have a very good friend at my yard who is happily jumping 2'9 and is in her 60's I think.

[lor]

Our hunt secretary was out on Boxing day last year at the age of 81 !!! and most of the meets before that.

You are a mear youngster!:D

[colettybetty]

l know a lady well in her 90's who hunts on a very fresh chestnut Arab mare.Grow old disgracefully, l am!

[Peanut]

l know a lady well in her 90's who hunts on a very fresh chestnut Arab mare.Grow old disgracefully, l am!

Good for her ..... and sound advice from you! :p

[oldpunk]

There used to be a lady in her seventies on our yard who hunted regularly on her mad 17hh ex-racehorse - and that was with a hip replacement!

A few years ago, there was lively debate in Horse and Hound re the best time of year for a hip replacement so as to avoid missing too much hunting!

50 too old? I hope not!! At 46, on a veteran pony we still have fun but we do keep it small and have a bit of a rest after. :D

[Afellpony]

Who makes these 'rules' to say when one is too old or one isn't? If a person is fit and feels fine about jumping then they should do it. I love jumping and would be absolutely mortified if anyone told me I had to stop as I'm too old. I'd probably dismount and hit that person!!!! (By the way, I throw a hard punch)!!!
If you feel ok about it do it. If you feel at all apprehensive dont do it. If anyone feels like dictating to us old girls what we can and cant do, you're in for a rough ride!!!!!!! (Lorralarffs)!!!!!!;)

[cwb]

Afellpony - us old guys can get pretty grumpy too! :D

(Only two days till my FIRST jump - keep fingers crossed that the weather is OK for Weds!)

[Afellpony]

I wonder if the mods would let us grumpy old girls and guys over 50 have a message board all to ourselves. It would be different from the 'oldies' message board as it would be full of complaints from us old ex 60s hippies!!!!!!

[Afellpony]

Icegirl, our 50s seem a good time to be at it!!!!!:eek:

[artemis]

I have a friend who is in her late sixties & she still events.

[goeslikestink]

i am 52-- and still compete jumping eventing x/c hunter trails etc
you name it i do it and iam not scared-- of big fences either

[Afellpony]

CWB I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you for Wednesday. Godd luck with your jumping.

[Afellpony]

Yes Ice Girl, we all seem to be at and, long may it be so!!!!

[Afellpony]

CWB - only 1 more day to go now until your first jump I see. Hope all goes to plan.

[Waterhouse]

At I've just bought my first pony (17hh but who's counting) and a subscription to my local hunt. I had my second jump lesson yesterday...

And I've got the motorbike. It hurts for longer when you fall off but it's no longer uncool to have all the safety kit, and use it

[dan54]

i am 52-- and still compete jumping eventing x/c hunter trails etc
you name it i do it and iam not scared-- of big fences either

Good for you, and ditto!:)

[Mossy]

Why not? if you can, DO!!! Not been out yet this season but in foulweather hunts on Dartmoor the ones left in at the end are all over a certain age! the youngsters have nto got the stamina.

[Ms Kitty]

Why not indeed? I will be playing Polo as long as I can stay in the saddle, even if it means someone has to lift me there! :p

Nina x

[BillyBellman]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/07/26/soeque126.xml

If he can do it at 52, why can't you?! :)

[katefarmer]

. Are there many of us at a certain age who are jumping?

Oh, a few names spring to mind... John Whitaker (53), Michael Whitaker (47), Mary King (48), Tim Stockdale (50) ... all names we hope and expect to be cheering for at Beijing - I think equestrian sport is one of the few that really isn't ageist. I mean, it's the horse that does the jumping, isn't it? I don't think there are many horses still jumping at over 50 (:p) but for riders I don't think it's an issue. You need some basic fitness - and that's what you need to build up if you're getting puffed - and a little core strength is important for your balance and position - but that's all. You confidence will improve with practice too - then you'll be back where you were a couple of decades ago - only with a bit more cunning and control - which is just as useful as the bravado of youth - especially in those tight cornered jump-offs! :D

I'm going to be 50 in a few weeks - and certainly have no intention of stopping jumping - in fact I'm just getting going with my newest horse! :D

[cwb]

CWB - only 1 more day to go now until your first jump I see. Hope all goes to plan.

Yup - it went to plan, except that Tetley picks his feet up so high anyway that he just cantered straight over it :eek: so it didn't feel a lot different - I suspect that this is part of the RIs plan and I expect to find those poles raised a bit more while I am not looking! ;)

See my other post http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128074

[Roseanne]

My philosophy for whatever I do in life has nothing to do with age, and more to do with "if you want to do it, do it" - what other people might think is totally irrelevant - same with what I need to say!

Have Fun! :)

Quote: Old Age - does it still exist? Let us know when you get there!

Roseanne xxxxxx