Senior rider earning her USDF Gold Medal

[Palogal5]

My dear friend Rita whom I've been riding with for several years has earned her Gold Medal!
Keep an eye out in USDF Connection and the Chronicle for articles about her. At the time she earned it she was
the oldest rider EVER to achieve this! 73 yrs young!! She trained her German Riding Pony up from a 3 yr. old herself. Several roadblocks along the way and a truly inspirational story.
A classic story of someone never giving up and never giving in.

[Chisamba]

very cool!!

[VBOpie]

Can't wait to read more about her!

[bailey]

Inspiring, wonderful to hear. How lucky are you to know her personally, I'll bet she's quite a woman!

[westisbest]

Yes very inspiring, please post any links to her story when it comes out!

[Palogal5]

I will definitely let everyone know when articles come out. After much urging from several people she has decided to attend the USDF Convention to pick up her medal in person.

I have to tell a funny story that may not make it into a magazine.... This horse of hers is such a wonderful, solid citizen. Never once misbehaved in the show ring until....the show where she got her final score. She blasted across the diagonal in the extended canter and when she half halted to bring him back he went into a bucking spree! I busted out laughing... I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. Then I thought, oh horrors, the "dreaded" zig zag is coming up next. I don't know how but she wrangled him onto the centerline and did the best zig zag she had ever done! It was certainly FOREWARD
And since this was a local show a lot of her family and friends were there to witness it. Such a cool weekend!

[Palogal5]

http://womenofageridinghorses.com/2016/ ... t-her-way/

[westisbest]

That's so great! I sent this link to my two older riding barn buddies. I'll follow the FB page as well.. thx.

[Sunshine2Me]

The rider (your friend) is 73 years old?!?!?! I would have NEVER guessed that!!

Kudos to her and what a great story!

[Palogal5]

Yes indeed! 73 and humbles me with her physical stamina. The clinicians she rides with cut her zero slack. You can't believe how hard she can ride.
I would be gasping or fainting...

[LeoApp]

That is fantastic! Great story!

[Kelo]

This is amazing.

[Palogal5]

There is another article in COTH magazine. Oct 24th issue I think. Really well written.