by Sue Landis
It takes courage to get back into competitive riding after a lengthy break. There are two women in our endurance community who have done just that and have recently got back into the saddle with the support of family and friends. Their breaks from riding have been due to shifting focus to raise a family and to recover from illness. Here, briefly, are their stories.
Sylvia Ireland riding Miami.
Sylvia Ireland, based in Woodville, Manawatu credits her eldest daughter Kara for getting her riding again after a seven-year break. Sylvia reflected that after two lots of cancer and a knee and shoulder operation, life was short, and she had better get out and enjoy it and have fun. ‘It’s time for me’, she said, and despite only recently getting back into the saddle competitively again, her goal is to get to Nationals in Marlborough this year with a ‘truck full of horses’ including one for herself. You go Sylvia! We wish you all the best in achieving your goal.
Sarah Hamer with her stallion Glenvar Al-Ramadi.
Sarah Hamer from Oamaru, Otago hadn’t ridden endurance rides in nine years after she sold her mare Amira overseas and focused more on her family. Then fate and family intervened, and her daughter Jorja called to ask if she’d like to ride her stallion Glenvar Al-Ramadi (Ali) in his first 80km ride in a few weeks. Sarah immediately said yes, even though it felt ‘a little bit crazy’.
Sarah said, ‘Here was this totally unfit over 50-year-old that had only been on a horse about six or seven times in the last year about to compete on a newly broken stallion that she had never ridden before.’
Her children were a massive support, Sarah said, even a little bit over protective, as they got concerned about her every time she cantered. However her courage paid off, and Sarah and Ali completed their 80km comfortably. Sarah was so grateful that her children believed in her and never doubted she could do it. It was just what she needed to inspire her to get back in the saddle again.
Two courageous women who show it can be done!