Like a Fine Wine, Horses Improve with Age

[[ad|nids=7441]]Like a fine wine, the best money you can spend is on a horse with some age. Very early in my career, which was not yesterday, I realized the key to success in this business was well-suited horses, pure and simple. For professional riders, as well as for junior and amateurs, nothing is more important than what you are sitting on. Fast on the heels of that epiphany was the realization that seasoned experienced horses trumped young beautiful ones every single time.

Age is Good

For over 30 years older horses have been the backbone of our program. The biggest challenge I have with older horses is convincing customers of their value. The romantic and terrifying concept of a horse and rider "growing together" has a pernicious grip in the youth culture we live in. 

We try to counteract that incorrect concept with the idea that if you play with a more experienced tennis partner you’re assured your game will improve. It only takes one generous and kind campaigner to make believers out of even the naysayers.  When they experience the joy of having their, or their child's, accomplishments, skills and confidence skyrocket under the tutelage of a proven equine partner, we just smile. 

Dollars and Sense

When it comes to financial value, the older horse wins hands down. Of course an older horse depreciates with each passing day; however the initial cost is often more modest given their age, even with their extensive resumes.  Once they need to move on, it is easy enough to place in a good home, maybe jumping a division down for their next lucky owner.

This type of guarantee is quite a contrast to the risks associated with younger horses. No matter how much appeal the potential a young horse may have, it's just that, potential.  For a number of reasons, often out of your control, that potential may not be realized.  That type of frustrating conclusion is not arrived at without an excessive amount of time and dollars invested and the result does not benefit the rider’s accomplishments, confidence or skills. Once at this point another difficulty arises - trying to find a new home for an unsuccessful, unreliable and possibly unsound young horse.

Maintain With Gain

Interestingly enough I have had really good luck maintaining our older horses soundness, while the vast majority of our soundness "problems" have occurred in developing younger horses.

My husband and business partner, Charlie, compares this to college vs. NFL professional players. Nobody knows how those college players are going to hold up to the rigors of playing football long-term, but the NFL veterans have very clearly demonstrated that they have what it takes for many seasons.

While all of the above may seem perfectly logical for juniors and amateurs to both enjoy and advance their riding, I personally have experienced my greatest joys as well as successes with older horses.  Apparently these winners were far from done with their best days when came our way. For them, age was just a number.  So choose when to buy a bottle of fine wine, before during or after finding the ideal aged equine. 

Murkas Rockstar owned by Kimberly Butts.

This horse came to the US as a14 year old after an illustrious career as an open horse in Europe.  In 2008, he placed in every single Grand Prix he started in, including winning a World Cup qualifying Grand Prix. This consistency continued until 2010 when he became a nearly unbeatable amateur horse for several years with his owner Kimberly. Photo Credit  Todd Sutherland.

Traveler with his owner Christine O'Hanlon

After only showing the first half of HITS Thermal this year, virtually undefeated, Traveler was Circuit Champion in the Adult Amateur Jumpers. This is after he won the first Grand Prix held at HITS Thermal several years ago with Macella. Photo Credit Deb Dawson Photo.

Wakyra

The spectacular chestnut mare joined the Diamond Mountain Stables team in her 15th year. Haley Schwab earned a Silver Medal at the challenging North American Young Riders Championships in Lexington on Wakyra.  Haley also was named 2013 PCHA Grand Prix Rookie of the Year, in no small part due to placing in every single Grand Prix she competed in on Wakyra the spring of that year.  And now the mare is forging a partnership with new owner Christine O' Hanlon. Photo Credit Tass Jones Photo.

Castello

At 18 years of age winner of the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic at the Sonoma Horse Park in June with his adorable junior rider and upcoming Diamond Mountain Stables star Ruthie Foley. Photo Credit Deb Dawson Photo.

Boccaccio

The beautiful 14-year-old gelding owned by Colleen May and ridden by Macella has been consistent in the Grand Prix arena since his arrival in this country last year. We feel pretty certain that his best is yet to come! Photo Credit Sutherland 2014.

Murka's Rockstar and Charlie, with owner/rider Kimberly Butts in his retirement ceremony last year, after an illustrious career as an unbeatable open horse and amateur jumper. Photo Credit Becky Mclver.

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