Horse champions, any that started to rid after eleven?

Question

Hi, I was googeling the net on this subject and the first thing that hit me was that all these "horse champions" started riding horses at a really early age, like 4 and upp to 11 years old. So my question is if anyone knows some that actually started later then that?

Answer 1

Ages 9 to 11 seem to be about latest I have heard of, though most of the people whose careers I have followed for years usually started much earlier than that. One of the later ones that I am aware of is Michael Matz, Barbaro's trainer. He didn't start riding until he was 11, and didn't make his first Olympic appearance until he was 25. As for people who started beyond the age of 11, I haven't heard of very many. Event rider Denny Emerson started his riding career at a summer camp when he was 9, and I think that Katie Prudent started earlier than that riding ponies. The earliest age that a person can compete internationally for the US and other countries is usually 18, and the rules are set up for this. This is why you never see kids ( especially young teens) riding in the Olympics, the way you typically see them in other sports, such as gymnastics, swimming, and track. Anyone who wishes to ride in the Games must have passed their 18th birthday under international rules.  It's true that most people who are champions in this sport start very young- they have to, because it often takes a lifetime to learn to ride well enough to be in contention for a medal. Starting late puts people at a disadvantage- that's probably why not many of them do it.

Answer 2

Leading jockey Chris McCarron didn't start riding until he was 18.  He grew up in Boston and wanted to play hockey as a kid.  He ended up winning over $250 million in purses and races including the Kentucky Derby, Breeder's Cup Classic, etc.

Answer 3

I think Michael Matz, who was an Olympic-calibre jumper rider before he took up training Thoroughbreds (he was Barbaro's trainer), began riding relatively late in his teens.  I'm pretty sure there are others.

Answer 4

My grandmother, has been all around cowgirl for two years in a row, she has been to the American Quarter Horse World, and has won numerous 1st place ribbons at the American royal in Kansas.  She has also been in various circuits, and she started riding at 50.