58 SIDELINES AUGUST 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Jenny Johnson
Ginny Wegener of Canon City, Colorado, recently turned 90
years old but isn’t letting age slow her down. She is a two-time
member of The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club and contin-
ues to ride and care for her horse, RT Loki. She said, “I plan to
continue my horse activities until at least 95. I always had it in my
head and heart to be an active rider and participate in horse ac-
tivities. Exercise keeps me moving and clinics increase my knowl-
edge and keep my brain moving. Determination, passion, as well
as good genes have gotten me here. Seniors can do it!”
Sidelines caught up with Ginny and asked her to share some
stories from her horse life, as well as advice she has for other
riders:
How did you become involved with horses and dressage?
My first involvement with horses was as a 16-year-old in Kansas
City where I lived with my family. I would ride my bike many blocks
to the riding stables. I made friends with one of the stable men
and he would let me ride the horse to my house, even over train
bridges and waterways. It was thrilling to me. I didn’t own my own
horse until I was 58 years old. At that time I said to myself, “I would
like to become a rider,” so I purchased a young Arabian geld-
ing named MHR Handsome, Sam for short. Sam was my team-
mate for my first Century Club ride in October 2002 and he was
with me until after his 39th birthday. We shared many adventures!
Do you have a favorite horse-related memory?
My favorite memory…well of course there are many. But to
pick one, I remember when Sam was in a horse show and re-
ceived a blue ribbon. We were all standing under a tree and I had
Sam standing close to me. A friend had brought champagne and
glasses. As we all raised our glasses to make a toast to Sam, he
reached over my shoulder and slurped every drop of the cham-
pagne. He was quite surprised and we all laughed!
What do you enjoy most about riding dressage?
After Sam came into my life, there were several dressage shows
in my area and I was really drawn to learning how to become a
e
dressage rider. I enjoyed the challenge of riding to the tests and
increasing my abilities as well as Sam’s. Sam was very well suited
to the discipline. Now that Sam is no longer here I ride my Nor-
wegian Fjord, Loki, and did my second Century Club ride on him
in May 2010 at the age of 87. Loki is a great guy! He is 14.2 and I
am five feet tall, so we are a perfect match at this time in my life.
What advice do you have for young riders?
When I was raising my three girls, Carol, Diane and Su, the
older two became interested in having horses. I think the involve-
ment my teenage girls had with their horses and animals kept
them busy and out of trouble, as well as teaching them so many
life skills. To this day they love their horses as do some of their
children. To the younger generation I would say: Follow your pas-
sion (I hope it is horses). Always love your work, stay positive,
and honor the commitment to protect and care for such wonderful
partners in your life as horses!
About the writer: Jenny Johnson is the Administrative Director
at The Dressage Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to
that full-time job, she also has the full-time job of being a wife,
a mom to three children, and “mom” to her 20-year-old Quarter
Horse who she’s owned for 19 years.
Photos courtesy of Ginny Wegener
Still Riding At 90!
Ginny and Loki at their Century Club ride in 2010 when Ginny
was 87 and Loki was 15.
Ginny and Sam at their Century Club ride in 2002, when Ginny
was 79 and Sam was 29.
The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club is a program
designed to honor senior dressage riders and their senior
horses. To become a member the ages of the horse and rider
must add up to at least 100 years and they must ride any level
dressage test before a judge or dressage professional. For
more information on the Dressage Foundation, please visit
