S.C. Upstate Equine Council Horse Show Features Special Milestone

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Equestrians from across the Upstate welcomed a new member to the Dressage Foundation’s Century Club as Linda Hostetler and her horse made an appearance at the Upstate Equine Council’s Spring Fling Horse Show at the T. Ed. Garrison Area.

The club recognizes when the combined ages of the rider and the horse are more than 100 years, and with Hostetler 74 at age 77, and her horse age 24. Her trainer is Rachel Owens of Liberty Acres Dressage in Pendleton.

She plans to keep riding as long as she can.

“I was born loving horses, and it never goes away,” she said.

The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club is one of the most coveted titles for North American senior riders and a rite of passage for lifelong horsemen and women.

The purpose of the Equine Council’s annual Upstate Equestrian Spring Open Horse Show is to provide a competitive and educational platform for equestrians to showcase their skills in various disciplines, such as hunter/jumper, dressage, and other riding events. It typically serves as a gathering for riders of different experience levels, ranging from amateurs to professionals, to compete in a friendly and supportive environment.

In addition to the competition, the event also offers opportunities for spectators to enjoy the sport, interact with the equestrian community, and learn more about horsemanship and the equestrian lifestyle. This show often attracts competitors, trainers, and equine enthusiasts from across the region, helping to promote the sport and raise awareness about the equestrian community.