Ride of the Century

When 76-year-old Marion Sindorf mounted Suavicito, a horse owned by Laurie Collins, two weekends ago, she stepped right into the history books.

Sindorf joined the Century Club, a program offered by the U.S. Dressage Federation. Suavicito is either 26 or 28 years old, and when added to Sindorf's 76 years, the total exceeds the 100 required years to become a member of the club.

"I was pretty surprised because a lot of people turned out to watch me ride and get into the club," Sindorf said. "They had a nice cake and everything. They treated it as a big deal."

That's because it is a big deal -- only 18 riders in the United States have become members of the club going into this season.

Not too many horses compete in dressage competitions into their late 20s, making it even more difficult on older riders trying to get into the exclusive club. Some of the top horses usually are finished by the time they reach their mid 20s, Sindorf said.

Even if this year didn't work out for Sindorf, she was prepared to join the club next season.

"I've got a horse that is 22 right now, and next year, it'll be 23 and I'll be 77," Sindorf explained. "I'm probably going to do it again next year."

To become a member, you can't just hop on a horse and call it good. You have to complete a dressage test -- one that doesn't take into consideration the ages of either the horse or the rider. If you fail the test, you aren't in the club.

Sindorf said she didn't have to worry because Suavicito took care of business.

"He was a very good horse to ride. Very cooperative," Sindorf said.

Sindorf got into dressage and equestrian events more than 30 years ago. "Basically, because of peer pressure," she joked.

Dressage was in Europe for hundreds of years, but Sindorf said she first became acquainted with the sport in the 1960s when it started to become more popular in America. Sindorf's good friend Katie Long got interested in the sport in Alaska.

"She got into it seriously, and I kind of picked it up through her," Sindorf said. "It's something I enjoy. It's relaxing to me, and gives me a sense of accomplishment."

Long laughed when told of being "accused" of hooking Sindorf on the sport. "She was raised on a cattle ranch in New Mexico, and was riding horses her whole life," Long said. "She is an amazing woman. I can't believe the energy she has. Everybody loves her."

Joining the Century Club doesn't even begin to describe Sindorf, her friends say. Sindorf has participated in numerous programs for different groups -- from the adaptive riding program for disabled children to 4-H shows and the Drivin' Me Buggy Society -- all while competing and maintaining her horses.

"She is always available to help anyone who wants it," Long said. "That's in addition to her work at the library and church. She just goes and goes."

Katie Rousey is another fan of Sindorf's. She said Sindorf serves as an example of staying forever young.

"She is so well respected and everyone holds her high," Rousey said. "She quietly helps people out all the time. She's quite a gal."

When she's not working with groups, volunteering her time or working around the house, chances are you can find Sindorf training a horse. She said the real joy of dressage comes from training a horse to compete, and then getting the full potential from the horse in competition.

"I would take very little pleasure in taking a made horse and testing with it," Sindorf said.

"I like to try to develop a bond with the horse and put in the years training with it. For me, that's what it's all about," she added.

And that can take years. Sindorf has one filly she has been riding for two years in anticipation of testing next summer, possibly.

"I've taken two horses to the second level [of testing]," she said. "It's pretty intensive."

Sindorf said she used to enjoy jumping horses, but one event changed that.

"My husband asked me to quit jumping horses after Christopher Reeve was thrown and paralyzed," Sindorf said. "It can happen to anyone."

Since then, Sindorf has stuck to dressage, and with great results.

She annually competes in several shows a season, and plans to continue.

All of the testing and training takes its toll on Sindorf, who many claim is a 76-year-old with the youthfulness of a woman half her age.

She said during the winter, it would be nice to sit in the house and enjoy the season, but taking care of horses is almost a full-time job.

"There is always something to do when you have animals," she said with a chuckle.

She is driving carts during the Alaska State Fair show, which is the final one of the year. She is already starting to think about next season, however.

"I've got a lesson in an hour for next year's season," she said Tuesday morning.