People who show horses know they can practice and practice their tests, but once they enter the arena, their brains sometimes go "poof."
That didn't happen Saturday to Michele Smith and her horse, Romeo, when they reached a big milestone as members of the U.S. Dressage Foundation's Century Club.
"Oh yeah," Smith said afterward, relieved to be done. "I was glad I remembered my test."
If you add up the years Smith and Romeo have been on this planet, that number comes to 100, which means they are eligible for the Century Club. All they have to do is complete any permitted dressage test successfully, and they are in.
That's not as easy as it sounds as people and their horses are older, but they managed without a hitch.
"I took him in (the show arena) earlier, and he was pretty fresh," she said of her feisty friend, who is a 27-year-old quarter horse. "I thought, 'Oh no, there's not going to be a halt.'"
The pair chose Introductory Test B, which is a flowing test with two circles and two gaits - walk and trot - eliminating the need to canter. For her ride, Smith chose to use her sidesaddle, although that was not a requirement.
Smith taught at William Woods from 1981-87, and then took a non-horse job for a couple of years. She then worked in the equestrian program at Stephens College (Columbia) and retired after 17 years - or so she thought. Despite the fact she and her husband, Phil, have their own farm, her retirement was unsuccessful. She came back to William Woods in 2010 to teach a few classes, and is now back to teaching full time.
She's also just back from taking students fox hunting in Afton, Virginia, and has a team competing in St. Louis at a weekend show.