Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024

Body Work And A ‘Unicorn’ Keep Amateur Jumper, 70, In Winning Form

PUBLISHED
Brought to you by

ADVERTISEMENT

Going first at an indoor final might intimidate some riders, but amateur jumper rider Tinita Hughes prefers it. The 70-year-old rider and her longtime partner, 17-year-old Hanoverian mare Proximo, kept their cool as they headed into the 1.10-meter NAL Amateur Jumper Welcome speed class Oct. 2 at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, setting the pace that none of the other 22 exhibitors could catch. 

“We tend to go well if we go first,” Hughes said. “If I watch too many [competitors] go, I start to worry and change my plan. It’s hard to beat my horse, she’s my unicorn.”

Hearing her name announced as the winner brought tears to Hughes’ eyes as she headed back into the ring to take the winner’s circle photo. 

Tinita Hughes and her “unicorn” Proximo won the 1.10-meter NAL Amateur Jumper Welcome speed class Oct. 2 at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Shawn McMillan Photography Photo

“To bring home a blue ribbon from an indoors final is a big deal for me,” she said. “Setting the pace at the beginning like that—it makes others try really hard to beat you, and then they make mistakes. At the end of the class, Jimmy Torano came over to [my trainer and daughter] Lee [Hughes] and he was so complimentary of me. He couldn’t believe that I had held the lead after going first in the class, and he also couldn’t believe that I am 70!”

Tinita and Lee, who owns Promenade Farm, a hunter/jumper training business based in Athens, Georgia, came to the Capital Challenge with “Bunny,” who Lee even plaited for her mom’s classes, which was a very special gesture for Tinita. 

“When Lee was a junior, I used to braid Lee’s horses when she showed,” Tinita said. “That is, until I broke my hand. Then everyone told me that my braids weren’t that good anyway, but it was a way to save some money back then!”

ADVERTISEMENT

In the $10,000 NAL 1.15-meter Amateur Jumper Final on Oct. 3, Tinita and Bunny were clear in the first round but made an unfortunate mistake in the jump-off, which resulted in Tinita jumping the last four fences with one stirrup. The pair ended up clear but they were slower than the leader, earning sixth place.

“You have a really good class and then sometimes you make a little mistake,” Tinita said. “Honestly, I’m very pleased to have placed in two classes at an indoor final. The speed class win was really special for me.” 

Tinita next plans to contest the WIHS Adult Jumper Championship Final in the Prince George Equestrian Center’s indoor ring during the Washington International Horse Show, Oct. 21-27.

Over the years, Tinita and Bunny, her partner of 9 1/2 years, have had much success in the adult jumper ring, most notably picking up a 1.10-meter adult jumper circuit championship at Blowing Rock (North Carolina) in 2022 and winning the 1.10-meter adult jumper championship at last November’s Atlanta Fall Classic II Horse Show (Georgia). While at home, Tinita likes to take Bunny out for trail rides to keep the mare’s mind and body fresh for the horse shows. 

“Lee has really been very influential in helping our partnership grow,” Tinita said. “Bunny likes me and I like her, and that makes a good combination.”

“If you’ve trained a senior rider properly and they’re confident, then don’t hold them back because you’re scared of what may happen,” 70-year-old amateur jumper Tinita Hughes said. Photo Courtesy Of Tinita Hughes

Although Tinita has always had horses in her life, starting with 4-H and saddle seat as a kid, she did not start riding seriously until her 30s and was not competing at horse shows until her 40s. She has foxhunted, done some endurance riding, dabbled in the hunters, and eventually settled into the jumper ring. 

“I do think it’s harder when you’re an older rider,” Tinita said. “I will admit that the young kids intimidate me a bit—they’ve come up through the ranks and ridden a lot of horses. I haven’t ridden as many horses as they have. But I do have a good horse and that’s everything.” 

ADVERTISEMENT

Tinita is involved in the farm, helping to pick stalls and do daily chores in the barn, as well as riding six days a week and exercising to complement her saddle time. 

“I would rather pick a stall than dust my house,” she said with a laugh. “I go to the gym and do a ‘Fit Body Forever’ class, which focuses on coordination and movement. I think that helps me a lot with balance, which we start to lose as we get older. Going to classes helps you focus on your weaker side.” 

When her husband Jeff was stationed in China for his job years ago, Tinita learned about Eastern medicine practices and the benefits of preventative therapies, and she incorporates some of them into her regular routine. 

Tinita Hughes and “Bunny” smile for the camera. Photo Courtesy Of Tinita Hughes

“Trying to work on balance is the biggest thing, I think,” Tinita said. “I do a deep tissue massage once a month and I also go to Core Restore, which helps me with body realignment. It’s kind of a cross between chiropractic and physical therapy—I started it after I broke my ankle. I have one hip that will drop, and Chris [Verdi, owner of Core Restore] has gotten me balanced in the saddle again. Whatever he does, it’s like magic—I can stay on now.”

Whenever someone asks her age at horse shows, Tinita laughs. She does not take it personally at all. 

“If you’re ever at the in-gate with me, there’s one barn that calls me ‘The Flying Grandma,’ ” she said with a laugh. “I have a problem with some of the aches and pains that come with my age, but I feel lucky to be able to do this; I didn’t have a chance to as a child.”

Tinita is a firm believer that age is just a number and that the tools to succeed are always at one’s fingertips. “When I ride with trainers [other than my daughter], I find that they don’t work you as hard as their junior students,” she said. “But I want to learn and be competitive in this sport. I also want to have the skills to get myself out of a bad situation [should one arise] so I can help myself. 

“I realize that not all of the senior riders feel this way, and that’s OK too—some are very happy in the hunter rings,” she added. “We’re all different and we all have different priorities. But if you’ve trained a senior rider properly and they’re confident, then don’t hold them back because you’re scared of what may happen.”

ADVERTISEMENT

EXPLORE MORE

Follow us on

Sections

Copyright © 2024 The Chronicle of the Horse