Juggling Acts: How Older Riders Find Motivation and Keep Their Passion Alive

When I was young, I spent hours practicing how to juggle — tennis balls, tangerines, anything round that didn’t break. And after relentless practice, I got pretty good. Four objects in the air at once good. Back then, time felt endless, and I could devote whole afternoons to quirky challenges like perfecting my toss-and-catch rhythm.

Fast forward to adulthood, and my juggling looks entirely different. It’s not balls anymore - it’s plates. Family commitments, a busy office job, a farm, seven horses or my own, running a small livery yard at home and the general chaos of life all spinning at once. And somewhere along the way, those old juggling skills grew rusty, buried beneath a pile of other abandoned talents.

Showjumping nearly joined that pile. For years, I came dangerously close to letting my love of riding slide completely. But somehow, despite spinning so many plates, I kept hold of that one - just.

Keeping it cool - juggling life and riding horses!

Juggling Plates, And Dropping a few Balls

The other evening, I decided to try juggling again. Three oranges, several failed attempts, and a bemused husband watching them bounce across the kitchen floor until they were only good for the juicer. Watching those oranges thud onto the tiles was a perfect metaphor for how quickly skills fade when you don’t nurture them.

It made me realise something uncomfortable: I’d let my riding fade too. Once upon a time, I could power through a full workday, sort family stuff, and still hop on at least two horses. But over the last couple of years? I found myself choosing the couch over the saddle far too often - especially during those long, dark Scottish winter nights when the arena looked less appealing than the fire, sofa and a great Netflix series.

What Happened to My Motivation?

Middle-age exhaustion? Menopause? Too many responsibilities and no clear goal now that I’m not competing seriously? Plus a few annoying niggling injuries.

Probably a blend of all of the above.

Whatever the cause, it dawned on me that if I didn’t change something, I’d lose one of my greatest sources of joy.

Shifting the goalposts

So I started fighting back.

For the first time in ages, I opened up the equestrian events pages and scribbled down a few shows I might enter with a young homebred mare I had then. And off we went. I’d forgotten how lovely it is to be out and about - how many friends you bump into in just one day at a show.

My stunning homebred mare Arianna. We got out competing but I always felt too tall on her - if she'd only been a hand higher or me a foot less tall. She is now in the most fabulous home and absolutely adored. I still miss her though. Image: Adrian Sinclair Photography.

Then I made a proper grown-up decision: I sold my super mare - the one who, in my heart, I knew would suit a lighter teenager far better than a middle-aged lady with growing respect for gravity. She’s now in the most amazing home, adored by her new owner. Anyone who knows me knows how monumental that decision was. I love my horses very much and once here they tend to stay for ever.

Solutions! Or at Least My Solution...

With one tough decision made, I moved on to step two: Find myself a bigger horse who will be perfect for hacking, low-key competing and generally helping me rediscover the joy of riding without feeling like I’m trying to stay balanced on a tightrope.

Riding and caring for my horses is one of the biggest joys in my life, and I’m determined to carve out more time for it. Horses have that magical ability to pull you into the present moment. They calm the brain, ease the stress and remind you of what really matters.

Handsome ISH Finn arrives at Airdits. His markings are very unusual

Anyone Else in the Same Boat?

Does anyone else out there have several horses, not enough time, and a motivation level that occasionally wanders off without leaving a forwarding address? If so, you’re not alone - and I’d love to hear what you’ve done to get yourself back in the saddle.

Comment below and share your thoughts - what’s helped you?

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