Approaching her 80th birthday, Joan Jeffery is still riding high
Joan Jeffery and her horse Ribana are both defying expectations. (ABC News: Natasha Johnson)
Queen Elizabeth inspired equestrians the world over by continuing to ride into her 90s. But at Pakenham Upper Riding Club, south-east of Melbourne, an ageless Joan Jeffery is leading the way.
Joan turns 80 next year and rides her 27-year-old quarter horse appaloosa mare, Ribana, at least once a week and is a regular at the club's twice-monthly rallies, joining lessons and occasionally entering Horse Riding Club Association of Victoria (HRCAV) dressage competitions.
Queen Elizabeth continued to ride into her 90s. (AP: Steve Parsons/Pool )
"I love riding," Joan says.
"I love the connection with a horse. I've had Ribana since she was four and she neighs when she sees me — probably because she's after food — but she's a very affectionate horse and I just love her."
Horse and rider are both remarkably fit and healthy for their ages. A horse's average life span is 30 years, but at 27, Ribana shows no signs of slowing down, as she trots and canters around the arena.
Joan loves the connection she has with horses, particularly her own mare. (ABC News: Natasha Johnson)
And while many people entering their 80s are struggling with physical or mental limitations, Joan still manages to do all the heavy lifting of caring for a horse, including shovelling poo in the paddock four days a week, hooking up her horse float and towing it from the property where she agists to the club grounds, saddling up and riding for an hour-long lesson.
"I go to the gym and do weights to keep in shape. I just feel so relaxed and happy when I am in the saddle," she says.
Joan is the oldest member of the Pakenham Upper Riding Club, which boasts about 60 members.
Next year, the club celebrates its half century and has appointed Joan as its 50th-anniversary ambassador. She was presented with an embroidered blazer and a rug for Ribana, recognising her commitment to horse riding and the club.
Many members of Pakenham Upper Riding Club are inspired by Joan, who turns 80 next year. (ABC News: Natasha Johnson)
"Joan is an extraordinary lady," says club president Leanne McLean.
"At nearly 80, she continues to do something many would think is reserved for 'the young' and proves that horse riding is a sport for a lifetime.
"She teaches us to never stop chasing your dreams and embrace things that bring you joy because when we do this, we are not only adding years to our lives we are adding life to our years. Be like our Joan."
Georgie Campbell, who runs the Friday rallies, says Joan is one of the club's most enthusiastic members.
"Joan is an inspiration to me and many others at the club," she says.
"She comes to every rally with her beautiful mare and always has a big smile on her face. I just love her.
"We are all passionate about riding and hope to be just like Joan, still riding into our 80s and beyond."
Joan has loved horses for as long as she can remember. (ABC News: Natasha Johnson)
Joan says she's loved horses since childhood. She grew up in Brisbane near the Eagle Farm racecourse and while she was never allowed to go to the races, often saw the thoroughbreds being walked down the road near her house.
"When I was a kid, I was always drawing horses on a blackboard with chalk. So, I always had a love and interest in horses."
In her 20s, she started going on trail rides with her two sisters and hoped that one day she might get a horse of her own.
That opportunity didn't arise until a couple of decades later when she and her husband and two sons moved to Melbourne and at the age of 46, Joan decided to finally buy herself a horse.
Over four decades, Joan has owned seven horses.
She started out learning dressage then took up show jumping and loved it.
She's won a few ribbons over the journey, but her riding highlight was taking out the jackpot in an HRCAV dressage competition on a horse called Phoenix and winning a rug.
"He was a beautiful horse, and he won a very nice rug," Joan says.
"But a few months after that he got colic and I had to get him put down. It broke my heart. I buried him with that rug because I thought he won that rug and it's going to go with him."
Joan's husband Peter admires her passion, even if it causes him to worry. (ABC News: Natasha Johnson)
Her husband, Peter, was on hand to see Joan honoured by the club and while he admires her passion, it does cause him a lot of worry.
"I sometimes wish she'd stop," he says.
"Because she's had so many broken bones over the years, but I don't think she'll retire. It's what keeps her going."
And if the queen's example is anything to go by, Joan has at least another decade of riding ahead of her. Or maybe more.
"As long as I'm standing upright, I'll keep riding," she says with a laugh.