Ambitious 76-year-old prepares to take on the World

It’s never too late to become a World Champion—even at age 76. That is what septuagenarian exhibitor Russell Rowe of Pilot Point, Texas, is
betting on during his World Show debut in today’s Novice Western
Pleasure class in the John Justin Arena.

First-time competitor, 76-year-old Russell Rowe, is making his World Show debut today in John Justin arena. The Pilot Point, Texas native will be showing in the Novice Western Pleasure class aboard 8-year-old mare Im Un Zipped.

Instead of watching from his usual spot in the crowd, cheering on
friends and family, this year the first-time competitor will be taking
a leap of faith and enjoying his inaugural moment in the spotlight as
a non-traditional Novice.

Rowe and his wife, Harlene, are far from new to the show ring—they
have been breeding and raising champion Paint Horses for as long as
they can remember.

Russell has remained an avid observer and supporter for his wife as
she showed Paints throughout the years. Although he became very
familiar with the ins and outs of the Paint Horse show world—including
various events, competitors and trainers—his pasttime priority was on
the game of golf.

But all that changed about a year ago, when Russell unexpectedly told
his wife that he’d like to ride. Wasting no time, he immediately
joined up with nearby trainer, Scott Suggs.

Since that time, the late-blooming rider has developed quite a passion
for riding show horses, and today he saddles up every chance he gets.

According to his wife, Harlene, Rowe is proving to be a serious
competitor, one who clearly shows his focus and determination while
riding.

“He has no bad habits—he does exactly what he is told and has been a
great rider from the start,” she said.

Helping Rowe to learn more every day is his horse, Im Un Zipped—also a rookie to the show ring. The 8-year-old sorrel overo mare was sired by top pleasure sire and seven-time leading APHA Breeders Trust sire Zippos Sensation and is out of Un Zip Me, who was a multiple World
Champion and Reserve World Champion in Western pleasure, trail and Western riding with Harlene aboard. Im Un Zipped’s bloodlines make her an outstanding prospect. When deciding to campaign the mare, Rowe was shocked that no one was riding her already.

“Anyone would be very happy to have a horse like her,” said the Novice
rider, who added that he is very confident about taking Im Un Zipped
into the show ring.

“When you have a horse like that and a trainer like that—you have a
World Championship,” said Rowe.

Some might think that riding an 8-year-old with very little show
experience could be intimidating for someone of any age, but Rowe has no fear.

“Older people can ride younger horses—after all, the horse is the one
doing all the work,” joked Rowe. “When you find that special horse and
the right trainer, everyone can do it.”

However, Rowe does not claim that the road is easy for a World
Champion-bound exhibitor. He prefers to focus on the present and said
he will feel “lucky to survive this show.”

But regardless of the outcome in today’s Novice Western pleasure
class, his new-found passion for Paints is evidence that everyone will
be seeing more from this 76-year-old competitor in the future. And his true victory will be in showing that it’s never to late to pursue your passion.