Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming a very special rider: Shirley Lawrence, mother of Coach Julia Foote. At 94 years young, Shirley climbed into the saddle on Will-oh! with quiet confidence and a lifetime of experience behind her.
It was inspiring. It was joyful. And it sparked an idea.
In the equestrian world, we often focus on young riders, competition goals, and performance milestones. But riding has always been more than that.
It’s about:
Watching Shirley ride was a powerful reminder that these things don’t fade with age — in many ways, they deepen.
So we asked ourselves:
Why should winter training — or any training — be reserved for the young and competitive?
From that moment, the idea was simple.
We’re proud to introduce the Will-oh! 80+ Club — a small way to celebrate and support riders who have spent a lifetime in the saddle.
If you’re 80 or older, your first ride on Will-oh! is free.
Because:
For many riders, especially later in life, there can be barriers to getting back in the saddle — whether physical, mental, or simply logistical.
This is where Will-oh! can play a meaningful role.
The simulator offers:
It’s not about replacing the horse — it’s about supporting the rider.
What we’ve seen already is that progress doesn’t have to mean jumping higher or riding more advanced movements.
Sometimes progress looks like:
And those moments matter just as much.
We know Shirley isn’t the only one.
There are incredible riders in our community who have spent decades in the saddle — quietly carrying forward a deep love of horses.
If you know someone who belongs in the Will-oh! 80+ Club, we would love to meet them.
Whether you’re returning to the saddle, staying active, or simply curious — we would be honoured to welcome you.
👉 If you or someone you know is 80+, your first ride is on us.
👉 And if you’re not quite there yet — keep riding. We’ll be here when you are 😉
Because at Will-oh!, we believe riding isn’t just a sport.
It’s something you carry with you for life.