Phyllis Stein and Aljarafe VII: A Century Ride Filled With Joy and Celebration

Breeding

USPRE

Some stories deserve to be told, and one of them is undoubtedly that of Phyllis Stein and Aljarafe VII.

On April 1st at Whippet Run Farm in Ocala, Florida, Phyllis rode down the centerline of a Kür freestyle for the very first time in her life. But this was far more than just another freestyle. Together with her longtime partner, the P.R.E. horse Aljarafe VII (bred by Los Alburejos), the pair completed a memorable Century Ride, an achievement recognized when the combined ages of horse and rider total 100 years or more. At 79 years old, riding her 21-year-old partner, Stein officially became part of The Dressage Foundation Century Club.

The atmosphere surrounding the ride was emotional from the very beginning. As required for a Century Ride, the test was judged by a nationally licensed judge.

Trained by Sue Kolsted, Stein and Aljarafe VII danced through their freestyle with visible joy. The canter tour featured the rhythm of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” while the pair confidently executed difficult movements, including half-pass into double pirouettes. One of the standout moments of the performance came during the highly collected work, where their piaffe and passage earned multiple scores of eight from the judge.

Despite a few glitches in the one-tempi changes, the final centerline transformed the arena into a true celebration. With “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang playing through the speakers, the crowd, fully invested in the moment, erupted into cheers, applause, and joyful screams filled the air. Stein, with a huge smile, made her final salute.

Their final score of 70.950% earned them the commemorative Century Ride rosette. Afterwards, Stein received flowers from family and friends, while Aljarafe was rewarded with treats and carrots.

For Stein, the ride represented something even deeper.

“I feel this is really a celebration of Aljarafe,” she shared. “He has carried me through this journey and allowed me to learn how to ride dressage. I feel more proud of the horse and the process than focused on myself.”

Known affectionately as “Alfie,” Aljarafe VII is no ordinary horse. The 2005-born PRE stallion was crowned Alta Escuela Champion at SICAB 2015, ridden by Javier Ruiz Garrido.

“He is incredibly athletic, kind, and patient, truly an amazing horse,” Stein explained. “He does everything. He’s a Grand Prix horse, but he’s also safe, happy on the trails, and just fun to be around.”

Their relationship has evolved through years of learning and growth. Stein describes the experience as an intense but rewarding process, one that allowed her to appreciate even more deeply the extraordinary generosity and talent of her horse.

Beyond the competition arena, some of their favorite moments happen outside the dressage court.

“I love riding him on the trails,” she said. “Being out in the woods with a happy horse, he gets excited and enjoys it so much.”

And while the Century Ride marked a major milestone, the journey is far from over. Looking ahead, Stein hopes to continue exploring new experiences with Aljarafe VII, including the possibility of trying working equitation.

For now, though, the greatest achievement is simple: “My goal is to have fun and ride.”

Discover more about US PRE breeding on www.usprea.org