Skylark House resident’s horse riding wish comes true for her 100th birthday

Home news

Nov 02, 2018

Resident at Skylark House took the reins when she celebrated her 100th birthday with a horse ride.

Birthday celebrations were in full swing when resident Audrey Merry celebrated her 100th birthday with family and residents at Skylark House, and was surprised with a trip to the stables to ride a horse.

Audrey, a keen fitness fanatic, turned 100 years ‘young’ on the 10th October, and was delighted to have her dream come true when the team and her family revealed they had arranged a horse riding lesson for her.

The lesson had been arranged following a wish Audrey made on the home’s Wishing Tree to ‘ride a horse again for the first time in 60 years’.

Revealing the secret to living to 100, Audrey said: “The key to living a long, happy life is keeping fit with interesting activities. I’ve loved to exercise for as long as I can remember. As a child I even used to row across the Thames to get to school - I took one oar and my twin sister took the other, while our older sister was coxen.

“We became so good at rowing we were invited to join the school team. Horse riding with my twin sister was another passion of mine – I had no fear when it came to sports, and I’ll try anything!”

Audrey was joined by friends and family, including her daughter who now lives in Canada, for the special riding session. 

Devendra Lallchand, home manager at Skylark House, said: “We always like to make an occasion of birthdays, and Audrey’s 100th birthday is no exception. She has had a lifelong passion for sports which she continues to pursue. She’s always first in line to take part in the activities the team provides for residents. 

“When we discovered Audrey wished to go horse riding again, we worked with her family to make her wish come true and ensure it was a birthday to remember. It was wonderful to see Audrey back in the saddle, she was an incredible confident rider and happily chatted as she rode around the paddock. 

“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at the Horsham and Mid Sussex Equestrian Academy for helping make Audrey’s birthday extra special.”