By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
With over 100 years between them, Alice Sinclair and Keira are a formidable combination.
Earlier this month the Otago-based 89-year-old and her 13-year-old standardbred “Keira” completed the annual Cavalcade in the heart of the South Island. Organized by the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust, “cavalcaders” ride horses, wagons, or walk trails, retracing the steps of the old gold miners.
For Sinclair it involved seven days of horse riding, covering around 40 kilometres a day. Crossing land that usually only musterers would see the destination, or host town, changes every year. This time the finishing point was at Twizel.
It continued a remarkable run for Sinclair. She’s ridden in every Cavalcade since it started in the early 1990s though she admits it can take a toll.
“My mind is willing but my body’s not,” she quips, “I’ve had three screws put into one hip and had the other one replaced twice.”
Sinclair’s trusty companion on the Cavalcade was Nikeira, a now 13-year-old Changeover mare who was a one race winner at Addington in 2016.
She was a pacer in her racing days but is adept at trotting under saddle.
“I can’t ride a horse with a pacing action. They are like a rocking horse going side to side but a trotter is up and down and no trouble at all.”
So was Keira willing during the week long trip?
“She was too willing at times,” she laughs, “but she was no trouble.”
“She loves being out there.”
As does Sinclair.
“It’s the people you are with, they come from all over, and the country you see – it’s such a wonderful time.”
She takes part in the Tussock Creek Light Wagons and Riders category. That involves riding mostly over high country/farm 4WD tracks. They stay in woolsheds along the way.
And there’s another bonus – it is fully catered and supported.
“The Oamaru Sea Scouts looked after all our catering for the whole week. It was terrific. The best thing about the trip is that you don’t have to cook!”
Sinclair was a relative latecomer to horse riding. She didn’t get own horse until she was in her 40s.
She now has seven, including Keira, grazing on her 37 acre (15 hectare) farm at Mosgiel near Dunedin.
Keen to give anything a go Sinclair remains super fit through her farm work. She went skydiving at 65 and for her 80th birthday she walked the 75km Camino Salvado trail in Western Australia. She’s also completed a number of Great Walks and many cycle trials around the country.
Such have been her exploits that she’s featured in many magazine articles, including Woman’s Day and the Woman’s Weekly.
2026 may or may not be Sinclair’s final Cavalcade.
“Next year will be number 33 when I’m 90.”
And she thinks that has a pretty good ring to it.
