Generation X – Thank You for Everything You Gave Me
- Mia Lerchl
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
There are those special horses in a rider’s life that are so much more than just sport partners. Horses that shape you, help you grow, and accompany you on your journey. Generation X is exactly that kind of horse for me.
At the beginning of April, she will retire – a well-deserved rest after a remarkable journey together. And even though I know it’s the right decision, letting her go is incredibly difficult.
Our Journey Together
I got Generation X in 2022, when I was 10 years old. From the very beginning, she was something truly special. With her calm temperament, her experience, and her exceptional abilities – especially from her time as a successful racehorse – she gave me so much confidence.
With her, I was able to develop as a rider, grow, and progress step by step. Together, we worked our way up through the heights, from 90 cm to 1.20 m. Collecting not only countless placings, numerous victories but also experiencing real highlights along the way. Each of these moments represents hard work, trust – and a truly special bond between us.
Realizing Things were Changing
This year, I began to notice a change. Generation X has lost some of her strength. During the second half of the year in Spain, Generation X is trained and ridden by my coach Cassidy, and even then, her power is not the same. The 1.20 m heights that we still managed together in July 2025 are simply no longer consistent within her reach.
For our final big competition last weekend – the Western Cape Outdoor Grand Prix – we consciously stepped down and competed in the 1.10 m class. This competition was especially meaningful to me, as it was the same event where Generation X and I won the 90 cm Championship back in 2023. I wanted, more than anything, to honor her career and show once again what we could achieve as a team.
One Last Weekend Together
Saturday went exactly as I had hoped: two beautiful, clear rounds and placing 5th and 6th out of more than 25 competitors. Generation X felt great, focused, and with me – just as always.
On Sunday, we wanted to give it our all one last time. In the first round, the 44-point Joker Jump, everything went perfectly – until the very last obstacle, the 1.20 m Joker, fell. In that moment, I knew: this is no longer her height. I felt that she had reached her limit.
Nevertheless, we still wanted to win the 1.10 m Championship. To do so, we had to remain faultless to come into the jump-off – but we didn’t. Two poles down, and that was the end of our journey.
Thank You
I am so grateful and cherish every moment we shared. Generation X has taught me so much – about trust, patience, feeling, and real riding. My trust in her was limitless, and that is exactly what brought us so far. I am deeply happy for everything she has given me.
Saying goodbye and retiring her breaks my heart. There are many tears.
But at the same time, I know she has more than earned this retirement. She will have a wonderful, pressure-free life, without competitions – just as a horse. And that makes me happy too.
Nevertheless, I already miss her so much.
Comments