“Maybe we should put the purple hat on earlier in life.”

At 65, Lorli Higgins is back in the saddle—literally and figuratively. A mother of three, grandmother of one, and a woman who swims in the River Liffey twice a week all year round, Lorli doesn’t just defy stereotypes—she rewrites them.

What began as a quiet return to the horses in her field has grown into something more focused, more determined, and far more empowering than she initially planned. And while the journey hasn’t been linear, it’s been deeply personal.

You Can Start Again at Any Time

Growing up on Thoroughbred stud farms across Ireland, horses were part of Lorli’s life from the beginning. Her father Paul managed studs, while her mother April was immersed in showing and competing. Pony Club, hunting, and working hunter classes filled her early years, with a brief venture into eventing before, as she says, “the sensible eldest child” chose the security of an office job instead.

That decision led to over a decade away from horses. But as her children grew and began riding themselves, the pull became too strong to ignore.

“I taught, judged, ran shows, sat on committees—but as the kids went off to college, things quietened down again.”

Then, in 2020—when four horses were standing idle in her fields—Lorli decided it was time. She gathered a group of friends, made a plan to get back to the ring, and reignited a long-dormant spark. It didn’t all go smoothly (Covid had other ideas), but the decision to start again had already taken root.

Grab Your Purple Hat...

For Lorli, the return to riding hasn’t just been about competition—it’s been about permission. Permission to try again. To do something for herself. And to do it with purpose, joy, and a solid dose of humour.

It all started with a poem she received on her 60th birthday. It spoke of the different stages of womanhood, and how by 80, the woman in the poem simply puts on her purple hat and goes—no longer caring what anyone thinks.

Lorli decided not to wait.

“That poem became my mantra. The Purple Hat is about showing up, whatever the challenge may be.”

Whether it’s swimming in icy rivers or working her way back up the dressage ladder, Lorli has fully embraced the purple hat mindset. And it’s become a symbol not just for her, but for others around her too.

Grab a Purple Hat!

Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Princess.
Age 6: She looks at herself in the mirror and sees a Barbie Doll.
Age 10: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.
Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I can’t go to school looking like this!)
Age 20: She looks at herself and sees “too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly”- fixes herself the best she can, but decides she’s going out anyway.
Age 30: She looks at herself and sees “too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly” – but decides she doesn’t have time to fix it, so she’s going out anyway.
Age 40: She looks at herself and sees “too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly” - but says, At least, I am “clean” and goes out anyway.
Age 50: She looks at herself and sees “I am” and goes wherever She wants to go.
Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can’t even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Then she goes out and conquers the world.
Age 70: She looks at herself & sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn’t bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.

Not Forgetting Meg: Her Comeback Partner

Meg wasn’t originally meant to be Lorli’s horse. Bred for her daughters, Meg is by a Connemara stallion out of a Thoroughbred mare, but her career was inconsistent and full of starts and stops. Breaking her in was difficult, and for years, Meg was passed between riders, with some success, but never quite the right match.

That changed last year when Lorli took over the reins full-time. With help from her sister Anna, they stripped everything back and started again.

“We went right back to basics—establishing a real partnership and building solid foundations.”

It wasn’t just about correcting past work; it was about connection, confidence, and creating space to grow—together. Meg, she says with a laugh, can have her moments, but she always tries. And that effort, that willingness, is enough.

Lorli’s goals are honest, achievable, and quietly ambitious.

Lorli & Meg are working towards competing more consistently, moving up to Novice level, and maybe—if things go well—reaching Elementary and qualifying for the summer championships. But for her, it’s less about the ribbons and more about the relationship.

Lorli first shared her story in a Facebook post that quickly captured the hearts of everyone who read it. The comments are full of support, admiration, and pure joy—from friends, family, and fellow riders all celebrating her return to the ring. It’s clear that this moment resonated far beyond the dressage arena. I was contacted directly and encouraged to reach out - I am so glad I did!

Why Lorli’s Story Matters

Because she represents a part of the community that’s often overlooked.

Too old to be ‘aspirational’ by mainstream standards. Too experienced to be considered ‘beginner’. But right at the heart of what makes this sport enduring: love of the horse, commitment to growth, and a refusal to let age or assumptions hold you back.

As the equestrian world begins to open up more honestly about its barriers—gendered, generational, financial—stories like Lorli’s are crucial. She reminds us that you don’t need to dominate a leaderboard to lead by example. Showing up, learning, laughing, trying again—that counts too.

“The purple hat isn’t about being fearless. It’s about doing it anyway.”

Coming Up on the Podcast

Lorli will be joining me on The Equitas Podcast soon to be able to delve a little deeper - This is one for every rider who’s ever thought, “Maybe I’ve missed my window.”

You haven’t.