Dyion Skipper’s family has owned land in Leland since the 1800s. For the last several decades, Skipper has raised horses on the Leland property. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)
LELAND — It’s Dyion Skipper’s 80th birthday. Twenty years ago, Skipper started a tradition that has now come to an end.
Since 1998, Skipper spent every Jan. 27 riding horses on his 15-acre property with friends and family.
At 80, he can still ride for hours on end. But with years of riding and countless broken bones, time has caught up with the Leland resident.
He’ll still ride – just not for his birthday tradition.
This year, Skipper was down to the least number of riders he’s had to date, but he says it’s because they just can’t keep up like they used to.
His friends and family surrounded Skipper as he arrived back from his last birthday ride.
(Audio: Part one of three. Parts two and three continued below)
Dyion Skipper leads the pack on his recent birthday ride with family, a tradition he started in 1998. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)
A family ride
His wife of five years, Deborah Skipper, no longer rides alongside with the birthday crew. After a dangerous fall, she decided she would enjoy the birthday tradition from the sidelines.
“This is just therapy for Dyion,” she said. “He just loves this.”
Dyion Skipper (left) and Deborah Skipper look at a birthday card during Dyion’s 80th birthday party in Leland. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)Dyion Skipper feeds his horses twice a day. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)Dyion Skipper feeds his horses twice a day. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)One of Dyion Skipper’s many horses that live on his 15-acre property in Leland. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)Dyion Skipper on his 15-acre Leland property. His family has owned the land since the 1800s. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)
True riders
The first and last time Skipper used spurs was when he broke his first horse. He says you aren’t a true rider if you claim you’ve never fallen off of a horse.
For years, he offered horse-drawn carriage rides for weddings, proms, reunions, parades and more. Now that he’s gotten older, he’s not sure if he’ll return to the family business.
Dyion Skipper and his favorite horse, Sunday. (Port City Daily photo /JOHANNA FEREBEE)
Dyion Skipper has owned, trained and loved horses for more than half of his life. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)Dyion Skipper on his 15-acre Leland property. His family has owned the land since the 1800s. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)Dyion Skipper on his 15-acre Leland property. His family has owned the land since the 1800s. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)More than 30 guests attended Dyion Skipper’s (center) 80th birthday celebration in Leland. (Port City Daily photo / JOHANNA FEREBEE)
Johanna Ferebee can be reached at johanna@localvoicemedia.com or @j__ferebee on Twitter
