"It’s your journey. The rest is irrelevant," - Lyndal Oatley
At the age of 21, Lyndal Oatley travelled from Australia to Germany to train and find a great horse. The trip was planned to last for a few months but turned into a life amongst some of the world’s best dressage riders. Cavalier have had the great pleasure of talking to Lyndal about her life in Germany, her dreams, learnings and advice for new riders coming up.
Published: June 24th, 2022
With a history of horse breeding on both sides of her family and a grandfather that competed in four in hand, horsemanship was already in Lyndal’s blood growing up. Early on, she showed promising results that later would bring her all the way to two Olympics, two world equestrian games and a World Cup Final. So far.
“As many others, my journey began in a pony club before progressing to show horses which, in Australia, is very competitive. I became two times Australian champion and nominated for young Australian of the year for my sporting efforts. I had a fantastic trainer who always taught me the basics of dressage, and around the Sydney 2000 Olympics I realized that dressage was what I wanted to focus on.”
Born in 1980 and left Australia at the age of 21, Lyndal has now spent about 12 years on the other side of the globe. Today she has her own stable with her husband and trainer Patrik Kittel at Gestüt Eulenhof. We know why she came in the first place, but what made her stay here in Germany?
"In Australia I competed up to small tour but realized that I needed to gain experience and that Europe would provide that. On the trip with my then trainer I found a horse with Patrik. I was blown away by how positive the horses were in mind and in their way of going, and yet so balanced and soft. So, I decided a few months would not be enough and began begging Patrik for lessons. The rest is history, and he is still my trainer but now also my hubby.”
Passion and a sense of self
Their house it attached to the stable where Lyndal, Patrik and their fellow professional rider Malin Wahlkamp Nilsson keeps their competition horses. Another stable on the property stables the students, and sales horses from Global Equestrian group. Throughout EULENHOF the horses’ best interests and well-being is paramount and they have grass and sand paddocks, a gallop track, and a lot of focus directed to the horses’ daily needs out of the arena.
“The farm has given us a real base here and sense of self that really fits what we need. I stay separate from the business side, which is something we agreed on at an early stage to retain a good home and teacher-student relationship. It is just so much better to keep things simple and separate.”
But how is it to be working so closely with your husband? From following you in different channels you seem to have found a great dynamic.
“We really enjoy working together. We are both blessed doing what we love, and to also share that together. When I’m the student I’m just that, and he trains and treats me the same as everyone else.”
Obsessed with half passes
When Lyndal is asked to describe herself as a rider, she mentions key riding qualities such as patient, driven, and having a good competition brain. She also adds her willingness to learn and to see her own weaknesses as well as her strengths. Topped off by being slightly obsessed with half passes. But what made her choose the path of dressage?
“Why chocolate or why breath? I mean, it’s just who I am and what I am passionate about! I love the journey it takes to get a horse into an arena, their totally different characters and the challenges that come with that. Also, I would probably throw up every time my horse hit itself in say jumping or eventing, so it just had to be dressage!”
You have had many amazing horses over the years, and before we ask you about the qualities you search for, we would like to hear a bit about your current top horses, Eros, Elvive and Herzi.
“They are all very different. Ross aka Eros is quirky, cheeky and behaves like an overgrown pony in every way. Ellie aka Elvive is slightly introverted and a bit shy but loves the people closest to her and then she shines. She is powerful with mega talent and feels everything a 110%. Herzi is a big softy with a huge heart but needs to trust you first then the sky is the limit. She feels the world but focuses on you to give her confidence and grows with that.”
Sounds like a perfect mix of superstars with quite different personalities! And that leads us to our next question; What are you looking for in a good dressage horse?
“In general, I look for three good paces, a quiet mouth and tail, and a good attitude. That is in an ideal world. But I’m also realistic and if horse have a weakness, it needs to be something I think I can work on to make better. I am very much drawn to their characters and all my horses are different, but they all love to work with me and bring their own minds to the arena. I love that and enjoy the challenge of working with very different horses.”
The next generation
Whenever we have the chance to talk to a professional rider like you, we ask for some tips for our readers including ourselves. So, what would be your top three pieces of advice for riders that want to succeed in the sport of dressage?
“Firstly, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and look outside your bubble. Secondly, surround yourself with people who believe in you and want you to succeed, and finally, don’t give up! It will be hard in between and you will experience bad luck. Don’t compare your journey to others. Just be you, focus on what you are doing and what’s in best interests for the journey you and your horse are on.”
Thank you for that Lyndal, and finally, if you could go back ten years and give yourself some guidance, what would that be?
”Don’t waste your energy trying to keep everyone around you happy. It’s you. It’s your horse. It’s your journey. The rest is irrelevant.”
