Oatleys A Force to Be Reckoned With

Cousins Lyndal and Kristy Oatley amassed a trove of accolades this weekend in Europe as they competed at the CDI3* Máriakálnok in Hungary and CDI3* Verden in Germany, respectively.

Both Lyndal and Kristy are based in Germany and are vying for potential team selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games later this year.

Lyndal competed two horses this weekend at the CDI3* Máriakáln in Hungary and walked away with two wins and two third places. It was Lyndal’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Elvive who secured her two victories in both the World Cup Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special classes.

Lyndal Oatley and Elvive, photo by Łukasz Kowalski

“She does everything with such elasticity and elegance and ease that you don’t see many horses that move like that” says Lyndal of Elvive, or Ellie as she is known at home.

Lyndal’s third place finishes were secured by her other ride of the competition, a striking grey 12-year-old Dutch Gelding named Eros, in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle to Music.

“He’s a funny, quirky, overgrown pony with a lot of cheek and that’s a lot of fun to ride, especially in relation to Ellie [Elvive] who’s more the natural talent that’s sensitive and vibrant. They both feel fantastic and I’m really happy with where they’re at and where they’re heading” described Lyndal.

Lyndal Oatley and Elros, photo by Łukasz Kowalski

While Lyndal was in Hungary Kristy was also racking up the notable placings closer to home in Germany.

Kristy competed in Verden with her long-time ride Du Soleil, a gorgeous 17-year-old liver chestnut Hanoverian gelding that has a history of success with Kristy. Kristy and Du Soleil competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and 2018 World Equestrian Games together where the combination finished in 12^th place and also broke the Australian Grand Prix Special record at the time (this has since been broken by Simone Pearce and Destano).

Kristy and Du Soleil now have their sights firmly set on Tokyo 2020. “I’m striving towards my sixth Olympic nomination, and fifth Olympic participation” explains Kristy.

Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil, photo by Cara Grimshaw Photography

At the CDI3* Verden Kristy and Du Soleil finished in first place in the Grand Prix Freestyle and 4^th place in the Grand Prix. These successes follow on from the combinations domination in Poland a weeks ago at the CDI3* Zakrzów where they won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special.