Kelly Layne and Oldenburger gelding Samhitas

© Satomi Ishikuri

Kelly Layne and Samhitas make a splash in Florida  

By Adele Severs  

Queenslander Kelly Layne and a new horse called Samhitas are making their mark on the dressage circuit in Florida. The Oldenburger gelding just might be the one to give Kelly a second shot at the Olympics.

Based in the equine heartland of Wellington, Florida, for close to nine years, Australian dressage rider Kelly Layne has built a successful business surrounded by her close-knit team. Their newest addition, a horse named Samhitas, is turning heads on the Global Dressage Festival circuit. Could this be the next name to appear on Australia’s Olympic selection radar?

Kelly Layne is no stranger to the international stage. As a young rider, she competed in New Zealand and Hong Kong, before going on to represent Australia at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and later winning the Hermes’ Cup Small Tour championship at the Tokyo CDI3* in 2013.

Over the years, she has notched up numerous wins at CDIs in the United States and competed multiple horses at Grand Prix level with success. With her superstar Udon P, she was nominated for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, however, complications stemming from a recurring injury meant she ultimately decided to withdraw...

Read the full article here in the January issue of Equestrian Life!