Lyndal Oatley and Forever Young competing in the CDI3* Grand Prix at Covalliero Dressage Days at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, Germany. Image by LL Foto.
Olympian Lyndal Oatley and mare Forever Young HRH have begun an inspiring journey together, blending experience, trust, and potential into a promising new dressage partnership for Australia.
Forever Young HRH (by Fuerst Fugger out of Deflorata HRH, by Don Bosco) first came to attention when Swedish Olympian Patrik Kittel was asked to present her as a potential horse for clients. Instead of passing her along, he was immediately captivated by her talent and presence. Recognising her rare qualities, he set up a partnership with Peter Hoff (Gestüt Peterhof), the owner behind the well-known “So Unique” partnership, to secure her future.
Lyndal and Forever Young in their first Grand Prix together in Hamminkeln, Germany. Image supplied.
“At that stage, Patrik was away, and there was never even a thought that Forever Young might one day become a horse for me,” says Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley, husband of Patrik. “But watching Patrik train her, it was impossible not to notice the harmony between them. At the start of this year, everything seemed to click – rider and horse truly began to understand each other, both inside the arena and out.”
Lyndal says the idea of the mare becoming hers to ride came almost as a miracle. “It was a thought that popped unexpectedly into my head while watching their preparation for the World Cup [2025 FEI Dressage World Cup Final]. I kept it quiet, not even mentioning it to Patrik at first. On the very last day, in discussion with Patrik’s Swedish trainer and the owner, the idea suddenly felt real. They both thought it was a fantastic possibility.”
Just a week earlier, Lyndal had floated the thought past her mother, Carol Oatley. “Mum knows how deeply we discuss and share ideas about horses. She too was supportive. From there, the path was clear: aligned in vision and guided by trust, we decided to go forward with Forever Young – a horse whose name now seems perfectly fitting.”
“That process of discovery
made my first competition start
with her even more special…”
Taking over the ride a few weeks later was a special moment for Lyndal. “It gave us the chance to build our own connection, to respect each other’s space, and to simply have fun. We clicked quickly, and I felt the joy of having my own time with her. That process of discovery made my first competition start with her even more special – a beginning full of promise.”
ON FAVOURITE HORSES
“People often ask me who my favourite horse has been, but the truth is I can’t name just one,” reflects Lyndal. “Every horse I’ve ridden has been different, each with their own character and lessons to teach. I don’t really compare them – how could I? They all hold their own place in my journey.
“For me, it has always been about the relationship. From the moment I feel a connection or rapport with a horse, that bond grows and becomes the centre of my riding at that time. It’s that horse – the one I connect with in the present – that naturally becomes my ‘favourite’.
“Some I’ve loved for their great power and ability, others for their quirky and unexpected sense of humour. One mare, for example, had such a distinct character – she was funny, surprising, and endlessly entertaining. With others, the bond was immediate, almost as if we recognised each other at once. Horses like Sandro Boy, who took only a few steps before I felt we were in perfect sync, left an unforgettable mark.
“So, I can’t really say I’ve had just one favourite horse. Instead, I’ve been fortunate to love many – all for completely different and special reasons.”
Lyndal says she and the 13-year-old mare quickly clicked, and she’s loving the ride. Image supplied.
FIRST GRAND PRIX
What was meant to be just a small, quiet Grand Prix – a test to dip their toes in the water – turned out to be much more for Lyndal and her new partner.
Held in Hamminkeln, Germany the test turned out to be far from a low-key affair with a 13-strong field that featured Olympians Helen Langehanenberg of Germany and Severo Jurado Lopez of Spain, Hungary’s 2023 European Championship team member Maté Garai, and rising star Alexa Westendarp, daughter of Johannes Westendarp.
Helen Langehanenberg won the test with Magnanmous on 72.8%, and Lyndal was a close second on 72.233%.
“With Forever Young, I felt comfortable, but I also knew that stepping into the arena would be the real challenge. I had to learn her rhythm, her triggers, her focus. Those things take time – and still will. But that day, she gave me so much. We went into the arena and she really listened to me, staying with me throughout the test.
“There were small mistakes: a trip in the first piaffe transition that was costly, and then in the two-time changes I rode poorly, confusing her completely. That was my fault – she likes clarity and assertiveness, and I gave her the exact opposite. These are lessons I need to absorb: knowing when to push and give her confidence, when to challenge her, and when to back off. That’s something that only time and mileage in the ring will teach us.”
Lyndal reminds herself that she’s not Patrik, who has had five years with the mare and knows every detail inside out. “I’ve only really found my way with this mare in the past six months. So, I can’t expect perfection yet – but what I can do is take my time, learn with her in the arena, and build the trust step by step.
“What excites me is the potential. We already earned 8.5 for several movements, and I know what I’m capable of once I understand her more deeply. For now, it’s about patience, listening, and growing together. The feeling she gave me was fantastic, and it makes me genuinely excited for the future.”
Lyndal is enjoying building a new partnership with Forever Young. Image supplied.
CDI SUCCESS
Since then, Lyndal and Forever Young have stepped out at their first CDI: Covalliero Dressage Days at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, Germany. They scored an impressive 69.326% for fifth place in a strong field on over 20 combinations in the CDI3* Grand Prix; an FEI MER for the upcoming World Championships in Aachen, and a qualifying score that would be considered under the current Australian selection criteria.
It was then a podium finish in the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle, where the duo scored a huge 75.925% for third place!
LIFE IN GERMANY
For Lyndal, life in Germany is full, competitive, and never dull. “Of course, I miss Australia — my family, my friends, and the culture of home will always hold a special place in my heart. But being here has opened up incredible opportunities.”
One of those opportunities is the highly competitive training environment. “Patrik has a strong team around him, including Malin [Wahlkamp-Nilsson] and several members of the Swedish Olympic squad, which keeps the standard very high.
“We also have Australian riders joining us here, which is exciting and makes it feel a little closer to home. I’ve been working very hard, and though at times it feels like we’re only just scratching the surface, it’s inspiring to be part of such an intense and professional setup.
“In the lead-up to the European Championships, the Swedish team even spent time here, training and bonding as a group. That added another layer of energy and motivation. There’s always something happening — it’s never quiet, never boring.”
On top of the riding and competition, life has been busy at home too. “Our daughter just started school last week, which is a big milestone for us here, and it’s added to the sense of everything being a little bit chaotic. But it’s the good kind of chaos, and at the end of the day, we know we’re lucky to be living this life.”
“It’s wonderful to see how a
mature horse at the peak of her
career can continue to grow…”
INSPIRED BY CATHRINE & FREESTYLE
Lyndal has found the Danish partnership of Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour with Mount St John Freestyle inspiring. “It’s wonderful to see how a mature horse at the peak of her career can continue to grow with another successful rider [Freestyle was formerly ridden at the elite level by Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin]. Their partnership is a reminder that the journey doesn’t end when one chapter closes; instead, it can begin a new one with just as much success and joy.”
For Lyndal, watching the new partnership gave her a new perspective. “Cathrine’s work with Freestyle made me feel less hesitant about the idea of taking on a horse that was a little older. Instead of focusing only on a nine-year-old, I realised that a 13-year-old still has so much to offer — years of competition, experience, and the ability to form a meaningful new partnership. That influenced my own decision-making and gave me confidence that choosing maturity over youth can be just as rewarding.
“It’s a beautiful example of how, in our sport, horses can continue to flourish in new hands, building fresh connections and carrying their experience forward into the next chapter of their careers.” EQ
Related articles
Four-time Garryowen winner Caroline Wagner reflects on her memorable victories at Melbourne Royal, the preparation and partnership behind success, and her ongoing role helping riders create their own Garryowen memories through Wagner’s Saddlery.
Jessica Dertell is making waves with stallion Osaka P. Their Open Medium and Elementary Championship wins at the Brisbane CDI confirmed them as an exciting dressage combination with enormous potential.