Dressage rider Abi Lyle on her future stars, greatest recommendation and going eventing

Eire’s Abi Lyle achieved what many prime riders aspire to and solely a choose few attain when she competed on the Paris Olympics this summer season – however what does the longer term maintain?

Abi thrives on coaching horses – extra so than competing – and that hasn’t modified since driving on the Olympics.

“It’s humorous, I don’t have kids however they are saying doing an Olympics is like childbirth and that you just say ‘By no means once more’. Then time passes and also you assume, ‘Hmm, perhaps I might do it once more’. I’m nonetheless transitioning,” laughs Abi.

“After all, if I’ve acquired a horse that’s good on the time, then completely. However I’m not going to say ‘Proper which one’s going, what am I going to do?’. We’ll simply see.”

Abi Lyle’s present horses

Abi has a promising string of six horses; her prime rides Giraldo (Arty) and Farrell are joined by eight-year-old Francesca II (Jesse), who’s competing at prix st georges, seven-year-old Solar Rose (Shirley), who’s at superior medium, plus five-year-olds Olenza (Lenny) and Firedance Caledonia (Fawkes).

Abi Lyle getting Olenza (Lenny) prepared together with her associate Mark McVicar. Credit score: Peter Nixon

Abi produced Arty and Farrell from younger horses to grand prix, and it was Farrell she rode on the 2023 European Championships. They had been each certified for Paris, however Abi leaned in direction of Arty, with the ambiance in thoughts.

“After I discovered there was a Paris slot I needed to focus extra on the one I’d take and I believed I might do a greater job with Arty. I really feel responsible for saying that, and there have been instances I questioned my choice, even not that far out from choice,” she explains.

“I knew Paris was going to be an environment like I’d by no means skilled earlier than, and Arty is probably the most bombproof, chilled, easy-going horse. That’s actually why I selected him as a result of I knew when he noticed all of the issues he’d see, he could be completely effective – and he was.

“However it’s good they’re on the similar stage; they’re very completely different to journey however they complement one another, if there’s one thing you would like you had extra of on one, you’ll be able to journey it on the opposite and get that feeling.”

Giraldo (Arty) loved some down time after the Video games – although hacking is a part of his common routine

Since getting back from Paris, Arty has been simply ticking over, then headed to the Burghley dressage demo, and Abi says he feels “so good and contemporary” following the Video games.

“I’m unsure what’s subsequent for Arty, I liked the London Worldwide, so perhaps he’ll do this – or perhaps Farrell desires to try this.”

Discussing her string, Abi says “there isn’t a weak hyperlink”.

“They’re all beautiful and actually robust in several areas,” she says.

“They’ve all acquired good temperaments, and I’ve acquired such fantastic and supportive house owners. You’ve acquired to be actually assured within the individuals you may have round you and who’s going to be standing there whenever you’re going into these massive occasions, and I’m over the moon to have them standing there within the kiss and cry.”

Abi Lyle education Solar Rose (Shirley). Credit score: Peter Nixon

Abi’s prime rides could also be geldings, however she “loves” working with mares.

“I’m inclined to say I’m excellent with mares, and I feel I’m good with them as a result of I’m one. You talk about the whole lot with them and also you decide your battles. I feel it’s vital with each to determine what you’re fussy about and what you’re not,” she says.

“A rule I’ve with all horses, if you happen to’re getting nowhere then it’s OK to give up that day. They gained’t maintain a grudge. Particularly with mares, I feel there’s days the place issues can simply be a fluke. With one, she was leaping the whole lot after which at some point wouldn’t go over a pole, then the subsequent was completely effective. Some days you’ll be able to say ‘It’s not as we speak’, and that’s vital with mares.”

Abi Lyle – not only a dressage rider

Trying additional forward, Abi reveals plans to combine issues up – she has a love for showjumping, however hold your eyes peeled for her on a cross-country course.

“Ingrid Klimke, that’s the vibe,” says Abi. “I’d love to have the ability to dabble in different issues. I don’t assume I might occasion to three-star or something like that, however I’d like to perhaps have a toe in one other self-discipline. For me the thought of getting a medal or scoring 80% is just not as inviting because the potential of having the ability to be working throughout disciplines – that’s slightly bit extra of a purpose I’d have for now. I don’t understand how I’m going to attain it as a result of I’d want one other horse, however that’s one thing I’d be tremendous focused on.

“I’m imagined to be doing a British Eventing BE80 competitors quickly with a consumer’s horse. If we don’t get it achieved earlier than the top of the season it’s not the top of the world, nevertheless it’s going occur in some unspecified time in the future – and it has to occur as a result of I’ve informed the entire of Instagram, and the Irish eventing group, so I’d look actually foolish if I didn’t do it!”

Abi loves leaping and incorporates small jumps and polework in coaching her dressage horses. Credit score: Peter Nixon

Abi will even proceed together with her common teaching commitments.

“It’s been a journey in teaching, I actually lacked confidence with it and I nonetheless do generally. However I get pleasure from it and I feel it actually helps my driving. You’ll be instructing somebody and so they’re having an issue and also you magic up an train, after which assume ‘I’ll use that’,” she says.

Being real looking

In relation to giving others recommendation on following their desires, Abi says crucial factor is to set achievable targets – a mantra she adopted in Paris.

“I learn a ebook by Steve Magness, a tremendous sports activities coach. He says if you happen to’re doing one thing vital take your final 5 scores and common them, and that’s your purpose. He says it’s so vital to be real looking about what you wish to obtain or in any other case you’re going to be disillusioned,” explains Abi.

“Have your desires completely, however in terms of what you’re doing now be tremendous real looking, since you don’t get higher by not being assured. When you’ve got an achievable intention and also you attain that you then’re going to get extra assured. And also you’ve acquired to be ready for one thing being troublesome. A very good motto I’ve, and this was my motto going into Paris was, ‘That is going to be laborious however I’m completely succesful’.”

Abi achieved greater than she thought attainable in Paris, driving her coronary heart horse Giraldo (Arty). Credit score: Peter Nixon.

There is no such thing as a doubt that Abi is happy with her Paris achievements, however when requested if it has modified her life, it’s a straightforward no.

“I got here dwelling to my similar little home, and the whole lot each day is identical. I’m the identical,” she says diplomatically, however she has already been noticed for her achievements when exterior of horses, due to her new tattoo of the Olympic rings accompanied by Giraldo’s identify.

“The one factor I’d say is in ‘civilian’ life, being on the Olympics is one thing that folks know what you’re speaking about. I used to be on the Taylor Swift live performance and somebody noticed my tattoo and so they stated ‘Could I ask, did you do the Olympics?’ It’s a very good speaking level,” laughs Abi.

“However on a deeper stage, I actually didn’t know if I might do the Olympics, to journey in that type of ambiance and maintain my nerve, and I did. And I’m actually, actually proud.”

One factor that’s subsequent for Abi is a well-deserved break – and her first vacation in 5 years.

You may also be focused on:

H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has lined a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed prime riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Citadel Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.