Horse's Tale: Eros with Lyndal Oatley

This article is from the October 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

SYNOPSIS

Stable name: Ross
Height: 168cm
Breeding: KWPN
Owners: Sandy & Carol Oatley (Lyndal’s Parents)
Rider: Lyndal Oatley

Lyndal, how did Ross come into your life? I was looking for a project that could be a good Grand Prix horse for me potentially or a good sales horse. Patrik’s rider had seen a ‘cute grey with potential’ on Instagram and then we got side-tracked talking and forgot about it. A few weeks later a dealer friend from Sweden sent Patrik the video of Ross thinking he would suit me, and hysterically it was the same horse. We went to see him in Holland as quickly as we could and the rest is history.

What made you purchase him? I loved his can-do attitude and heart. From the moment I did my first step of trot I knew we would click. It was also 38 degrees and super-humid so I knew he would fight with me.

What was Ross’s history before you? He actually was originally in an eventing barn (can apparently really jump) at the beginning of his career. Then he was purchased by a half-blind para rider who competed him in France. Her trainer then began to train him and from there he was sent to Holland to be sold.

How was your first ride? It was all over the place. You could feel there was a very interesting horse under a talented yet very green and unsteady exterior. But he was fun and tried to adapt and I loved that. He clearly had a talent to already collect but everything lateral and to extend was going to be my focus to develop.

Did he have any training issues? He was very naturally crooked and strong and found it hard to find balance and one rhythm. He also didn’t have a lot of power and muscle, so we needed to take our time and develop him slowly as he has a big heart and will do all he can, even if his body is not ready.

What made you realise he was ready for a Grand Prix debut? He wasn’t quite ready, but it was very hard to find competitions and I needed to see where he was in his development. So we went and did it.

How did your first show together go? He didn’t even get to see the arena before the test. He was a fighter as I thought he would be, but lost his power. It was wobbly and green, but he didn’t want to make a mistake and he tried to the last halt so I knew we would get there with time. Sometimes you just have to jump in and learn in the arena. It really helped as we had made progress with our connection the week before, but he changed quite quickly, so the show helped me afterwards to find the right bit combinations, warm-up times, the feed changes needed and other little quirks that will help next time.

What are his strengths? His heart. Kind and willing and loves to work with you.

Explain what Ross is like to ride. He is like a pony. He is small and moves a little like an Andulusian, so it can feel short and quick in comparison to the others. He is naturally a little more stiff through the frame, so that takes some time to warm up and then when it’s on and you are training, he is like a little bouncy ball of joy. He can be cheeky, but I love that. They have to be their own person and be allowed to show character.

What has he taught you as a rider? That sometimes less is more.

What is Ross’s most annoying habit or quirk? Oh he could never be annoying. And his quirks are funny. He loves to lick you all over your face.

Strongest personality trait? His determination to please.

Preferred work environment? He is so far very consistent with that. He loves hacks, the gallop track, indoors and outdoors.

Work ethic? Sweet and driven.

How does he handle the big occasions? I will let you know! But he is a pleaser so I think he will handle it brilliantly and grow with the environment.

Weekly training regime? One day stretch, one or two days totally off in the paddock and walking and the rest training and paddock. I try to have my horses out in the paddock as long as possible to chill.

Does he have a best friend? He is one of those guys in the group that gets along with everyone but doesn’t draw attention. He is more the glue to all the other ones.

What is the first thing on your shopping list for him? Carrots as his apple tree is only twenty metres from his stable window.

When was the last time he made you laugh or cry? When he play spooked while Patrik’s rider Malin and I were walking and we got into a lively conversation using apparently more hand gestures than he is used to! I had to laugh as it was such a funny response.

What is your most treasured moment together? Every night I go and check him when Emilia my daughter has gone to bed. It’s just me and the horses and I love it.

What celebrity does he remind you of? He is a bit of a silver fox and charming so has to be George Clooney.

With the current break in competitions, what are you working on? Always swing, power, balance, self carriage. But perhaps right now more specifically we are working on halfpasses and joining test movements together.

What does the future hold for Ross? I have no idea. I enjoy the process. The rest is a bonus.

3 things we don’t know about Eros?
1. Ross is obsessed with drinking water from the water sprinklers outside his window. The video of him having a beverage has been viewed 620,000 times.

2. I nicknamed him Ross. The Euros find this so funny as it is to them so Aussie, which makes me love it more.

3. Ross is my daughter’s favourite and always waits for her over his door. He is pleased as he gets the most treats through this favouritism.

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