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 simply say ‘By no means once more’. Then time passes and also you suppose, ‘Hmm, perhaps I may do it once more’. I’m nonetheless transitioning,” laughs Abi.
“In fact, if I’ve received 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 along with her companion 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 environment in thoughts.
“Once I came upon there was a Paris slot I needed to focus extra on the one I might take and I believed I may do a greater job with Arty. I really feel responsible for saying that, and there have been occasions I questioned my determination, 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 essentially 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.
“Nevertheless it’s good they’re on the identical stage; they’re very completely different to journey however they complement one another, if there’s one thing you want you had extra of on one, you possibly can 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 undecided what’s subsequent for Arty, I beloved the London Worldwide, so perhaps he’ll do this – or perhaps Farrell desires to do this.”
Discussing her string, Abi says “there isn’t a weak hyperlink”.
“They’re all attractive and actually sturdy in numerous areas,” she says.
“They’ve all received good temperaments, and I’ve received such fantastic and supportive house owners. You’ve received to be actually assured within the folks you might have round you and who’s going to be standing there whenever you’re going into these large 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 every thing with them and also you choose your battles. I feel it’s necessary with every one to resolve what you’re fussy about and what you’re not,” she says.
“A rule I’ve with all horses, when you’re getting nowhere then it’s OK to stop 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 every thing after which someday wouldn’t go over a pole, then the subsequent was completely effective. Some days you possibly can say ‘It’s not in the present day’, and that’s necessary 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 maintain 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 suppose I may 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 concept of getting a medal or scoring 80% isn’t as inviting because the potential of with the ability to be working throughout disciplines – that’s slightly bit extra of a aim 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 inquisitive about.
“I’m speculated to be doing a British Eventing BE80 competitors quickly with a shopper’s horse. If we don’t get it performed earlier than the top of the season it’s not the top of the world, however it’s going occur sooner or later – and it has to occur as a result of I’ve informed the entire of Instagram, and the Irish eventing crew, 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 may also proceed along with her common teaching commitments.
“It’s been a journey in teaching, I actually lacked confidence with it and I nonetheless do typically. However I take pleasure in it and I feel it actually helps my driving. You’ll be educating somebody and so they’re having an issue and also you magic up an train, after which suppose ‘I’ll use that’,” she says.
Being life like
Relating to giving others recommendation on following their desires, Abi says a very powerful factor is to set achievable objectives – a mantra she adopted in Paris.
“I learn a ebook by Steve Magness, an incredible sports activities coach. He says when you’re doing one thing necessary take your final 5 scores and common them, and that’s your aim. He says it’s so necessary to be life like about what you wish to obtain or in any other case you’re going to be dissatisfied,” explains Abi.
“Have your desires completely, however in relation to what you’re doing now be tremendous life like, since you don’t get higher by not being assured. If in case you have an achievable intention and also you attain that you then’re going to get extra assured. And also you’ve received to be ready for one thing being tough. A extremely good motto I’ve, and this was my motto going into Paris was, ‘That is going to be onerous 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 isn’t any doubt that Abi is pleased with her Paris achievements, however when requested if it has modified her life, it’s a straightforward no.
“I got here house to my identical little home, and every thing daily is identical. I’m the identical,” she says diplomatically, however she has already been noticed for her achievements when exterior of horses, because of her new tattoo of the Olympic rings accompanied by Giraldo’s identify.
“The one factor I might 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 may do the Olympics, to journey in that kind of environment 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 inquisitive about:
Abi Lyle driving Solar Rose (Shirley) – treats are at all times readily available throughout coaching.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Abi Lyle describes her Olympic journey Giraldo, recognized at house as Arty, as a “much less is extra type of man”.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Abi Lyle at house along with her canine.
Credit score: Steve Dawe / Actual Time Imaging
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
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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 only a few. 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 Fortress Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to house. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting crew for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
