British grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler is about to start a brand new chapter in her profession, departing from her long-time position with the Bechtolsheimers after 14 profitable years.
As first reported by Eurodressage, Lara shall be taking on a driving place in November with the staff at Van Olst Horses within the Netherlands.
Lara informed Horse & Hound that the transfer got here after assembly Anne Van Olst at Aachen Dressage Days CDI3* in Could, the place Lara was competing at small tour with Amiek C (Ampere x Olivi).
“I’d mentioned to her that we have been operating a smaller yard in the mean time so I haven’t bought that many to compete, and clearly the grand prix horse I used to be driving, Kristijan, retired on the finish of final 12 months,” Lara defined.
“She mentioned ‘I’ve bought a great deal of horses in the event you’d have an interest’ after which I ummed and ahhed for months earlier than I lastly made the choice that now was the time to present it go whereas I’m nonetheless match and ready.”
Lara achieved her biggest profession milestones whereas driving the Bechtolsheimers’ horses. Her breakthrough as a grand prix rider got here aboard Andretti H, with whom she secured the reserve champion title on the 2012 Nationwide Championships.
With Rubin Al Asad, Lara served because the British staff reserve for the 2016 Olympics, 2017 European Championships, and 2018 World Equestrian Video games, and was topped nationwide champion in 2018.
Rubin Al Asad retired in 2021 at 19-years-old, and Lara continued her grand prix profession with the Bechtolsheimers’ first home-bred Kristjan and the pair recorded 43 top-10 placings of their 48 worldwide begins collectively.
Lara Butler driving Rubin Al Asad at Olympia in 2015. Credit score: Peter Nixon
Kristjan retired after the 2023 Nationwide Championships, aged 18, and since then Lara has been competing Amiek C – who’ll be shifting to the Netherlands with Lara – at small-tour.
“That call to depart was so exhausting,” Lara added, “they’re so beautiful right here and also you nearly really feel like a part of the household.
“I began right here at 21, and now I’m 35 – I believe! – so I’ve grown up right here. One of many highlights was having the ability to have the trip on Rubin Al Asad, getting the possibility to convey him up via the degrees and expertise the Olympics as a reserve was so particular.
“All of the horses have been improbable, but additionally the help Laura [Tomlinson] and I’ve been in a position to give one another as we’ve competed collectively, and gone out and in of pregnancies has set me up for all times.
“It’s bittersweet, once I needed to inform Laura the information I used to be crying, she was crying – they have been joyful tears, nevertheless it does looks like the tip of an period.
“However we’ve mentioned that we’ll all the time help one another and hopefully now we’ll be capable of see one another out competing on the circuit – I do know it’ll be good to have that pleasant face!”
Lara’s entire household shall be shifting out to the Netherlands, along with her younger son Jack beginning at a world college close by.
“He’s 5 so it’s a pleasant age for him to maneuver and it not disrupt his life an excessive amount of, so for him it may nonetheless be an journey somewhat than an upheaval,” Lara mentioned.
“However we’re all excited. I’ll get to trip a wider vary of horses, achieve extra worldwide expertise, and hopefully, which may open the door to being on some groups sooner or later. I’m additionally trying ahead to supporting Lottie [Fry] in the identical approach I’ve supported Laura right here.”
You might also be excited by:
Phoebe Peters with SL Lucci.
Credit score: Jon Stroud
There are a number of pathways now obtainable for a profession in dressage.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Lara Butler and Kristjan competing on the London Worldwide Horse Present 2021
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
Keep in contact with all of the information within the run-up to and all through HOYS, Maryland, Pau, London Worldwide and extra with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe as we speak for all it’s worthwhile to know forward of those main occasions, plus on-line experiences on the motion because it occurs from our professional staff of reporters and in-depth evaluation in our particular commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Arrange your limitless web site entry now
H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for prime dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Underneath Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
