A new addition to the stable of Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley, eight-year-old mare Dante’s Herzchen is already turning heads after her winning Small Tour debut in Germany. However, as Lyndal explains, early competition success is just a bonus – the real focus has been on building trust and confidence as a partnership.
Australian dressage star Lyndal Oatley has enjoyed success of late competing her Grand Prix horses Elvive and Eros, with both in contention for World Championship team selection this year. However, recently at an event in Ankum, Germany, it was a new horse that caught everyone’s eye – a near-black mare by the name of Dante’s Herzchen, who won her Prix St Georges debut with an impressive 78.69%.
The result surprised even Lyndal, whose main aim of their first test together was simply to have a positive experience they could build on. “I didn’t go in there aiming for anything except a positive experience for us both. It was a strong start field, but that didn’t impact anything for me as I was only thinking about one movement at a time and giving us a good start to our competition journey,” says Lyndal. “Herzi really trusted me in the arena and gave a great feeling. I didn’t go for it at all, but just wanted a steady and confident test. She will give her all in there and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”
Lyndal explains that she began searching for a new horse after selling her beloved mare, Diva. “I had sold Diva to an adorable girl in Sweden and wanted to find something to bring along again. I had contacted a friend of mine, Michi Wantia (who found Sandro Boy, Toystory and Scandic for Lyndal and husband Patrik Kittel), and explained what I was searching for. He said he had seen one that could be my type of horse and sent a video of Herzi.
“We really liked her gaits and that’s what we were drawn to. Michi explained that she would need a certain type of rider, and had been delayed in her training after a rough start so had not a lot of experience. Santi (Santiago Damil), who we purchased her from, had spent a year re-educating her and gave her the time she needed by going back to basics. I loved her even more for that, as that’s a journey that can be very rewarding and offer a chance to develop a special bond.” Lyndal explains that she’s remained in touch with Santi, who has been happy to help and provided her with advice and insight on how to prepare Herzi in the lead-up to Ankum.
Herzi has been with Lyndal at Eulenhof since mid-2021, and Lyndal says she’s taken her time with the mare, at first working on establishing trust, confidence and the basics, especially straightness and balancing her on both reins. “Towards the end of 2021 we began working on the short steps in hand, which she showed great talent for, but we left it from then to focus on the Small Tour.
“When we returned from a trip home (Lyndal confirms that by ‘home’ she means Australia, of course!), Patrik randomly said we should aim for the first show at Ankum. I was a tad shocked, as I hadn’t thought about shows yet, but the winter season in Ankum offered a great opportunity to gain show experience without too much going on around her, so we could continue developing her confidence.”
The word ‘Herzchen’ translates to ‘darling’ in English, and Lyndal says the eight-year-old Hanoverian mare is living up to her name. “She has a huge heart and a sweet and charming character but is slightly insecure… which is endearing. She also loves a cuddle!”
And as you might have guessed via the first part of her name, Dante’s Herzchen is by none other than Dante Weltino, the stunning stallion ridden by Swedish team rider Therese Nilshagen at many international championships – including the Tokyo Olympics. Her dam is Herzchen, who is by Hochadel (Hohenstein 4).
It certainly seems that Herzi takes after her father, at least in terms of looks, and Lyndal agrees: “As she is developing muscles, she is looking more and more like her dad. Being part of the Swedish team for so long now (through husband Patrik) I know Dante very well and love his sweet, gentle character and his ability and willingness in the ring. Herzi has these characteristics and is starting to develop a canter like her dad; it can feel like she has wings.”
For the short term, Lyndal plans to ride a few young horse Prix St Georges tests with Herzi during the first part of this year, with the goal being to contest the Nürnberger Borg-Pokal – a German national series for developing Prix St Georges horses that culminates in a prestigious final.
“Then we will decide if we stay there or go to international Small Tour level. She is showing a lot of talent for the Grand Prix, but we will chip away at that over the year,” says Lyndal, who sees the Olympics in Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 as possible long-term goals, given the mare is just eight years of age.
Herzi has had no trouble fitting in to life at Eulenhof, with Ellie (Elvive) her stablemate and Ross (Eros) her paddock buddy. “They are all great with one another,” says Lyndal of her team. “I pinch myself that I get to ride three totally different horses with polar opposite characters, all talented in their own ways. It’s a lot of fun and it is teaching me a lot!” EQ
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