Lyndal Oatley and Elvive. Image: Digishots.
Lyndal Oatley retires champion Grand Prix mare Elvive
By Equestrian Life
Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley has today shared the sad news that her champion Grand Prix mare, Elvive, has been retired from the sport.
“With emptiness I share with you the retirement of Elvive,” said Lyndal via social media. “As a strong contender for this year’s Olympic team, I had high hopes for this mega talented mare. However the decision to move forward… or not as fate has decided… has unfortunately been a simple one.
“Elvive sustained an injury in the final moments before entering the arena in Lier [CDI, Belgium in March 2024] for the Special, where she was in top form and was highly placed in the Grand Prix. Despite the team’s best efforts we cannot help her return to top sport.
“I have had some of my most amazing rides with her in the arena where I thought aiming higher was possible. She won her first national Grand Prix with a score of over 76%. Ellie then continued this success with multiple wins and high places throughout her international career.
“Elvive made the team for Tokyo during the pandemic, but as a new mother the risk of being away from our daughter was too much, with both her parents in Olympic teams, so I opted to stay home.
“I sat with her after colic surgery last year hoping she would survive and being the fighter she is, not only did that but also made her return to the competition arena for several placings at international level. Ultimately Ellie has held my heart and dreams since we first met. We will now focus on Ellie becoming a mum.”
Lyndal also explained that her young Grand Prix horse, Dante’s Herzchen, would not be vying for Olympic selection. “Elvive‘s stable companion Dante’s Herzchen will not be stepping up for her chance of Olympic team contention. At the young age of 10, this talented mare has an amazing future ahead and I want to give her the time to develop and nurture this process. I am very excited for her future and horses like her don’t come along very often in a lifetime and her welfare and best interests come first.”
Equestrian Life’s thoughts are with Lyndal and the team. We look forward to seeing Herzi vying for selection for Aachen 2026 and Los Angeles 2028, as well as Elvive’s offspring flying the flag for Australia in the future.
Published 4 June 2024.
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