David McKinnon and Forlan. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
The lead-up to Christmas was an exceedingly sad time for Carol Oatley. It proved to be the end of a wonderful chapter with her heart horse, Forlan. Known as ‘Alan’ at home, the chestnut gelding who had created so much joy for her sadly succumbed to an unexpected bout of colic.
Forlan’s journey began in Germany after he was purchased from Denmark as a non-licensed stallion by Sven Rothenberger. He was first shown by Michele Schulmerig in 2014 at a handful of local shows. The ride was allocated to Daniel Bachmann Andersen, whilst still in Denmark, and he showed the horse at the 2014 Danish Young Horse Championships and placed 13th in the four-year-old final. Bachmann left for Blue Hors and Maik Kohlschmidt took the ride on Forlan. He showed him at the 2015 Danish Young Horse Championships and placed ninth in the consolation round.
Carol Oatley with Forlan. Image supplied.
Forlan then relocated to Patrik Kittel and Lyndal Oatley’s yard in Germany, where Patrik’s assistant Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson rode him. She debuted the chestnut in May 2016 at M-level and in 2017 at S-level. She took him to Falsterbo Horse Show, where he won the seven-year-old championship. He won many classes to Prix St Georges level and was training all the Grand Prix movements.
When asked about Alan’s character — what was special and unique about it — Lyndal replied with the kind of smile you can hear in her words: “He was from day one adored in our stables. He was an absolute character, and we all grew to love him so much. He was a horse who really showed he enjoyed to bond with one special person.
“For Alan, that person was Malin,” Lyndal continues. “They got to know each other so well there was no need for any other interaction between Patrik nor myself. Malin came to enjoy his character immensely — his joi de vie, smart attitude and his enthusiasm for work — and Patrik and Lyndal watched on with great enthusiasm, enjoying the progress in his training and competition scores. Alan was a horse that needed to bond with one rider. He thrived on continuity and consistency and through this a real partnership and bond was created between the two.”
On asking Malin about her relationship with Alan, her tribute reflects the warmth of someone who truly knew the horse.
“Alan was one of my most favourite horses. He loved attention and was always up for the riding,” says Malin. “He was a clown in the stable and very much loved by the grooms as well. He was a hot horse and always ready to do his work… sometimes even too eager. But on the shows, he was always fantastic to ride in the ring and he focused 100 per cent on me. As soon as he was inside that white fence and we went up the line, he didn’t put a foot wrong.”
Back home in Australia, Carol Oatley, Lyndal’s mother, always loved to be involved in the sport and of course was always supportive of Lyndal and her horses, of which she was fully involved.
She loved the training and all that went with it — and she felt a little left out not having a horse here in Australia to watch and to adore. Her love of horses had been with her since she was a child, and “Alan”, as Forlan was known, would go on to become one of her favourites.
Carol had her eyes open through Lyndal to find a horse and Forlan ticked all the boxes.
AUSTRALIAN CAREER BEGINS
In 2018, Alan was imported into Australia and went into training on the NSW Central Coast with Gina Montgomery. He competed at Small Tour at Willinga Park in February 2020, winning classes there. Being by Jazz, Alan was certainly not discreet and laidback. In fact he was enthusiastic — a real worker — and often tried way too hard with a great mind that was at times overly charged.
Gina Montgomery competing with Forlan at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea in 2020. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Later he was moved to the stables of David and Robbie McKinnon in the Southern Highlands, with David proceeding to ride him. For Carol, it meant everything was closer to her home: she could go and watch and enjoy becoming part and parcel of this horse’s being — because this is what she wanted. This is what she adored, and she loved Alan’s character and loved to be a part of his everything, albeit from the ground.
Lyndal could identify exactly the sort of horse her mother was looking for in Australia. “Mum loves big character. She adores quirkiness and exudes patience and has all the time to create friendship, compassion, thoughtfulness and is always willing to do the best thing for any horse with no time constraints nor eagerness to compete — and there was no doubt that with this, Alan was going become a super horse for Mum to adore and enjoy. Gina did a great job in the early days to Small Tour, and then when David took over the ride it was closer to home for Mum to go and watch and to enjoy.
“We always knew it would work. Whether he ended up being a superstar competition horse or not, it didn’t matter. It was about the journey and the love of training, wellbeing mentally and physically, and to see the outcome. We were all sad here in Germany to see him leave for Australia but knew it was going to be a fabulous time ahead, and that, it absolutely has been.”
BRIDGING THE GAP
Continuing with Lyndal’s outlook on Alan, the story becomes not only about a horse, but about distance and connection — Germany and Australia, separated by oceans but linked by one chestnut gelding.
“He was very important to me. He was so important to bridge the gap between me living in Germany and Mum being in Australia — and for Mum to have a horse that she could enjoy, go to competition, be a part of her life at home — and also for me to be part of the input in Australia helping guide the road to Grand Prix with David. That was where I was able to be a part of the team, helping through video lessons with David.
“Mum watched it all unfold and was at the helm. It was an exciting time and we were all one family — and Mum was able to enjoy her horses and her dressage and me, despite the fact that I wasn’t always there. I had the best fun in the last few years when I knew that Alan found his best mate, David. It was a beautiful partnership. We all grew together with mutual trust and respect and many laughs. We all found each other and did some fantastic things together. Alan was at the centre of all this and what a time we all had, especially Mum.
“It was so fabulous to have Alan fulfill all those things — and believe me, it wasn’t about the competition and his success. It was about the story behind a beautiful chestnut horse called Forlan, who gave us so much pleasure and joy. He will so sadly missed by all of us.”
Of course, David with patience and no pressure was slow and steady in getting Alan on his side in the beginning. There was no push from Carol and she believed that Alan would let everyone know when the time was confident and confirmed to compete. He then won with David at Small Tour then Medium Tour and then at Grand Prix. Forlan won with scores over 70% and was a chance for selection ahead of the Paris Olympics.
However, it was agreed that it was a little early for that and as his confidence was becoming so good, it wasn’t worth the sudden push to take a step up to that level and take him overseas. Alan continued to train and became super confident with David trail-riding him through the vineyards where he was stabled and gained great confidence and understanding of all the movements in the Grand Prix.
As David says, “Even the piaffe was becoming a highlight, when in the early days it was a serious lowlight! Alan simply was so enthusiastic he just boiled up about it. We eventually all came to the same page and then it was no longer a point-and-pray moment in the tests but a time we helped each other out and was in the end understandable, adjustable and fun!”
Carol says that what set Alan apart from other horses and made him such a close partner was he loyalty, intelligence and playfulness.
Forlan with Dave and Robbie McKinnon, and their son Archie. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
“He was on my side
because I was on his!”
BOND BUILT ON TRUST
“It was the fact that Alan trusted me so much and by the end we could do anything together,” reflects Dave. “In the beginning he was quirky and tricky, partly because of his intelligence. In the beginning it was fun getting from the stables to the arena. In the end we would love to wander through the vineyards and go to the indoor and train. It was truly fantastic. He was on my side because I was on his! He was so smart that his game was to try and outwit you. It was nothing about his physical ability. He was the prime athlete — it was about trying to convince him to be on your side mentally. I say again: he was so smart.”
With a chuckle, David adds, “That wasn’t easy for me because, you know, I’m not overly intelligent, so it was tricky! Sometimes I thought he was way smarter than me!
“It was this mental discussion that made him so special with me. He was not like a horse to me. He was like my friend. Our house — the second storey is over the stables and above Alan’s. I’d walk out my front door and he was directly in front of me. His stable was under my bedroom. He literally was like family 24/7… he was a good sleeper with never a peep!”
On asking David what was his biggest and most wonderful moment with Alan, his reply was quick to be forthcoming — finishing third in the Grand Prix Freestyle on a PB score of 76.485% at the 2023 Australian Dressage Championships at Boneo Park.
Dave and Forlan competing at the 2023 Australian Dressage Championships, held at Boneo Park. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
“There was no question that it was the culmination of all our work — including Lyndal and Patrik teaching us twice a week, Lyndal organising the music for my freestyle, Carol being so supportive when everything was going well, and just as supportive when times were tough and always there to watch his progress and performance. It was a combination of a huge group effort. Alan brought us all together. He made us all feel part of the family, and it truly was like that.
GREATLY MISSED
A period of downtime followed, however Alan — with everyone’s faith and help — was eventually back in work and ready to look towards competition again.
“It was then that a sudden and untimely bout of colic ended his wonderful life with us,” says Carol. “It may sound a little corny that I talk about Alan as part of our family, but from my heart that’s just how it was.”
With Forlan, Australian dressage witnessed the rise of a great Grand Prix horse that was predominately trained here. Forlan delivered international quality tests and performances good enough to see him on selectors’ radars for an Olympics. To follow Forlan was to see patient and progressive work that always had the horse’s wellbeing and mental activity at the forefront. Encouraged and steered forward through the care and wisdom of owner Carol Oatley. From his first test through to his last it was always progressive. Never a step back in confidence, strength and improvement.
Dave and Forlan competing at the 2024 Sydney CDI. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
“Alan brought us all together.
He made us all feel part
of the family.”
Forlan made people sit up and look. Forlan was full of expression and vigour. Forlan loved to perform and, above all, Forlan was adored.
He loved Dave, who notes that he often rewarded Forlan with a carrot. “He loved me for my carrots but that paled into insignificance when he saw Carol, as Carol always had a whole bag!”
Forlan lived a wonderful life and he too thought he was special. May we always remember this wonderful gelding not only for his excellence in the arena but to be inspired by his good training and being understood.
What a story and what a wonderful recollection and learning experience Alan has left behind. Now to watch his baby brother through the ranks. EQ
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