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‘If I couldn’t compete it wouldn’t bother me’: Olympian Abi Lyle’s training mantras, including why praise, variety and turnout are key

This summer, Abi Lyle represented Ireland at her first Olympic Games with Giraldo (aka Arty) and H&H has delved into her training regime and ethos that got her there – in this interview exclusively for subscribers

  • Top riders often talk about developing their own system, but modest Irish dressage rider Abi Lyle says she’s “still figuring this out”.

    “I don’t know how much of a style of my own I have yet. I’m obviously heavily influenced by Carl (Hester) and Gareth (Hughes), but I’m also influenced by being Irish in that I love jumping and doing a bit of everything,” she says.

    Perhaps surprisingly for an Olympic rider, it’s not competition that motivates Abi.

    “It’s not that I’m not grateful for the success I’ve had competing, but I just really love working with horses, training them and being with them,” she explains.

    Abi Lyle riding right shoulder-in in canter towards the camera on Sun Rose (Shirley) in the indoor school.

    Abi Lyle is more interested in training horses, and building a partnership with them, than competing. Credit: Peter Nixon

    “I loved the covid lockdown, I thrived so much. For some reason if I couldn’t compete it wouldn’t bother me… I enjoy it when I compete, but it’s not where my motivation lies,” she explains.

    “Some people might say I’m not a great sportsperson for that reason, but I think it’s a good mindset to have as an equestrian. I’m more interested in partnership and longevity with horses, than scores.”

    What does Abi Lyle look for in a horse?

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