Australian Olympian Lyndal Oatley has withdrawn from Lier CDIO (20-24 May) in Belgium, after her 14-year-old Westfalen mare Forever Young HRH (Fuerst Fugger x Don Bosco) showed unexplained signs of discomfort.
“After great training yesterday, Flo came out of her box unsound. Sadly, we cannot find the source of her discomfort on X-ray or scan, so she will have a CT immediately,” explained Lyndal via social media.
“Unfortunately, this means no Lier, and who knows what’s ahead. This has not been my season, first breaking my foot and nearly two months off, and now poor Flo.”
Lyndal and Forever Young HRH had been named on the CDIO4* Nations Cup team for Australia alongside fellow Olympian Will Matthew with Faye 43 and Warwick McLean with Le Special.
“I’m sorry to let my team down and will cheer them on… but Flo is my focus. That you to everyone who is helping Flo and I through this… fingers cross for what’s ahead.”
Equestrians know all too well the highs and lows of the sport, and that even with the best care, things can still go awry. Equestrian Life’s thoughts are with Lyndal and her team, and we hope to see Forever Young HRH return to the competition arena in the near future.
A team of three is the minimum number required to post a Nations Cup team score; however Will and Warwick can still compete in the CDIO4* as individuals. The CDIO4* Grand Prix is an opportunity for both to post FEI World Championship qualifying scores.
Action set to get underway in Lier
CDIO Lier is set to commence from Wednesday afternoon local time (20 May) with the first half of the CDI1* Prix St Georges draw, which then continues Thursday morning local time (21 May).
For Australian viewers watching via ClipMyHorse.TV, the broadcast begins from 4pm AEST Thursday, 21 May.
Entered in the opening class, Warwick McLean is the first Australian in action with nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding Abtwald’s Goetterfunke (Grand Galaxy Win x Sandro Prinz). New to the Small Tour level, Abtwald’s Goetterfunke has been with Warwick since he was a four-year-old. At the recent Aachen Dressage Days, the combination won the PSG with 70.294% and placed second on 68.627% for the horse’s first Intermediate I.
Warwick is scheduled to start in the CDIO4* Grand Prix on Saturday (23 May) with 10-year-old KWPN gelding Le Special (Grey Flanell x Sir Oldenburg). Both Warwick and the horse were involved in multi-vehicle truck collision while travelling to the 2026 CDI Munich in Germany last week; although Le Special did suffer a laceration in the incident, Warwick reported that horse was showing no ill effects in the following days and was hopeful they could still start at Lier.
Olympian Will Matthew is due to start in the CDIO4* Grand Prix with 11-year-old chestnut Oldenburg mare Faye 43 (Fuerst Heinrich x Aljano 2). Faye 43 is relatively new to Big Tour level and this combination has seen a steady increase in scores at recent events as the partnership develops.
The CDIO4* Nations Cup field has attracted nine teams and several high profile combinations, including Belgium’s own Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus.
Draws and results from Lier CDIO will be available via Equi-Score.
