Christopher Bartle is a not only an equestrian legend but a very nice one. He has a list of achievements as long as your arm, 6th individually in the dressage at the Los Angeles Olympics riding Wily Trout, winner of Badminton Horse Trials in 1998 on Word Perfect and Fellow of the British Horse Society to name just a few, but in recent times it has been his success with the German eventing team that has the world wanting him to coach their riders.
Currently the National Coach to the German Olympic Three Day Event Team, winners of Team Silver and Individual Gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Team, Individual Gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012 and at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Chris may be stepping down from the role after sixteen years for a new challenge as the British eventing coach. As well as it being a logical move professionally it is the perfect time for Chris to try and spend a little more time with his family in England
“My young daughter Poppy would certainly like to see a bit more of me” he laughs
During his tenure as the German National coach, Chris has continued as far as possible to teach at his home base at the Yorkshire Riding Centre where Olympian and local rider Nicola Wilson is one of his regulars. But he doesn’t just focus on elite riders; he is just as happy to teach less experienced riders on their own horses
Prior to his role with the German team Chris visited Australia regularly to coach but his visit in November to Adelaide for the Australian International 3 Day Event will be his first visit since 2002.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the changes” said Chris when we caught up with him recently in the UK to ask him about his coming visit and the themes of his MasterClass to be held on Friday, November 4th
“It’s about how we can combine our dressage training with our cross country riding and not have them in separate boxes. If we can work on our horses’ balance yet retain their initiative, keeping the connection at the same time as the rider staying in the right place then we have the best chance of safe cross country riding”
Chris Bartle (apologies for the background noise in the recording – it was a windy day!)
