Ryan Torkkeli, Neophyte on Canadian Dressage Team, Breaks Through in 2021

Focus

F.O.C.U.S.

The 39-year old Ryan Torkkeli proudly donned the red and white team jacket with maple leaf at the 2021 CDIO Aachen in September. The neophyte on the Canadian Dressage team made his big international break through this year.

A series of snow storms have worked as a compass to determine the direction and path in his life as an equestrian professional.

Riding By Chance

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a remote town that did not bring much excitement to Ryan's life, Torkkeli comes from a non-horsey family of Finnish heritage.

He only started riding at the age of 16, "by chance" as his sister was enrolled in a spring break riding camp at Barnyard Friends and not really interested in going, so he took her spot.

"I was always more drawn to "English" riding but I also rode some western and even gymkhanas," Torkkeli told Eurodressage. "When I was still in Thunder Bay, a good friend gave me advice that would change my life forever: "If you want to learn how to ride seriously, you need to go to Europe."

Cold Emailing

At that point Ryan was 19 and going to local college while working in a shoe and department store to make some money. He frantically searched the internet for a contact in Europe that was willing to take him.

"In my spare time I was cold emailing any trainer in Europe that had a website," he admitted. "I emailed Catherine Haddad. She promptly responded and said all positions were full in her barn, but she would still like to meet me when she is in Michigan for her next clinic. I drove with a friend 15 hours in a snow storm to meet Catherine. We didn’t even stay to audit the clinic because we had to get back home."

Half a year later, Ryan heard back from Haddad, an American Grand Prix rider and breeder who was based in Vechta (GER) at the time. She asked him if he still wanted to come to Europe.

"For me it was a no brainer and I started to pack my bags immediately," said Ryan. "Less than a week later I was in Germany with my rubber riding boots ready to show them what I was made of."

Dieter Laugks

In 2001 Torkkeli moved to Germany and stayed the next 11 years, initially working for Haddad until he was enticed by an offer to ride for German lawyer and Grand Prix rider Dieter Laugks in Düsseldorf.

"Dieter had some exciting horses and I was warmly welcomed to the family," Ryan reminisced. "This is also the time when Sonja Bolz was training with Dieter and I met Ingetraud Bolz (Sonja's mother) for the first time. I am always in awe of how Dieter can form a horse and rider into something really special while maintaining their essence."

When Laugks was headhunted by Meggle dressage stable to run their yard near Munich in Bavaria in 2006, Ryan joined his coach on a new adventure in the South of Germany.

Snow Storms as Compass

Five years later and for the second time in his career, a snow storm accompanied his decision making process in taking a new turn in life.

In 2011, Ryan had met U.S. Grand Prix rider Thomas Walker, who was riding at Dalhem Farm in Sweden at the time. They quickly became a couple and got married.

"Thomas is from California and in 2012 during a blizzard we made the decision to move to California and set up shop there," Ryan explained.

For six years the couple ran a training and sales business in Nipomo and Coto de Caza, CA until 2019 when they received an offer they couldn't refuse. With Sonja Bolz having given up riding entirely, Ingetraud Bolz asked the duo to come and ride for her in Germany under the supervision of Laugks.

Sternenwanderer

While Torkkeli has competed extensively in Germany the past two decades, his big international break through only came twenty years after landing in Europe.

Partnered with Laugks and Bolz' 15-year old Rhinelander gelding Sternenwanderer (by Lord Loxley I x Ragazzo), Ryan did his first Grand Prix in March at the CDN Darmstadt and he first rode down an international centerline in May in Munich, posting 68.804% in his first CDI Grand Prix.

From there he went to Le Mans (FRA), Grote Brogel (BEL), and Deauville (FRA), where he achieved his first victory in the Grand Prix Special.

"Nearly all the CDI‘s we competed at this year were also Olympic qualifiers for Tokyo," said Ryan. "This made for an exciting atmosphere and real competition feeling. We are proud that we achieved good results and placings."

Ryan of course knew Sternenwanderer since he was a "gangly 3-year old" but he obtained the ride on the Grand Prix level trained horse 2.5 years ago.

"I first rode Sternwanderer when visiting from California. I was visiting for a few days and Dieter asked if I wanted to sit on Sternie," Ryan reminisced. " I’ll never forget the first time I made the transition from walk to trot and felt the immense power that he has for the first time. Goosebumps.
Little did I know that Sternenwanderer would change my life forever. I took over the reins from Dieter when Sternie moved to Ingetraud Bolz’s stable near Cologne."

The tall bay gelding holds a unique place in Ryan's heart.

"Sternenwanderer is basically equine royalty," he said. "He knows it and expects to be treated accordingly. I can’t explain it any better. After riding hundreds of horses you imagine how it’s supposed to feel and on him that’s just how it feels. I first saw him as a gangly but beautiful 3 year old. Dieter did an impeccable job training him. Sternie is an excellent communicator. He really wears his heart on his sleeve and it isn’t ever a mystery as to what he is thinking. I’m very similar so I think he gets that too."

Stars Align

With Sternenwanderer at the 2021 CDIO Aachen

At the CDI Hagen in September, Ryan was decorated with the "German Riders' Badge in Gold" for having achieved 10 S-level victories, an amazing feather in his cap after twenty years of hard work and dedication.

As the pair had been regularly cracking the 70-71% marker at their string of CDI's this year, they caught the attention of the Canadian federation. Torkkeli was selected to represent Canada in the FEI Nations' Cup at the most prestigious, annual dressage competition in the world, the CHIO Aachen. With two 69% scored in the Grand Prix and Special, the pair has made its first steps towards a future as an elite Canadian dressage rider.

The CDIO Aachen experience had an impact.

"Aachen was a dream come true," said Ryan. "Our initial plan was to compete as an individual in the 4* competition but then we were invited onto the team for the CDIO 5*. It was an incredible experience to be a part of the Canadian team and finally meet everyone. Of all the riders in the world there are not very many that have the opportunity to compete in Aachen. I am so grateful the stars aligned and that we have an amazing support team that allowed this to happen."

Realisation

The year 2021 has been life changing and core shaking and Ryan only feels pure gratitude for the opportunities that came his way and the work he has put in.

"Thomas and I are sponsored by Ingetraud Bolz and without her support none of this would even be possible. She and Dieter have been instrumental in my life and career. I am incredibly grateful for them," he said. "I have spent a lot of time reflecting the last few weeks. It has been an exciting year to say the least."

Having tasted success, Ryan is looking forward to 2022 with the World Equestrian Games in Herning on the roster.

"We are working hard on improving our results and it would be very nice to work towards earning a spot on the team for the World Equestrian Games in Herning next year," he said.