Walker and Torkkeli Share Life, Love, and Victory - Triple Win at 2023 CDI Le Mans

Shows

2023 CDI Le Mans

Life and business partners Thomas Walker and Ryan Torkkeli made it an America-Canadian sweep at the 2023 CDI Le Mans on 20 - 22 October 2023, winning three out of four FEI level classes they had entered. For the Cologne based couple the trip to Le Mans, France, paid off but for Walker it was particularly special as he made his come back to the international arena after a fifteen year break from CDI's.

A Cross Border Partnership

The 36-year old Walker is originally from Nipomo, CA, and competed Grundstein's Legacy at the 2008 North American Young Riders Championships in Parker, CO, his last international show. He sold the horse to client and friend Cynthia Makishima in 2009 and moved to Sweden to work as a professional rider at Dalhem Farm. In 2011 he met Canadian Ryan Torkkeli, fell in love, and they got married.

In 2013 the couple returned to the USA and ran a training and sales business in Nipomo and Coto de Caza, CA for six years until February 2019 when they received an offer they couldn't refuse. German horse owner Ingetraud Bolz asked the duo to run her stable in Cologne, Germany under the supervision of trainer Dieter Laugks. Ingetraud is brimming with a passion for horses. The boys said yes and it changes their lives.

Both Thomas and Ryan have competed extensively in Germany over the years with Ryan making his big international break through in 2021 on Laugks and Bolz' Rhinelander gelding Sternenwanderer (by Lord Loxley I x Ragazzo). Thomas waited patiently for Bolz' 9-year old Oldenburg gelding Ela Mana Mou (by Estobar NRW x Rubino Rosso) to mature to FEI level before taking him down the CDI centerline.

Into the Deep End

After successes at national L, M and S-level in Germany, Thomas decided to jump into the deep end with "Emu" and entered him for Le Mans. The pair won the Prix St Georges with 71.176% and finished fourth in the Intermediaire I with 67.706%.

"He was so good, especially the first day," a thrilled Thomas told Eurodressage. "He can be a bit insecure, especially in new places, but day one he was totally focused and with me. The second day I could feel he was a bit tired, so I rode him a bit more activity in the warm-up. He responded very well, but was then a little too “on”. Be careful what you wish for Thomas! This caused him to be a bit tense, especially in the canter. I had a lot of small, stupid mistakes; which really brought our score down in the I1. But it’s 100% my fault. I love this horse so much, he always tries 150% for me."

Stage Fright

When asked if he experienced any stage fright after a 15-year CDI absence, Thomas admitted, "I was a bit nervous of course, but only for myself. I know he’s a super good horse. I hoped to have a clean, harmonious ride, to show what we can do at home; and we were able to do that. I have to say, living and competing in Germany really prepares you for this. The standard here is incredibly high, because everyone is so good!"

Walker has a special connecioned with Ela Mana Mou, which means "Come On, My Darling" in Greek and also refers to a famous British Thoroughbred race horse from the 1980s.

"What makes him special is his desire to please," said Thomas. "He’s always ready for anything! Honestly, I get emotional about him.. We have a very special bond," said Thomas, who did not ride the Inter I kur with him in Le Mans. "I thought it would be too much.. He’s super fit, but I didn’t want to ask so much of him."

Aiming for the Stars

For 41-year old Torkkeli his time at the CDI Le Mans was equally fruitful weekend as he and his seasoned 17-year old Grand Prix horse Sternenwanderer scored a double victory in the big tour. They won the Grand Prix with 70.935% and the Freestyle with 74.995%.

"I was thrilled with the feeling I had in the Grand Prix," said Ryan. "I rode him more conservatively in the trot work. My goal was to to have a harmonious, clean test. We had an unplanned flying change before the first canter pirouette but other than that he was really with me the whole ride. It was a lot of fun to ride our freestyle again. The last few competitions we have ridden the Special. I love when the music starts and I know that Sternie knows that it’s time to dance."

Ryan and "Sterni" represented Canada at the 2022 World Championships in Herning and had a great 2023 season so far, starting at national level in Germany with a victory in the Short Grand Prix and an 81%+ score in the Kur. From there they went to the CDI's in Jardy, Crozet, Zurich and Troisdorf before making their way to Le Mans.

When asked why they were't running for a Canadian team spot for the 2023 Pan American Games, Ryan explained that "I declared for the Pan Ams with my small tour horse Snoop Dog. Unfortunately he had a small injury at the beginning of the season which prevented us from riding qualifiers. As amazing it would be to compete in Santiago with Sternenwanderer, we decided it would be best to stay in Europe and focus on Paris next year. But I have faith in my Canadian colleagues who are all very skilled and talented riders."

A Special Union

Walker and Torkkeli share life and love together with a mutual passion for horses and dressage strengthening their bond.

"Le Mans was incredibly special for us," said Ryan. "We have been married for ten years and have spent longer supporting each other to get to this level. We are each other's eyes on the ground every single day while Dieter Laugks comes for regular training and coaching at the competitions." Thomas added, "it was such an incredible weekend doing this together with my husband. I’m always there to support him, but to compete, as well, was really special."

Thomas and Ingretraud Bolz at home in Cologne

Walker has a string of horses ready to come out including Grand Prix horse High Tech (by Laurentio x Waldorf), 12-year old gelding Virilis (by Vivaldi x Sandro hit), 7-year old stallion Venano (by Veneno x Don Romantic) and the 12-year old Queen of the Hearts (by Quaterback x Don Romantic), whom Thomas describes as "an amazing mare, probably one of the most talented horses I’ve had in my career so far."

Both express deep gratitude to Ingetraud Bolz who makes their dreams come true. "She is the most generous, wonderful person I have ever had the pleasure to meet; and work with.. I owe so much to her," said Walker.