Grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler returns to the UK after more than a year at Van Olst Horses, as she prepares to take the next step in her career and set up independently.
The Brit moved to the Dutch yard in October 2024 – where teammate Lottie Fry is also based – following 14 years with the Bechtolsheimers. Laura Butler enjoyed her biggest career highlights to date during that period, from being British team reserve on Rubin Al Asad at three major championships to winning the national title in 2018.
Reflecting on her time in the Netherlands, Lara said the experience had delivered exactly what she hoped for.
“It’s been really good. I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “It was all new to me, and I had to learn a completely different system from what I was used to.
“But I think the best things happen when you get pushed out of your comfort zone and get challenged.”
A major difference, she explained, was the volume of riding.
“For me, it was a lot more riding. I usually ride around 10 to 12 horses a day, so you have to be much more disciplined with your time,” she said.
“The range of horses is so big – from young to old, stronger to lighter ones – and you adapt so much more because of that.”
She added that being immersed in the environment at the Van Olsts’ had been another highlight.
“Being around the training environment, especially training with Lottie and Glamourdale, and being so close to all the international shows, soaking all that up has been amazing.
“I feel like I’ve got many more tools in my toolbox now. When I come back, I want to take the good bits from both the Bechtolsheimers and the Van Olsts and turn that into my own system.”
Family considerations also played a key role in Lara Butler’s decision to return to the UK.
“I think I’ve been in a bit of a bubble, because I’m in the stable and horse bubble,” she said.
“My husband has had to do the school runs and be the school dad, and my son’s been at an international school, so it’s been good for him to experience a different culture. But we’re happy to come home – we miss family and friends.”
She added that although the Netherlands is not far away geographically, the distance was still felt.
“It isn’t too far away, but it’s far enough that you still miss out on things.”
Lara Butler’s return to the UK: her immediate plans
Lara will return to Laura Tomlinson’s base in Tetbury – Cranmore Farm, which Horse & Hound recently visited for an Access All Areas feature – where she will be renting seven stables.
She has previously described her decision to leave the UK for the challenge in the Netherlands as “bittersweet”, and her return brings fresh challenges of its own, as Lara aims to build a new string of horses from scratch.
“It’ll be nice to be back in a familiar base, but out on my own this time,” she said. “I’m hoping to have some training liveries and some competition liveries.”
Lara is due to return in March, and the new stables are set to be up and running in April.
“I think I’m at a point where I’m ready for it, and I should give it a go now,” she said. “I’ve done everything I possibly can to make it work – so now I’ve just got to bite the bullet and do it.”
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You may also be interested in:
‘Now was the time to give it a go’: British rider says fond farewell to Bechtolsheimers for new role at Van Olst Horses
‘The horses fit around the kids now’: at home with Laura Tomlinson at Cranmore Farm
Horse & Hound’s guide to starting a professional career in dressage
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