8 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Sue Weakley
Todd Flettrich, a Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer based
in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and Wellington, Florida, is
a veteran competitor and trainer at the FEI levels. Todd and
Otto, a 16 year old Danish Warmblood owned by Margaret
Duprey, represented the United States at the 2010 Alltech FEI
World Equestrian Games. In June, the duo placed ffth at the
U.S. Olympic Dressage Selection Trials held in Gladstone,
New Jersey. They qualifed to travel to London for the Olympic
Games as alternates; but instead Todd and Margaret chose to
retire Otto. But even with Todd’s demanding training schedule to
make it to the top, he still found time to . . .
Tell us how it felt to go to the Selection Trials
in Gladstone . . .
It was such an honor to be at Gladstone - so much history. I
am just not nervous at competitions; but for the frst time in my
life, there was tension in the air. People’s lifetime goals and
journeys were possible there.
Tell us what it took to make it that far . . .
A wonderful sponsor like Margaret. A talented horse and rider.
An amazing team including a trainer, a groom, a vet, a farrier. A
properly ftting saddle (Otto has changed saddles three times)
and bridle. A strategy, dedication, hard work, time, energy and
lots of luck.
Tell us what moments in your career have made you the
most proud . . .
As a child, winning the North American Young Rider
Championship was amazing. Then being a part of the top
ranking WEG team and fnally, placing as the alternate for the
Olympics.
Tell us who inspires you . . .
Robert Dover is my hero. Jessica Ransehousen is amazing
and helped me in the beginning of my career. My European idol
is Hubertus Schmidt. Oded Shimoni, my trainer, is my mentor.
My American idol is Steffen Peters. It is always an honor to
compete against him.
Tell us who you’d invite for dinner, if you could ask anyone,
dead or alive . . .
My mother, who died when I was 21. I believe that today my
mother and I would be best friends.
Tell us what you would you cook for dinner…
I’m a New Orleans boy, so I’d make a mean red beans and rice.
Tell us your plans for the future . . .
To get back in the saddle. To continue training, teaching and
learning. To do some clinics. And to fnd another Grand Prix
horse -- Margaret and I are making plans to travel to Europe and
hope to fnd another horse as wonderful as Otto.
Tell us what you will look for when you search for your next
horse . . .
I love a beautiful horse, but pretty is as pretty wants to do.
Todd Flettrich Tells All
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Todd and Otto
Photo by SusanJStickle.com