Another new combination for the USA , Endel Ots (USA) and Zen Elite’s Bohemian, a 14-year-old Westphalian gelding (Bordeaux 28 x Samarant) also owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, finished second with 71.021% in a harmonious test.

Ready for Everything

Endel Ots (USA) and Zen Elite’s Bohemian ©Mary Phelps 2024

“I was really happy with the feeling in the test with him,” said Ots. “I was a little bit nervous going around the outside, and he felt nice and fresh. He’s ready within five minutes to go through the tests. It’s a lot more just making sure that I’m mentally ready for going through the tests. He’s ready for everything. You’re really asking him in the ring to do things. It’s not so much telling him anything. He’s a really, really intelligent horse.”

After five successful years under Danish Olympian Catherin Laudrup-Dufour that included European Championships and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Bohemian went on to compete with Korean rider Dong Seon Kim and Swedish Olympian Patrik Kittel before being offered for sale once again.

Graduating From The Developing Horse Program to The Big Time

Ots, who had been working with Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian for two years, went to try “Bohemian” when Humphries wanted to buy the talented horse. Ots remembered, “I loved him the second I got on him. Recently Heidi actually texted me a screenshot. She said, ‘Do you remember what you said when you texted me after your first ride on him?’

“She sent me a screenshot and it said, ‘I’ll sell one of my kidneys, give my firstborn child, whatever I have to do, to ride him,” laughed Ots. “That’s how it came to be.”

While Ots has plenty of experience competing with young horses and in Small Tour CDI classes as well as training other riders, he had not shown at the grand prix level internationally until Bohemian came into his life in 2024. This Grand Prix Special test was their fourth class together.

Ots works with a sports hypnotist to prepare for competition and felt ready for competition on Saturday morning. “I felt way more confident in there,” he said. “I know when my mind is in the right spot, and I know when it’s not in the right spot. I feel really good, and I am just really grateful to be a part of Heidi’s team and able to be up there with Adrienne and Katherine and Kasey. It’s really a dream come true, and I’m very thankful.”