Canadian WEG Team Rider Ryan Torkkeli Moves to Austria

Dressage

Canada

Canadian 2022 WEG team rider Ryan Torkkeli and his husband, American Grand Prix rider Thomas Walker, have found a new base in Austria.

Torkkeli and Walker were last employed in Bavaria at Meggle's Georgihof, but in February 2025 decided to go independent. They have now found a new base with Nicola Ahorner in Austria.

"The Ahorner family recently acquired a stable in Lower Austria, where Thomas and I are overseeing both the management and training operations," Ryan told Eurodressage. "Our long-term objective is to continue acquiring young horses and developing them up to Grand Prix level. We're also actively supporting Nicola in the advancement of her riding career."

Ahorner bought "Reitstall St Martin" in Klosterneuburg near Vienna, a barn also known as Bichlhof.

Nicola recently debuted the 13-year old Hanoverian Facilone (by Furstenball x De Niro) in competition after the horse had been in training with Helen Langehanenberg. Ahorner also has Grand Prix horses Marshall Bell and Henderson to ride alongside a string of younger horses. Her rising Grand Prix horse St. Felice FRH is still in training with Daniel Bachmann in Denmark.

Torkkeli brought his own 5-year old by Maracana x Wolkentanz to Austria.

"I’ve had since he was a foal," said Ryan. "We also have several young horses still out in the field, enjoying their time before they join us at the stable."