Horses in Focus: Casall La Silla

Today is the third in our series featuring some of the star horses on the GCT circuit.

The equine athletes that make Global Champions Tour competitions so special. They are the exceptional show jumping horses that create thrilling, nail biting contests at each Grand Prix during the season. Many of these champion horses are famous around the world with fan clubs in different nations. So here is a fresh and often humorous insight from the horse’s mouth. This time with a little help from his rider Rolf-Göran Bengtsson of course!

Champion Swedish rider Rolf and Casall were part of the amazing nail-biting GCT 2012 finale. The Holsteiner stallion jumped brilliant Grand Prix rounds through the season and was placed 2nd in the GCT events in Hamburg, Cannes and Lausanne. The combination also came 3rd in Valkenswaard and scored strong points at other GCT shows. Rolf describes the stunning 14-year-old dark bay by Caretino as an amazing performer and “a nice guy”.

– What was the favourite GCT venue of 2012 and why?

For me it was Hamburg, because it is always nice to be in front of the home crowd: a lot of Holsteiner breeders and friends were there 🙂

– Do you like jumping in the day or evening best, hot or cold climate?

Actually it doesn’t really matter to me – and at the shows, where it is really hot, we are mostly working in the morning or in the evening, where it is quite comfortable. And in the stable we then have air conditioning 😉

– Do you train a lot and how do you prepare for competition?

In daily work I am mostly being taken care of three times a day: once I am ridden, then I go to the walker or the tread mill, and when the weather is good I am in the paddock or I take a walk with Celia (my groom)
For the shows Rolf always has a scheduled plan for some weeks in advance, so before the shows we do some jumps at home.

– What’s your favourite food?

Müsli with carrots ! I simply love that 🙂

– Where’s your favourite place to
exercise and run?

I rather like to work outside in the fresh air.

– What are your ambitions for 2013 with your rider Rolf-Goran Bengtsson?

Mainly we will be going to the shows of the GCT – and for sure I will try to help him win the European gold medal again!

– What are your likes and dislikes?

I very much like going to the paddock – but I do not like sugar ! And I do not really like bad weather with rain, deep ground etc. either……

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