Carlsson vom Dach, the Holsteiner gelding who helped the U.S. team earn gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, will be joining the retired Thoroughbreds at the Old Friends facility in Georgetown, Ky.
Will Simpson rode Carlsson (Cassini I—Gelsa, Grundyman) at the Olympic Games under the ownership of El Campeon Farms. But in October 2008, Double H Farm bought Carlsson, and Darragh Kerins and Rodrigo Pessoa began showing him. But Carlsson struggled with ulcers and developed problems in the ring.
In the spring of 2010, Double H Farm was purchasing HH Rebozo—who would go on to be Pessoa’s mount for an individual fourth place at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.)—from Skara Glen Stables. Carlsson became part of that deal, going from Double H to Skara Glen, where grand prix rider Candice King trains.
King showed Carlsson in the summer of 2010 in some smaller jumper classes up to 1.20 meters, riding him bridleless to alleviate some confidence issues the horse had. But by the end of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.), Carlsson, 15, was ready to retire.
“He told me he was happy but that he wanted to be done. It was cold one morning in Florida, and it felt like he was working too hard to do his job,” King said. “I felt like he had done so much for our sport, and he needed to go out as a hero and be happy.”
King thought Carlsson deserved to remain in the spotlight a bit, if possible. She contacted the Kentucky Horse Park about the possibility of Carlsson retiring there, but that wasn’t an option. “I didn’t contact El Campeon, and Double H was willing to help with retiring him, but I just felt like it would be nice for him to go to a place where the public comes through, because he enjoys people so much,” she said.
“He still loved going to the horse shows. His body didn’t want to jump, but he loved the activity. Going to Old Friends, where the tourists come through, was a great option. He could get the attention he enjoys and deserves. And it doesn’t get better than Kentucky for horses. It’s a phenomenal place for him to live the rest of his life.”
King’s father, Al Schlom, contacted Old Friends president Michael Blowen and pitched the idea of the first warmblood joining the facility. “The more he told me about the horse, the more intrigued I became about the horse and his story,” said Blowen.
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Old Friends retires Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and welcomes pensioned stallions. They aim to educate the public about retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need and host daily tours of the facilities.
“We’re a tourism operation, and I thought he’d be a great addition,” said Blowen. “There are so many more people coming to the Kentucky Horse Park for equestrian events in addition to those who come out of an interest in the racing industry. I thought he would appeal to them, and then they could see what we’re trying to do at Old Friends. What we’re trying to prove is that all these horses have value once their professional careers are over. I think it will help us draw new interest from a new group of horse people.”
As of late July, there was no room at the Old Friends facility for Carlsson, so he’s turned out at Summer Wind Farm across the street.
“They were very excited about the prospect of hosting an Olympic champion. We feed him twice a day, put fly spray on him and play with him. He’s a very playful horse and an amazingly intelligent animal,” Blowen said. “I feel like it’s a privilege because I know who he is and what’s he’s done, and I’m completely starstruck.”
Blowen added that they’re getting together video from NBC from the Olympic coverage and plan to have a display when he moves to Old Friends. “Right now, he’s seen by a very small group of visitors, because I don’t want to interfere with what’s going on at Summer Wind,” said Blowen. “But if someone comes to Old Friends and specifically asks to see him, I’ll take them across the street to see him. We really want to promote him and let people know he’s here.”
Blowen said that Old Friends hasn’t received any financial donations from any of Carlsson’s former owners. “We always welcome donations. But that’s never a condition of us taking a horse,” he said.
For more information about Old Friends, visit www.oldfriendsequine.org.
