Carlo 273, a lifetime at the highest level

All those who know him agree: Carlo 273 is a special horse and for almost a decade, the favorite of those who have had the luck to meet him or compete with him. Skillful, technical and fast, his power in the track has left a mark. Now, being 17 years old, he retires from competitions leaving as a legacy a brilliant sports career and the profession’s affection.

The dapple-grey Holsteiner has amazed the public with his qualities and his character from a very young age. His wild soul and abilities made Jörg Naeve notice him when Carlo was only four years old: "He was a fantastic jumper. When people saw him, they could not believe what they were seeing. He is like that by nature".

And that also caught the attention of Nick Skelton: "When he was on the track, he fully focused on what he was doing, all he wanted to do was to jump, I think he loved jumping". He has been his rider since Carlo was 7 years old. He began his sports career with him at the highest level of the most demanding international competitions, where he showed all his potential: "There was no circuit he couldn’t jump", says Skelton. Together they won the bronze medal in the European Championship of 2011 in Madrid. "I love Carlo. He was the horse of my life".





«Carlo is obviously a superstar for everyone who appreciates this sport» says his owner Marta Ortega. «But above all he's a special soul for all of us who are lucky enough to be his family».

A year later, Carlo 273 became part of Marta Ortega’s stable. "Carlo is obviously a super star for anyone who appreciates this sport, but above all he's a special soul for all of us who are lucky enough to be his family," says Marta. A stunning horse on the track: "His look and his way of competing have made Carlo a recognized horse”, explains Sergio Álvarez Moya, his inseparable companion since 2012. The pair has competed in two European championships, the last one in Aachen in 2015. A memorable event in which they achieved together the pass for Spain to be in the Olympic Games of Rio 2016, during the trial for teams. In Brazil, Carlo amazed the audience as usual.



Over the more tan five years of realtionship, they accomplished many triumphs. The Grand Prix of the CSI 5* A Coruña 2012 or the Grand Prix of the World Cup of the CSI 5* in Zurich in 2015 are two of the most outstanding victories. But in addition to that, the pair was 4th in the Final of the Jumping World Cup 2013 in Gothenburg. Sergio has no doubt, "he is the best horse I have ever jumped with". According to Marta Ortega, "he has been a source of joy for us, forming an outstanding winning couple with Sergio these years, as he was previously with Nick".

With 17 years of age he finally retires from competitions. For Marta Ortega, "The mixed feelings of not seeing him perform in the track anymore are by far compensated by seeing him enjoy his more than well-deserved unlimited holidays in the green fields of Casas Novas". It will be here, at home, where he will receive a well-deserved tribute to his sports career in a farewell ceremony during this edition of CSI 5*W A Coruña and where he will enjoy his well-deserved rest after a life plagued with successes.