It was a weekend of fun and fame for 32-year old Spanish rider Borja Carrascosa Martinez at the 2014 CDI-W Neumunster in Germany on 13 - 16 February 2014. Currently training at the well known Hof Kasselmann stable in Hagen, Carrascosa won the national Grand Prix and claimed the runner-up spot in the national Grand Prix Special on his new ride, Weekend Fun.
Carrascosa took two horses to Neumunster. With his more experienced 17-year old Oldenburg Famous Boy (by Feiner Stern x Landadel) he participated in the World Cup qualification classes and scored 67.520% in the Grand Prix and 71.950% in the Kur to Music. However, with the 13-year old Oldenburg Weekend Fun (by Welt Hit II x Rubinstein) he won the national Grand Prix (71.320%) and placed second in the Special ( 73.627%).
“It has been a great experience to compete at the CDN and CDI-W in Neumünster this year," Carrascosa told Eurodressage. "It went surprisingly well with both horses and I'm particularly happy about my results with Weekend Fun lately. It felt fantastic to ride him in Neumünster together with very talented riders! It was his first big show and he managed really well. And there is still a lot to discover in him!”
Weekend Fun is owned by Ullrich Kasselmann, the owner of the stable where Borja trains in Hagen, Germany. Borja has been riding the horse since the end of last year.
“I've been working at the stable for the past 3 years now and I know Weekend Fun is a great horse," he said. "Not only impressive in his size, movements and gaits, but also in his behaviour. He might be a bit timid at some occasions, but during a test he's very concentrated and trusts his rider up to the point that he forgets about everything around him and only focuses on his rider and the test."
Able to prove this in Neumünster under a fully packed stadium, Borja felt that Weekend Fun just concentrated on him and their test together, and he acknowledges that the horse felt very comfortable and relaxed!
“Although he also felt very good at our first shows in Ankum, I didn't expect him to be so easygoing in such a situation," Borja stated. "His main strength is his personality. From the moment we start working in our daily training, he's 100% concentrated and always tries to give the best he can. I'm still getting to know him, we both need to gain experience together in the show ring. I can only say that I'm really happy with him so far.”
His other horse, Famous Boy is the more experienced ride.
"They are two very different horses, not only in terms of size and appearance, but also their personality is very different," he said. "Famous Boy is very bright and interested in everything that happens around him. Weekend Fun still doesn't have Famous Boy's experience, but he's learning very fast and with great talent and possibilities. Two very different horses, but both of them great horses that I love to ride.”
Trained by Ulli and Bianca Kasselmann, Borja also has lessons with Jan Bemelmanns every couple of weeks. The Belgian born, German based French team trainer comes by the yard on a regular basis and helps him with the show horses, particularly in the lead up to a big show.
"I'm training at Hof Kasselmann because I think that it is a place where I can learn a lot, not only at shows but also other presentations, auctions, etc," said Borja. "Great knowledge is present, and incredible horses are trained here everyday and Ulli and Bianca know so much about this sport. It feels great to work in a big team that is both very experienced and professional. I get to ride many different horses and attend many shows for horses and riders of all ages and levels.”
Borja rides many horses of different ages and levels, from young and talented sport stars which could compete at the Bundeschampionat or World Championships for young horses, to more experienced Grand Prix horses for international shows. His plan this year is to attend some big events with Weekend Fun and keep on making the most out of his move to Germany.
“It was not really easy to leave Spain, because I leave everything there," he admitted. "My family, friends, my stable with students and clients, my stud farm. I left everything for a new life and for a new dream. I know that everything will be there always, but decisions like this are not always that easy."
Working diligently at improving himself as a rider and transforming his horses into athletes, Borja is modest about his future.
"I hope to keep doing what I´m passionate about: riding horses and attending shows, while improving and becoming a better rider day after day," he concluded.
Text by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © LL-foto - Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Borja Carrascosa
Scores 2014 CDI-W Neumunster
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Scores: 2007 Spanish Dressage Championships