Danish Grand Prix rider Bo Hostrup has lost his number one Grand Prix horse Cajo. The 14-year old bay gelding suffered from type II diabetes as he had Equine Metabolic Syndrom (EMS).
Cajo was a 14-year old Danish bred Holsteiner by Cameron out of a Calato dam. He was bred by Leif Konradi. As a youngster, Cajo became champion of the stallion licensing but he was castrated later on to focus on his sport career.
Under Bo Hostrup Cajo made his international Grand Prix debut in 2010 but in the summer of that year Hostrup announced the horse's retirement from sport because Cajo suffered from laminitis. The condition was treatable and in February 2011 the horse already returned to the show ring.
The duo won team gold twice, one team silver and one team bronze at four Nordic Baltic Championships. Their career highlights include a victory in the Grand Prix at the 2011 CDI Vestfold and a second place in the Grand Prix Special at the 2012 CDI Treffen. The pair competed at its last international show in Falsterbo, Sweden in July 2014.
For four years Cajo suffered from Equine Metabolic Syndrom (EMS) and was treated by veterinarian Helge Jacobsen at the equine clinic of Charlottenlund in Denmark with human medicine for diabetis. The horse's condition worsened the past few months. Early this morning Hostrup had to decide to put down Cajo.
"My heart is broken," said Hostrup. "I want to thank him for making me the rider I am today and for the most amazing wonderful trip he gave me in the equestrian world. In those four years he had EMS. He was a brave fighter."
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Cajo
What's Happening: March 2014 - Part 1
Scores: 2014 Danish Dressage Championships
What's Happening: September 2010 - Part 3