New Grand Prix Hopeful for Callie O'Connell

Dressage

U.S.A.

American young Grand Prix rider Callie O'Connell has secured the ride on a new Grand Prix hopeful from Europe. She will continue the sport career of the 8-year old Franky di Fonteabeti.

Franky is an Italian bred Hanoverian stallion by Franklin out of F-Bionika di Fonteabeti (by Wynton x Gribaldi). He is bred by Riccardo Volpi and Luisa di Antonelli at his brood farm Fonte Abeti in Sansepolcro, Italy.

Nausicaa Maroni

In 2020 Nausicaa Maroni acquired the 4-year old Franky from his breeder and put the ownership in her son's name, Filippo di Marco. The horse moved to her farm, Il Cavallino riding center in Rosate, Italy.

She premiered him internationally in the 5-year old young horse classes at the CDI Ornago. In 2022 and 2023 the bay gelding because Italian Champion in the 6 and 7-year old division under Maroni. She also showed him at CDI's in Camarma de Esteruelas, Troisdorf and St. Margarethen.

Borja Carrascosa

In June 2024 the horse was sent into training with German based Spaniard Borja Carrascosa.

He competed franky in the Nurnberger Burgpokal qualifier in Gorlitz in August, where they scored 71,4% in the warm-up round and 71,7% for a 5th place in the actual qualifier. A month later at the qualifier in Donaueschingen they were second with 72,3%

Sold to the U.S.A.

Franky has now been sold to the U.S.A. and will continue his journey with Callie O'Connell, who trains with Christoph Koschel.

"It is a great honor that a horse trained by us has been chosen by such a prestigious stable," said Nausicaa. "While we will deeply miss him, we are proud of the journey we’ve had together and can’t wait to see him shine on the international fields."

O' Connell is best known for riding Eaton to silver at the 2022 U.S. Under 25 Championships and to bronze at the 2024 U.S. Grand Prix Championships. She is thrilled with her new ride.

"I am still processing that it all came together the way it did. When I first sat on him, it instantly felt like home. I could go on forever but truly I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you Betsy Dangel for making it all happen," said Callie. "Here is to chasing dreams and seeing what the future holds. I am so excited to be on this journey with you and to continue to develop this special horse."