One of the first Advanced horse trials that I ever saw with was at Pine Top in the spring of 2006. I remember distinctly sitting at the first water complex, and having a moment to watch a few riders. I saw some rides that were OK, and mostly I didn’t know what I was looking at, but the moment I saw Cavaldi, I knew what it was to have a horse that loved cross country. He charged around that course looking like a man on fire, loving every moment of it, and purely in control of his abilities, as they were supremely above the Advanced level.
Cavaldi has been a staple at the Advanced level for ten years now, partnering with Kristin Schmolze, and forever changing her path in the equestrian world. “Joey,” as he is known around the barn, has been a once in a lifetime horse for Kristin, and it is with a heavy heart that she announces his retirement from competition, but with happiness that she announces he is retiring in full health and vigor at the age of 18.
“Joey has done more for my riding and career then I can ever put into words in a blog. Beyond that, he has been a best friend for more then a decade. Joey is currently sound and healthy and my goal was to have him finish his amazing career just that way.”
“Though Joey and I may not have racked up a showcase of blue ribbons, I think the overall accomplishments say enough about this unbelievable horse:
-16 International event completions at the advanced level (FEI CICs and CCIs)
-10 were CCI’s
-6 CCI ***
-4 CCI ****
-4 top ten finishes in CCI’s
-7 top twenty finishes in CCI’s
Finished Rolex 3 times in 12th, 20th, and 31st
Finished Burghley in 30th”
Joey will happily retire with Kristin (although not to a life of dressage like some!) and will continue to mentor his young protogé Ballylaffin Bracken as he attempts to fill some very big shoes. Please enjoy this video of Joey and Rox having a bit of fun in a jump school earlier this year, and cheers to all the amazing horses that form our careers!
