For many years, VDL Cartello was in the shadow of his world-famous brother Cardento, but in recent years VDL Cartello himself has become one of the very best showjumpers in the world. 

Sire Cartani himself jumped at international Grand Prix level and proved to be a success in breeding; not surprisingly since sire Carthago jumped at the Olympics twice and dam Taggi won individual bronze and team gold at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague in 1994. Cartello’s dam B-Estelle is a daughter of the legendary Lord and produced, in addition to the Olympic VDL Cartello, also the world famous Cardento. Ridden by Peter Eriksson, this foundation sire of VDL Stud won team silver at the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and European Championships and with offspring like Grand Slam VDL, Kilkenny, Catch Me Not S and C-Vier he belongs to the best breeding stallions of the moment.

 

Palmares

After fantastic performances with James Billington, Cormac Hanley and Lorcan Gallagher the Irish top rider Darragh Kenny took over the reins.  In 2021, VDL Cartello had his final breakthrough at the highest level and represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The impressive grey stallion jumped spectacularly and qualified for the individual final. Later on, VDL Cartello was one of the few horses to jump double clear in the FEI Nations Cup Final of Barcelona and finished 6th in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Samorin. In the prestigious Super Grand Prix of the GCT Play Offs in Prague, Kenny and VDL Cartello finished in a spectacular 4th place. In the legendary Palexpo Arena in Geneva, VDL Cartello once again showed great form and finished 4th in the Rolex Grand Slam Grand Prix.

Results:
1st in the Kwalification of the Olympics Games 1.65m
1st GP Wierden 1.45m
1st Valkenswaard 1.45m
2nd  Nations Cup Vancouver  1.60m
2nd Madrid 1.60m
2nd Nations Cup finale Barcelona
2nd Praag GCL Play Off 1.60m
3rd GP Upperville 1.60m
3rd GP Madrid 1.60m
3rd GP Sires of the World Lanaken 1.50m
4th GP Genève 1.60m
4th GP Praag GCL Play Off 1.65m
5th GP Wellington 1.60m
6th GP  GCT Samorin 1.60m
6th GP Drammen 1.55m
6th GP Ommen 1.55m
8th GP Valkenswaard 1.60m
8th GP Bridgehampton 1.60m

With his brilliant pedigree and great sports career, VDL Cartello seems to have all the ingredients to be a great asset in breeding. So far, VDL Cartello was rarely available for breeding, but this Olympic stallion now certainly deserves a chance to prove himself.
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VDL Cartello: brother of Cardento with Olympic performances