On Wednesday 14th August GV Top of the Line, or Carlo, as he was known to his friends, didn’t wake up after his afternoon nap. Our sympathies go to all the connections of GV Top of the Line and thanks to Sharon Ridgeway for putting this tribute together.
Sharon and Carlo - a happy partnership
Photo by Derek O'Leary
Sharon Ridgeway
It is with such sadness that last week we said goodbye to Carlo. He was 21 years of age, still in work, completely fit and well, but decided to peacefully slip away during his regular afternoon nap. There were no signs of any struggled and all who loved him take great comfort in the fact he died peacefully.
His story was a remarkable one. Few horses have achieved the success he had, or had the good fortune to continue doing what he loved for such a long time.
His story began in New Zealand, where he was born to both Australian parents but on NZ soil. Destined for the track, he was luckily too slow.
In a strange twist that’s where I first met him. I went to look at another horse where he lived and on seeing Carlo tied up in the breezeway, I enquired, Wow I love the look of that one? I was told he was a little wild and a work in progress, and could I come back in a week! That was enough to deter me and what a blessing that was, as the next person to enquire a few months later was Olivia Bunn and that was the start of a beautiful relationship, which Olivia will tell you about.
Quite magically almost 10 years to the day I first saw Carlo, he came into my life again. Olivia had asked me to sell him, as he was no longer required by the Australian Team, but she felt he had plenty of years left in him, and how right she was!
Having always had enormous admiration for Carlo, I took a huge leap of faith that he would be a fun horse for me to play with at 1* level and C grade Show Jumping. Having recently had a baby I did doubt he would tolerate a galloping amateur but Olivia kindly let me trial him for a month, and after my very first ride I was in love!
I had three magical years competing him, and enjoyed every minute of it. He guided me on auto-pilot around Melbourne Three Day event double clear, and was super competitive Show Jumping.
At almost 18 I felt he had done enough at that level and I was thrilled to be able to pass him on to my very dear friend Nina Griffiths, who I had known since she was born. She was only 10 and it was quite a risk to think a tiny dot like her could manage this 16.2hh powerhouse of a TB, but as was Carlo’s way, he was gentle and careful with his new precious cargo.
I continued as an owner to get as much pleasure watching them grow in confidence together, as I did riding him myself.
Mary King rides Carlo at Equitana
Along the way Carlo starred at Equitana with William Fox-Pitt and Mary King both borrowing him as their demo horse. Carlo liked nothing more than to swan around showing off with 4000 people cheering as he did his thing, still with grace and such talent. William asked me to find him a horse ‘Just like Carlo - although a little younger!’
In recent years I have watched with interest as his half brother Clifton Promise, has risen to the top with a great WEG and Olympic performance and a win at Badminton this year for Jock Paget. They had so many similar qualities and it is quite amazing to believe the only two colt foals out of Darn Style have been such phenomenal event horses.
Carlo’s long time groom Daniel Power said something that rung true, ‘Carlo has always been everyone’s number one,’ and how right that was. He was Olivia’s, he was certainly mine, he was Daniels as they travelled the world together and he ended up being Nina’s dream horse.
He was a lucky boy, but we were by the far the luckiest, having him in our lives.
RIP dear Carlo.
Olivia and Carlo competing at Melbourne 3DE
Photo by Toni-anne Collins
Olivia Bunn
Our journey started in New Zealand, at the time I wanted to buy another horse but at the last minute decided to take you. I did not know how lucky I was. That was way back in 1996 when you were four years old.
From there we had a few teething issues and you did have a bit of youthful exuberance, wanting to bolt around the cross country course at a pre novice level. Which, in hindsight, seem crazy as you were never really known for your speed despite your grandfather being Vain, one of Australia’s most famous sprinters.
I have never known any other horse to try harder than you did. You were so easy to train as you gave your all every time. You were so sensitive and careful. You would always try to jump the entire brush fence as you didn’t like brushing through them. It was a great responsibility and privilege to ride you. There is nothing more touching than fronting up to a big championship and come rain, hail or shine knowing that no matter what I asked of you, you would give it your best.
With your talent and attitude we travelled all around Australia and the world competing in New Zealand - Auckland and Taupo, Kentucky, Badminton, WEG Spain, the Olympics in Athens, the world cup final in Sweden and Boekelo in Holland. You were more widely travelled than most people. On your travels you learnt to eat bananas, prance like a dressage horse, be pampered and treated like the king you were.
Roy and HG Nelson used your dressage test making jokes that ‘The Bunn’ trained you with batteries and bananas!
You loved a cuddle, a scratch or even to be clipped. You loved being in the action and going to competitions.
Since our travels together you have touched so many more people and your passing has caused floods of tears all over the country, you were a true Australian champion.
Thank-you for everything and rest in peace my friend.
Nina and Carlo became the best of friends
Nina Griffiths
Carlo was an amazing horse who tried to do his best at everything. He was always happy to come in and loved to be around people. He was strong but a real gentle giant and he always gave me a reason to be excited to come home because he made me feel so free and happy all the time.
I learnt a lot of things from Carlo and did some exciting things. We did one time changes (five one time changes!) and rode in a couple of medium tests. We won a pre novice in 2011 and had several top placings at the Nationals in 2011 and 2012. We won the the State qualifier 120cm and it went up to 130cm. We finished second overall and Carlo humped like a champ because he was a champ.
Carol was happiest when he could live in the lanes and chat to all his besties (horse pals). He would dig big holes and lie down in the afternoon sun and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him and learn so much from him and about him.
