Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Casall Ask – the world’s most successful pair in 2014 – will not be competing at this year’s European Championships in Aachen. A statement on Stall Bengtsson & Kristoffersen’s website says: “Together with Casall Ask's owners as well as Rolfs sponsors, we have made the decision to not compete Casall Ask at this year's European Championships in Aachen. Casall Ask will also not be available for any Nations Cups.

The reason that Casall Ask has reached 16 years old, and already has competed at three major championships during his career - the Olympics in London, the Europeans in Herning and the World Championships in Normandy. At the European Championships in Herning, Casall Ask helped to bring the team bronze home to Sweden as well as ending fourth individually. At the World Championships in Normandy, Casall Ask also ended fourth individually.

A championship is always a demanding task for any horse, and often it takes up to 2.5 months to recover for the horses afterwards. With Casall Ask's age in mind, we believe that we can keep him healthier and happier longer by not bringing him to yet another championship. Instead we will focus on the overall title in the Longines Global Champions Tour for 2015. The competitions are more gentle for Casall Ask, as he can jump one small class the first day, have one day off and then jump the feature Grand Prix class the last day."

Bengtsson will now aim his two other Grand Prix horses Unita Ask and Clarimo Ask towards the European Championships.

Source: stall-bengtsson-kristoffersen.com