In our series ‘That Special Bond’, we highlight what this sport truly is about; the unique connection between horses and humans. Speaking with some of the top names in the sport, we learn more about the horses that have shaped careers, fulfilled dreams – and sometimes even broken hearts. 

This time around we speak with Hanna Carlsson, who for the last seven years has worked for Danish rider Andreas Schou. 

“The special one is Darc; he is my favourite and I think he is fantastic,” Hanna says. 

Darc de Lux is a 12-year-old stallion by Darco x Contender, bred by Morten Augustinus and owned by Schou Absolute Horses together with Westlife AB. This year, Andreas and Darc de Lux finished 5th at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Omaha and competed at the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milan. They also finished 2nd in the LGCT Grand Prix in Madrid, 4th in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ in Gothenburg and 5th in the LGCT Grand Prix in Cannes. 

“Darc came to the stable the same week as I started to work for Andreas, so I have cared for him for a while now. He is very quiet for being a stallion, even if he can bite a little. He is friendly to everyone, but when you know him, you can see that he is a bit reserved when he meets new people. It takes a while before he lets new people in and opens up to them. When he does, he is very kind, ambitious and wants to please everyone. Darc is that kind of horse that really appreciates everything you do for him, and gives you so much back,” Hanna explains. 

“Darc is just the same at home as at shows, and he is very uncomplicated. The only thing with him is that he can be claustrophobic. When he was younger it could be a bit difficult on the truck, but that is all fine now. We had some issues when we arrived in Omaha, and he was coming straight off the container into the truck – he thought the space was a bit to narrow. This was also only his second flight; he had only flown to Tokyo for the Olympic Games before.”

“At the first trot-up in Omaha, Darc was really excited and acted in a way that he normally doesn’t – that might cause people to think he is a bit wild, but he really isn’t. He is the sweetest horse ever and he means so much to me. He is the first horse I say good morning to and the last horse I speak with before I go home at night,” Hanna smiles.

“We have a horse called I Know – a gelding that we have had for a bit more than a year – and he is very special.” 

I Know is a 10-year-old gelding by Arezzo VDL x Hors La Loi II, bred by H.J.M. Dekkers and owned by Schou Absolute Horses together with Baekgaarden Youngster A/S and Joergen Schou Holding A/S. I Know has competed up to 1.60m level and was recently placed 3rd in the LGCT Grand Prix of Rome.

“He is a fantastic horse, but it has taken time to get to know him and understand how he is,” Hanna says. “Everything needs to be on his terms, and he needs clear routines to feel safe. He has a lot of nerves, and you will clearly notice if anything new happens that he is not comfortable with. With a bit of time, I think he will be really good but everything as to how to handle him, travel with him and so on needs to fall into place to give him the possibility to be as good as he can.”

“I do like him a lot and every day we get to know each other better. And the more I get to know him, the more he gives back to me. With I Know, I learn something new every day.”

“I miss Quadrosson Ask, that Andreas sold towards the end of 2021. He was the kindest horse ever, even though also he took some time to get to know. I learned so much being with him and to understand and adapt to what he wanted – to find out what would make him feel at his best,” Hanna says. 

Quadrosson Ask is a 12-year-old gelding by Quadros 3 x Carentan, bred by W. Schumacher and now owned by Belam s.r.o. Andreas and Quadrosson Ask were successful up to 1.60m level, and the gelding has continued his success with Radovan Sillo. 

“He had a big and very kind personality, and it was hard when he left. Most horses stay with us for quite long, so it is always difficult when they leave and with Quadrosson Ask it was extra hard,” Hanna closes off.

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