British showjumper Jamie Gornall has welcomed Michael Whitaker's former ride Cassionato (Cassini x Quidam de Revel) to his North Yorkshire yard.
Under Whitaker, the now 14-year-old stallion was part of the British team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the 2015 European Championships in Aachen and helped Britain to victory in the CSI05* Furusiyya FEI Nations Cups at La Baule, Rotterdam and Rome.
In a press release, Gornall comments: “I am extremely excited that Cassionato is here and look forward to building up a strong relationship with him as we aim for the 2019 European Championships and Tokyo 2020."
“He has some illustrious bloodlines, incredible ability and a brilliant temperament. He will fit in extremely well with our other competition horses here at Gornall Equestrian,” Gornall continues.
Cassionato will also be available as a breeding stallion for frozen and fresh, chilled semen when his competition schedule permits.
Cassionato is owned by Gary and Beverley Widdowson, who also own the legendary Big Star, and Jamie's father-in-law, Chris Blundell, who has just bought a 50% share in him. “I am delighted to have invested in a horse of this calibre and thrilled that he will be stabled at Gornall Equestrian,” Blundel says in the press release. “Jamie has some of the finest training facilities in Europe and I am confident that his analytical approach to horsemanship and commitment to the happiness and wellbeing of his horses will see Cassionato thrive. I, along with Gary and Beverley, am really looking forward to seeing this spectacular horse doing great things this year.”
Source: Press release from Profiles PR
Photo © Bob Langrish