Text © World of Showjumping

Emma Emanuelsson’s 10-year-old mare Canbella Blue PS (Cantolar x Chacco-Blue) has been sold and will in the future be seen with Ireland’s Cian O’Connor.

With Emanuelsson in the saddle, Canbella Blue PS has had a great 2024-season. In April, the pair won the CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix in Arezzo, followed by a fourth-place finish in the CSI3* 1.55m Grand Prix in Redefin and a second place in the CSI4* 1.60m Grand Prix in Hohenkirchen in May. This summer, the two helped Sweden take the win in the CSIO5* Nations Cup in Falsterbo and also finished 7th in the CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on home soil in Stockholm. 

A week ago, Emanuelsson and Canbella Blue PS took the third place in the CSI5*-W 1.55m Grand Prix in Oslo and yesterday the Swedish rider announced the sale of the mare in social media, writing:

“Bella. You will always be my nr. 1. 

I didn’t think our journey would end just yet, but sometimes things don’t turn out like you wish for and that’s hard.

I’m so grateful for all the success and joy I got to experience with this fantastic horse! Thanks @gullbrittmelin & @ulfmelin for all the support and thanks to all of those who have been part of our journey and cheered for us it means everything!

Bella you leave a big void and will be missed beyond any comparison. 

I will always be your biggest fan and follow you in the show rings.”

To World of Showjumping, Cian O’Connor confirms that Canbella Blue PS will be joining his team of horses. “I’ve followed Emma’s progress with Canbella Blue over the last few years and she really has produced the mare into something very special,” O’Connor says.

“It was always the plan this year that several of my top horses would either be sold or go back to my students and so I decided to put a syndicate together to create Karlswood Partners,” O’Connor explains. “My idea here was to establish a fund to enable me to have a group of horses for my sporting career which of course could be sold at some point, but that the main focus would be on me competing at the highest level for the next Olympic cycle – working towards LA ‘28 and supporting Team Ireland. I’m very appreciative of the support of those who have partnered with me on this new venture and I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

Separately Cian O’Connor’s Karlswood operation has expanded into a huge business. Currently at the Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, the Karlswood-team has 47 horses under their care – both horses to compete and those of the students part of their training program. “I feel very fortunate to have a fantastic background team who makes it all possible. The days run smoothly because of all of them; from the brilliant grooms, to the riders, coaches and team leaders – everyone has their set roles which allows the horses to get maximum attention and care. The facility here in Vejer is fantastic. The space and great arena surfaces allow us the opportunity to train and develop both our horses and riders and build them towards the bigger competitions,” O’Connor concludes.