Anush Agarwalla on his retired horse Sir Caramello Old: ‘When he hears sound of my car, he still knows he will be fed his favourite apples and carrots'

Indian Express

a day ago

It is the start of a new friendship for Sir Caramello Old, at age 18. The Olympian horse retired by Anush Agarwalla, after his Dressage swansong at the Paris Olympics, gets along mighty well with another gelding, 19, Flovinos Feinr Kerl, who also rode last competitively in 2024 and was retired by the Indian equestrian.
Now that he's relieved of the regimented lifestyle, and not having to walk and jump and trot and look a certain way, Sir Caramello has found liberation, thanks to Anush. And new friends too.
'Sir Caramello Old has made new friends. Earlier, he was on the field only in the morning; now he is out the whole day since his retirement. He goes out from 11 am to 5 pm with Flovionos Feinr Kerl, who was my second reserve horse,' Anush informs, even as he has moved on to competing with new-old stallion Etro, 11.
'It was not a surprise to retire him. He's 18, that was always the plan to retire him after the Olympics. He did his job. My duty is to return him to where he's happy with his friends. I didn't want to push. He's still fit and healthy, and it's not like I'll never see him again. He's one minute away from where I live in Germany,' Anush explained.
The Indian rider drops in every second day, still for 20 odd minutes to check on him, though evenings can be chilly to go out rather than the stables.
Anush misses the bond they shared. 'For 5-6 years, he knew the routine. Whenever he heard the sound of my car, he could recognise it was my footsteps. He would neigh, and knew I'd be carrying small treats like apples, carrots, and bananas. Just small memories,' Anush recalls.
On their finest moment under the Parisian sun, Anush says that remains the highlight in his career, but the lead-up was exceptionally satisfying. 'What defined our bond was the qualification which was secured almost on the last possible day, on 29 December 2023. We went to the biggest shows, and whenever we competed, he was calm and composed. I miss that bond. It was special,' an emotional Anush says.
Anush has moved on to younger horses, like Etro who's been with him awhile, as he prepares for the next Asian Games cycle where he first won a team gold and individual bronze medal on a preening, happily pouting Sir Caramello. 'This year we have moved up to Grand Prix level and want to build momentum.'
The Indian ace, however, has more choices to pick from – with Straight Horse Floriana and Flynn added to his stables. 'I have 3 top horses ahead of the World Championship. It depends,' he says, not revealing who his choice might be.
Caramello, however, will get his apples and carrots, irrespective, Anush has ensured.