He’s the quintessential underdog: the overachiever, fighter and all-around do-gooder. HH Carlos Z was not bought to jump 1.60m grand prixs, but when the 14-year-old old Zangersheide gelding (Chellano Z—Sara van het Parelshof, Voltaire) has been called upon, he has always delivered.

He stepped up with rider McLain Ward to win the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.) and the $100,000 Ulcerguard Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties (N.Y.) in 2015. He also triumphed in the $125,000 President’s Cup at the Washington International in 2014. And in his element, he racked up four individual wins at Spruce Meadows last year.

This winter, he’s kicked off the season with wins in the $50,000 qualifier grand prix and the $35,000 welcomes stakes at the CP Masters in Wellington. He’s as game and as versatile as they come. He may be a part of a stable that includes superstars Rothchild and HH Azur, but HH Carlos Z has his own role and his own special shine.

Ward’s team of Chris Cook, Sean Kissane, Oliver McCarthy, Kirsty and Kelly Massari took the Chronicle behind the stall door with the gutsy gelding at Ward’s winter base in Wellington (Fla.). Here’s what you need to know about Carlos:

• He’s the equine version of the energizer bunny. “He’s a complete bundle of energy, 100 percent,” Kissane said. “He likes to go, especially when he’s in the ring.”

  “He runs on adrenaline,” McCarthy added. “That’s what gives him that extra bit of edge. That’s what makes him what he is.”

Carlos, with Sean Kissane, only slows down for treats.

• He loves a good power walk.

  Carlos is taken for a hand walk each afternoon, and it’s one of the gelding’s very favorite things. He marches around the field with purpose. When he was taken out for photographs, he refused to stand still as he tried to brisk off on another walk. He could only be distracted by peppermints.

  “He thinks it’s time for his hand walk!” Kissane exclaimed.

Carlos struts out for a power walk with Sean Kissane.

• His pet name is “Little Pepe.” “It’s a nickname McLain has for him,” Kissane said. “It just fits his character, his build, everything like that.”

  Ward was within earshot when Kissane made the comment, causing him to exclaim, “I heard that!” The exchage resulted in a fun round of laughter from the staff present.

• He’s a diligent student. “He’s as easy as pie and down to earth,” Kissane said. “He’s very easy to handle in the stall and everything. He gets a little worked up at the ring, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.”

Carlos and groom Sean Kissane.

• He keeps good company.

  Good luck to you if you can come up with a row of more talented show jumpers. Carlos, HH Azur and Rothchild are all stabled next to each other. The three get along well, especially Carlos and Azur, who are quite close. (We did Behind The Stall Door with Rothchild and HH Azur, too!)

Carlos’ best equine friend is star stablemate HH Azur.

• If you want to get in his good graces, get him an “Uncle Jimmy’s Hanging Ball” treat.

  “He goes mad for them,” Kirsty said. “He goes crazy for it. He rubs all over it, and it gets in his mane and everything. He gets them at the show a lot. It’s just a nice little treat for him to have. But he goes through them quickly! Sometimes I might have to go out and get a second one for him.”

• He’s a work horse. “He loves his job very much,” Kelly said. “He had a couple months off [this winter], and he was definitely ready to come back to work and ready to get going.”
• He’s all heart. “He gives it 100 percent every time,” Kissane said. “He’s just a trier, a fighter. He gives his all.”

  “He unbelievable,” he continued. “You can put him in any [class], and he just proves time and time again that he’s a great horse. When he’s at the show, he knows it, and he wears his game face, like, ‘I’ve got to get this done.’ You can put him in a big class, and he’ll just fight for you all the way. He’s always ready to step up and give all he’s got for you.”

HH Carlos Z

Carlos the “fighter”

Carlos