Of course, it's not just another competition for me, it's my home competition, of which I have many memories since I was a child. It is true that, as you say, now there are many competitions but Madrid is special and I always try to arrive with the horses in the best shape to try to be as high as possible.
- What does Madrid bring to the Longines Global Champions Tour and what does the Longines Global Champions Tour bring to Madrid?
Madrid has always been a world-class competition before the Longines Global Champions Tour arrived. The track, the grandstands, the public make the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid a special and different place, very horse-oriented, with first class facilities. And, on the other hand, the LGCT brings to Madrid the most outstanding riders in the world. Since I started jumping in that arena when I was a child, the format has changed and in that sense I think the competition has improved, now the best want to come here. In addition, this year it is one of the competitions with the best prize money on the circuit, which makes it even more attractive.
- What makes the show of Madrid different from other venues on the circuit?- It is a traditional, classic competition that everyone knows. It is one of those emblematic places like Aachen, Dublin or La Baule and the LGCT has given it that special point of bringing the best riders in the world, which is not easy with the tight international calendar we have now.
- Is Madrid’s arena complicated for riders?
It depends on the horse you have. With a normal horse it can be very complicated, but if you have a good one it is a track to enjoy because they tend to jump better than usual, the ground is fantastic, the obstacle material has improved a lot in recent years, the jumps are very nice and delicate, not as massive as before, and we also have one of the best course designers in the world, which helps even more.
- Madrid’s arena is very different from many other venues on the circuit. Is that detail important when it comes to planning and deciding which horses you go to each competition with?- There are horses like Bentley de Sury that are versatile and do the same in big tracks, small tracks, riding arenas, on grass or fiber, but there are also others that jump better in certain conditions. And when it comes to planning you have to take this into account.
- This year you have started off well with a 2nd place in Miami and now you are coming to a venue like Madrid, which is usually good for you. Have you set yourself the goal of winning the LGCT one year or is it very complicated with the large number of commitments you have to face?
- For me the main goal is the team event with Madrid in Motion, right now we are second and we will try to stay on top. Individually, there is still a long way to go and we will see how the results go. Now I have a stable that allows me to combine the LGCT with Nations Cups and other competitions because I have 3 horses that are at that level and a fourth one that in a few months may also be ready for it. In any case, with animals you are always exposed to everything changing and you have to go from weekend to weekend. We have a plan but many times we have to change it.
Source: Press Release