Hugely talented Spanish international Grand Prix dressage rider Juan de Dios Ramirez was born to ride. Based at his own competition yard in Cordoba, Juan has been producing and competing top international level horses with incredible success for years. Juan has represented his country many times and will no doubt continue to do so for many years. He is currently also working alongside his coach on a new project. We can’t wait to hear more news about what is coming next.
Tell us about you and your horses
Meet the very talented Spanish international Grand prix dressage rider Juan de Dios Ramirez
My name is Juan de Dios Ramirez, I am an international rider from Spain based in the city of Cordoba, where I have my own stable with horses of various breeds such as PRE, HANNOVERIANS, LUSITANOS. My stable is focused on the national and international competition with which we try to get the most out of our horses for competitions.
How did horses come into your life?
You could say that I was born amongst horses. My family has been raising PRE horses since 1987 and I have spent my entire life focused on horses and riding horses since I was very little. My first competition was in 2002, which can be said to have been a before and after moment in my life. As a result of that competition, I stopped thinking about being an amateur rider and instead wanting to prepare to become a professional rider.
Who do you train with?
Right now, I don’t have a regular trainer, for competitions I train with Juan Matute who is a great trainer and understands horses perfectly and knows me very well. Although I am preparing a new project with a coach that I cannot tell yet!
What are you and your horses currently working on?
Well, in general, I am a very perfectionist person in my profession, and I try to focus training both on the basics of my horses and on improving every day. I work every day to improve my horses as much as possible and try to get them to the highest level.
What do you love about riding?
The connection that we can have between rider and horse. It seems to me that you must have a gift to ride a horse at a professional level and I think that is very, very important. Have connection.
What would you like to be doing in the future, and do you have any goals?
Well, like any rider, my goal is to improve day by day whatever I do. My goal, as I told you, is to improve as a rider and whatever must come, will come.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
I think it’s super important. My stable team, like Alejandro and most importantly my family.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
I am a fairly calm person in competitions. It is true that I have sometimes gotten a little nervous waiting for the competition, although when I put my foot in the stirrup I concentrate, and the nerves disappear.
Do you have any rituals before competing?
Yes, I remove the knot from the tie if the day’s competition did not go well
Your Top Tip
Paciencia y calma
(Patience and calm)
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Do not make it complex in the competition and go out for everything
Down the Centre Line
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
Glamourdale
Who is your equestrian hero?
Take the best from each one. There are many very good riders.
If you could have five people to dinner, who would they be?
The friends that competing has given me, although there are more than five.
Favourite colour horse?
Black
Favourite horse event?
Aachen
Favourite food?
Pasta
Favourite way to relax?
EL DESCANSO (The rest)
Favourite film?
Titanic
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Juan you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here . You can keep up with Juan’s progress and view his instagram page here
You could say that I was born amongst horses. My family has been raising PRE horses since 1987 and I have spent my entire life focused on horses and riding horses since I was very little. My first competition was in 2002, which can be said to have been a before and after moment in my life. As a result of that competition, I stopped thinking about being an amateur rider and instead wanting to prepare to become a professional rider.
Right now, I don’t have a regular trainer, for competitions I train with Juan Matute who is a great trainer and understands horses perfectly and knows me very well. Although I am preparing a new project with a coach that I cannot tell yet!
Well, like any rider, my goal is to improve day by day whatever I do. My goal, as I told you, is to improve as a rider and whatever must come, will come.
I am a fairly calm person in competitions. It is true that I have sometimes gotten a little nervous waiting for the competition, although when I put my foot in the stirrup I concentrate, and the nerves disappear.
