This week, I am excited to be chatting with a young Spanish rider who looks destined to have a very big future in European dressage. Manuel Paredes is a 25-year-old rider born in Seville. His whole life to date has been devoted to horses and his passion for horses, dressage and trying to achieve the very highest levels of performance have seen him move to the Netherlands to work at the van Silfhout stables for Alex vanSilfhout one of the very top names in Dutch Grand Prix dressage and a huge figure in international dressage. Read on to discover more about Manuel who is a very exciting young talent and definitely someone worth following.
Tell us a little about you
my dream is having my own stable in Spain and compete in high levels
I am Manuel Paredes, 25year old dressage rider, from Seville (Spain). Although I actually I live in The Netherlands, where I work, in Star van Silfhout.
How did your horses come into your life?
Because of my father, he always had horses.
How long have you been riding?
I am riding horses since I was baby because at home, we always have horses and I rode with my dad and my aunt. But I started to ride more seriously when I was eleven, I started to ride better horses, youngsters, and more level amateurs.
When and where do you ride?
Manuel loves the feeling of having a good mental connection with a horse
At the moment I am riding at van Silfhout stables, there we ride from Monday to Friday.
How did you start riding?
I started to ride just for fun with my family.
What you and your horses currently working on?
Normally we work on training the physical condition of the horses and teach the exercises.
What do you love about riding?
Everything, but especially when you have a good mental connection with your horse
What you would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?
Manual’s top tip? “Have a dream, work hard on it, and never lose the illusion”
In the future, my dream is having my own stable in Spain and compete in high levels. But my real goal is to be a good rider.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
Of course, when you have to do some tests, shows, ride a new horse, start with the youngsters, always a little bit nervous, but always motivated.
How do you deal with them?
Thinking that everything will be great!!
Your Top Tip
Have a dream, work hard on it, and never lose the illusion.
The Final Furlong
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
Totilas
Who is your equestrian hero?
Edward Gal
If you could have five people to dinner, who would they be?
Andreas Helgstrand, Edward Gal, Carl Hester, Isabell Werth, and Alex van Silfhout. I think it should be a really interesting dinner.
Favourite colour horse?
My favourite horse colour is bay.
Favourite horse event
The KWPN stallion show in Den Bosch
Favourite food
Spanish traditional food.
Favourite way to relax
Fly to Spain and stay at home with family.
Favourite film
Pirates of the Caribbean
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Manuel you might like to view more chatting with interviews here You can keep up with Manuel’s progress and check out his instagram page here
