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“When I was younger, I just tagged along. Now, I really appreciate and love horses – and the sport is a nice bonus,” Carlos Hank Guerreiro tells World of Showjumping about how his mindset has evolved as the years have gone by and his family’s operation H5 has grown. 

“I like to never get out of my balance, even with good results or bad days,” the 25-year-old Mexican tells. “I try to stay centred and enjoy the process, like developing the younger horses and just riding at home. I prefer not focusing too much on the results.” 

To World of Showjumping, Carlos – currently seventh on the FEI U25 rankings – tells about his journey from Mexico and the United States to Europe, the extremely competitive generation of riders that he is a part of, and how topping the rankings should benefit the young riders as it does for the seniors. 

The 25-year-old Mexican grew up around horses. “My mother was always very passionate about horses, and she was doing the amateur sport in Mexico,” he tells about his background. “Eventually, she got my dad into it as well. He started a little bit older when he was around 32. As a family, we were going to shows in Mexico City and around Mexico quite often, so I was always around horses and naturally had many friends in the sport. Originally, I wasn't drawn to the horses or the sport, but when all my friends were starting to compete I was kind of left on the side-lines – and decided to give it a try.”

I really appreciate and love horses – and the sport is a nice bonus

Today, Carlos – who recently married his long-time girlfriend Zoe Conter, who also competes at top level – is based in Belgium for the majority of the year, competing around Europe. “However, we also have a base in Wellington; for the last few years, we have gone there for the winter and for the Winter Equestrian Festival,” he tells. “We've also done a little bit of competing in Mexico. Now that the season over there is quite good – especially in the fall, we have some very good five-star events – I like to go back and compete there for a few shows every year.” 

For his whole life, Carlos has been training with two coaches; Eduardo Menezes from Brazil and Enrique Gonzalez from Mexico. “They've been training me and my family for 20 years now,” he explains. “Before I started riding, they were already training my parents. They've become like family at this point, and they've also grown in the sport with us. I think we've created a special relationship between all of us and built a proper international stable. Both Eduardo and Enrique have competed at the Olympics, and now I achieved that last year – I think we've done a nice journey all together.”

My trainers know me inside out, whether it is when we're trying horses or when we're walking a course

In a sport with many ups and downs, maintaining good relationships can be challenging, and often the trainer is the first one to be changed when things go south. “There are many people that go through stages like that,” Carlos says. “However, I think there's a lot of positives to take from being in a relationship like me and my family have been in with our trainers. We've grown and learned together in this sport, and their support and consistency is very reassuring. My trainers know me inside out, whether it is when we're trying horses or when we're walking a course – they know my strengths and weaknesses. We have also tried to include different opinions from other riders or trainers, because outside perspective sometimes helps a lot. Overall, I think we have found quite a good balance and we've achieved some nice things together.” 

There's been quite a few horses that have impacted Carlos’ career, but the one he has the fondest memories with is the now 19-year-old H5 Sunshine (Diamant de Semilly x Hardi). “He was the first horse that I jumped with at the highest level. I just recently retired him as an 18-year-old, and I was proud to retire him healthy and happy. I got him when I was 16, and had just started jumping some two-star ranking classes. In one year, he took me to my first three-star Grand Prix, to my first four-star Grand Prix and to my first five-star Grand Prix and Nations Cup. I'd say Sunshine was probably one of the biggest teachers I've had in the sport, if not the biggest, and I owe a lot to him.”

Sunshine was probably one of the biggest teachers I've had in the sport, if not the biggest, and I owe a lot to him

“I also have to give a lot of credit to H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z (Picasso Z x Ogano Sitte), who took me to the Olympics last year,” Carlos continues. “He's the first horse that I really got consistent with jumping clear at five-star Grand Prix level and winning. He was kind of the next step from Sunshine; with Porthos, it has not been just participating and being at the highest level but starting to win and be competitive.” 

Competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z was a dream come true for Carlos, despite the week ending on a low note after a great start. While the Mexican team qualified for the final, they were forced to withdraw after Carlos’ horse sustained an injury. “I think the Olympics are the pinnacle of the sport and for most athletes that's the dream. When you think about where you want to get in your sport, you always think of the Olympics."

When I got the call that I had made the team, it was one of the best moments of my life

"That was always a very big goal of mine and something that really drove my passion and my dedication for the sport. When I got the call that I had made the team, it was one of the best moments of my life. It's always an honour to go to an Olympic Games. When you get to represent your country at the biggest stage, I think it is something really special.”

“The venue in front of the palace of Versailles was breathtaking,” Carlos continues. “Overall, it was an unbelievable experience. We didn't have the best of luck with Porthos sustaining an unlucky injury after the first day, but I'm really happy we got to go and compete. We put on a good performance the first day to help the team qualify for the final.”

From loud support teams to passionate performances, it is obvious there is something special about the Mexican team spirit. “We are very passionate about the sport,” Carlos admits. “We don't have as many riders as some of the bigger countries, so many of us are really close and have grown up together. For example, two of my best friends were on the team that we had in Paris; we've known each other since we were very young, and have competed together as children, juniors and young riders. When you get to grow up in the sport like this, it's a very special feeling to get to the highest level together.”

I'm really proud to see the sport progressing in this way in my country

“The sport in Mexico has grown a lot in the past few years,” Carlos continues. “When I left Mexico 15 years ago, we had very nice venues, but most of them were only hosting national shows and not many international riders would come over. Now, we have the Global Champions Tour in Mexico City and the Major League Show Jumping Final in Monterrey, as well as a few other venues. These shows are really proper five-star venues with the best footing, the nicest grass fields you can have, good prize money and great atmosphere. Obviously, the good weather helps. All these shows and their organisers have put in a lot of effort and it is possible to have a very nice tour in Mexico now. I think it will continue to grow and I'm really proud to see the sport progressing in this way in my country.” 

Despite his young age, Carlos has experienced a lot, having competed extensively in Mexico, Europe and the United States. “There's a huge difference between the continents,” he points out. “I've been lucky enough to experience all three of them because I grew up in Mexico, then spent 10 years in the U.S. before moving to Europe six years ago. I've really gotten the chance to see all of it. I would say Europe is the pinnacle of the sport, where most of the best riders and the best shows are. However, I think Mexico and the U.S. especially are closing in, with more and more Europeans starting to base over in the States. The competition there is getting quite difficult as well.”

If you go to any two- or three-star show in Europe, it's really hard to compete for ranking points

“I think the main difference is that in Mexico, most of our athletes are amateurs. We have very few professionals and most of our riders are not like the Europeans, who are making a living with riding,” he points out. “Many of our riders have other jobs and riding is basically a hobby for them. Now, with the opportunities and the show circuit growing in Mexico, many of our young riders are taking riding more seriously and overall the sport is getting a lot more professional.” 

However, one of the main differences between Europe and the U.S. is the prize money on offer. “In Mexico and the U.S., the prize money has gotten more differentiated than in Europe. If you go to any two- or three-star show in Europe, it's really hard to compete for ranking points. Meanwhile, in the last few years, many of the two-star shows in Mexico and the U.S. have several ranking classes, some even counting for Group C – and those classes don’t have 100 riders in them like here in Europe. For sure it's very attractive to earn points over there, and to earn money. However, it's quite expensive to make the trip over and to do a season there. I do think it's nice to attract a few more riders to the other side of the pond. Hopefully Europe will follow with the prize money and give more importance to the two- and three-star shows.” 

“Nowadays, with so many shows every week all over the world, you really have to have a good group of horses,” Carlos points about the fully packed competition calendar. 

Throughout 2025, the FEI calendar includes nearly 600 shows from two- to five-star level. “It's always difficult to plan because there's so much going on and we always want to show our horses just enough but not overdo it. I was lucky enough the last year to have a good string of horses; I went to Mexico at the end of last year and continued to Wellington before returning to Europe. I was very lucky to be able to do that. In a blink of an eye, if you get a couple injuries here and there, it can become very difficult.”

We always try to plan in advance; we have a main goal and then we work backwards from that

“We always try to plan in advance; we have a main goal and then we work backwards from that. I feel like if you don’t set clear goals, you can easily find yourselves randomly picking shows and never really knowing how much your horses are showing. Obviously, in this sport plans change quite often and you have to adjust. However, that's the system that we have tried to implement the last couple of years,” Carlos tells.

“Many other sports have off-seasons; we don't, so it can get very intense,” Carlos continues. “There are so many shows that you can compete on Christmas and New Year's, really every week of the year. And if you want to stay on top of the rankings, you kind of need to keep going – that part is quite exhausting.” 

“I think we should leave it to the riders to be good horse-people and try to do what's best for the horses,” Carlos says when asked if there should be regulation around the number of shows a horse can do annually. “I understand the point of creating a clear limit, because there are exceptions and there are people that over-jump their horses.” 

With two talented horses, the 11-year-old gelding H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z as well as the 10-year-old gelding H5 Shaq Attack (Cornet Obolensky x Kashmir van Schuttershof), Carlos has his eyes set firmly on next year’s World Championships in Aachen, Germany. “My biggest goal at the moment is Aachen 2026,” Carlos tells. “I think Aachen is the best show in the world, and the world championships happening there is something very special. As a rider, if you're lucky, you get to experience something like that in a good point in your career. My aim is to have one of my horses at a good place for that.”

My biggest goal at the moment is Aachen 2026

“I think my number one option for the championship would be Shaq Attack,” Carlos continues. “I've had him since he was seven and this year, as a 10-year-old, he just started to step into the five-star level. I really believe in him, and I'm lucky that the championship will be next year, because I think he will benefit from one more year of experience. I was lucky that I could take him to Aachen this year and to some other shows on grass, so I think he got quite a good experience. Now he is having a bit of a break. However, I also have my other partner in Porthos, who already took me to the Olympics last year. He's one year older, and a little bit more experienced. Hopefully we can have them both in good shape and maybe I’ll have two to choose from next year.” 

Currently, Carlos is ranked seventh in the world on the FEI U25 ranking and sits 88th on the Longines Rankings. “I think it's incredibly competitive,” he says about his age group. “There are so many talented U25 riders all around the world. One of my biggest goals this season – because it's my last year as an U25 rider – was to reach the number one spot. I was lucky enough to do it at the beginning of the year for a few months, and then Nina [Mallevaey] really took off. She's doing amazing, and there are many young riders that have gotten into the highest sport with some good opportunities. I don't think it's ever been as competitive as it is now.” 

Five-star shows could be regulated to have one or two spots for U25 riders

“I think it was a nice addition to introduce the U25 ranking,” Carlos says. “However, I think it would be really beneficial for some of us young riders to actually get something in return for ranking high,” he points out. “As an example, five-star shows could be regulated to have one or two spots for U25 riders, just like they are obliged to invite a certain number of riders from the Longines Rankings. I think the Global Champions League has done a good job forcing all of the teams to include at least one U25 rider. When I first got to the number one spot, I said ‘they don't even give us an armband?’ It was a joke, but I do think that if you have to invite 30 riders from the world ranking, you can save one spot for a U25 rider. It would be an amazing opportunity for many,” Carlos concludes. 

8.10.2025 No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.