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“The amount of love and gratitude that you can feel for a horse cannot really be explained,” Federico Fernandez tells World of Showjumping. “Horses are an incredible part of my balance and my happiness; being with horses keeps me in touch with nature. The horses never ask for anything, but yet give us everything.”

The 56-year-old Mexican – who received the Pivo FEI Inspire Award in 2023 – has competed at four Olympic Games, seven World Championships and three Pan-Am Games. With the 13-year-old Romeo (Lando x Cheers Cassini), Fernandez was part of the Mexican team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the two also contributed to Mexico’s historical second place in the CSIO5* Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen back in July. Furthermore, this summer, the two placed sixth in the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard.

As impressive as Fernandez’s sports career is, it is his approach to life that one can’t help but admire. “I am in a very happy stage of my life,” he says. “Many great things have happened to me, and I have great dreams about the future. I lead a complete life with my family, my business and my horses. I couldn't have asked more of life; I am a very lucky, happy man. My approach has always been to dream and achieve, instead of complaining and staying stagnant.”

“My experience with life is that when something that appears to be extremely bad happens to you, you can turn it to something positive – if you have the right attitude and you give it time,” Fernandez says about his outlook on life as one of three survivors of a horrible plane crash in 1987.

My experience with life is that when something that appears to be extremely bad happens to you, you can turn it to something positive

Together with a group of eleven other people and eighteen horses, Fernandez was travelling from Mexico City to that year’s FEI North American Young Riders Championship in Chicago. But, shortly after take-off the plane crashed into the rush-our traffic on the highway below. Fernandez was one of only three passengers who survived, alongside one horse. “I was 19-years-old, and it was a tough experience, but I think it brought a lot of good things into my life as well,” Fernandez says about the accident which kept him in the burns unit in a Texas hospital for six months, where he had to go through numerous surgeries. “It made me understand that we have an obligation to be happy and to compromise for others. I learned to be very honest and kind with everyone around me.”

“I never lost happiness,” he continues to tell about his recovery – which saw him return to the ring a year after the crash, triumphing with a Grand Prix victory in Mexico City. “Horses played a very, very important part in keeping me going. The most important thing in life is to enjoy every day, to have a life that pulls you out of bed. I am so blessed because I have a very balanced life that allows me to be happy every day.”

From May to September, Fernandez spends his time in Europe, while the rest of the year he stays at home in Mexico City. Coming from an equestrian family, the 56-year-old has always been surrounded by horses. “My father and my uncle – Fernando Senderos, who won individual gold and team silver at the Pan-American Games in Mexico City in 1975 – used to ride, and ever since I can remember, I have been incredibly passionate about horses,” he explains. “When I was younger, I was very active, and horses were all I could think of. I needed a bit of balance in my life and I think horses gave me that. I started riding in a riding club in Mexico and Carlos Valdez was my first coach. He is still very dear to me. After him I trained with Gerardo Tazzer, who was an outstanding rider and coach. I'm always trying to improve in any possible way; I like to go to clinics and get help from my colleagues.”

Horses are my passion, and my family is my priority

Fernandez is an entrepreneur and combines his riding career with running his own business. “My work gives me a lot of satisfaction as well and I think it is a way for me to give back to my country,” he says. “I am lucky enough to have a great group of people that help me run the company in a good way, and in the stables my wife Paola is in charge. Paola is a great rider and a perfectionist; she takes care of the stable, both her horses and mine. We try not to keep too many horses though; we usually have around 10 to 13.”

“Horses are my passion, and my family is my priority,” Fernandez continues. “I have four kids, three that are older. My wife Paola is my companion in life – and also in sport. We just had a baby; we are very fortunate and happy with this new life. It is so special to be able to share my passion with my life companion. It makes life so interesting – and intense. I am in love with Paola, but also the life we have created together.”

While still competing at the highest level, Fernandez has a back injury that doesn't allow him to ride too much. “I normally only have three horses that I compete with,” he tells. “I have developed a very nice partnership with all of them and I love everything about them; I believe that I will always have horses around me. Having talented youngsters in my string of horses that can help me in the difficult achievement of competing at the top of the sport is something I aim to do. A great horse can take me to the shows that I really like to do.”

This is something that we must never forget; the most important part of our sport is the horse

“Romeo is a horse that we got when he was young,” Fernandez tells about the 13-year-old stallion that he has recorded his most recent successes with. “Actually, he was a gift from a very dear friend who had bought him as a foal. He is an outstanding horse with incredible heart. He always wants to please and he is just the best companion you could have when you are in a tough situation, entering a Nations Cup or a big Grand Prix. I am very fortunate to have him. This is something that we must never forget; the most important part of our sport is the horse.”

“This is a sweet spot in the Mexican history,” Fernandez says about the success the jumping team in green recently has enjoyed. “At the moment, we have a great mix between younger and more experienced riders and we have a good ambience in between us. Mexico has always had talented riders and good horses, but not so many at the same time. Therefore, these are special times – and I am excited to be a part of it.”

These are special times – and I am excited to be a part of it

And their success is appreciated: During the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen, in a fully packed stadium of 40,000 spectators, a group of Mexican fans were probably the most enthusiastic – happily cheering their horses and riders. “We are always very supportive of each other and there's a lot of passion for horses in Mexico,” Fernandez smiles. “Mexicans are very proud, and when something goes well, we are very vocal about it.”  

“I have always been a complete fan of Nations Cups,” he continues. “The Nations Cups are the base of the western sport. These competitions are what keeps me riding; I love to be a part of a team. A Nations Cup creates a totally different atmosphere, it makes the riders get together. It makes riders work as a team, it gives you human values, and it reminds you to care about your fellow teammates and your horses. It's the most beautiful competition there is. I like a Nations Cup much better than any Grand Prix, there is something special about it when you go and fight for your country. I would be sad if Nations Cups lost importance against the individual competitions.”

During the past few seasons, Mexico has started to attract international riders to their tour of four and five-star shows in the autumn. “I am proud to say that Mexicans are very generous and we are always eager to receive foreign riders with open arms. The shows we have are at amazing facilities; we have great fences, quality course design and super sport. We have great shows, and even though these shows are far away, they are so special that they are worth the travel. I am proud to see our country accomplish a higher level of competition on home soil.”

“We have really, really good horse-and-rider combinations,” Fernandez says about the Mexican national team. “There is a good mix of talented pairs to create a very competitive team. I am older now and just so grateful that I am still able to compete and contribute to my country in the Nations Cups. For me, competing in Paris was another dream come true! I have already experienced many championships and of course I would love to go again – but only if I am in an incredible position of being competitive.”

25.9.2024 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.