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Together for over a decade, the now 19-year-old gelding Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (L’Arc de Triomphe x Apache d’Adriers, bred by Valerie Allix) and Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar have built a beautiful partnership. “Going into the ring with Rokfeller in top form means so much, not only to me but to my family and my whole team as well,” Eduardo tells WoSJ.  

During the years, the two have competed at three European Championships, two World Equestrian Games, as well as at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro – and are still at the very top of their game. As the Longines Global Champions Tour 2024-season got underway in Doha in February, Rokfeller jumped to a second place in the LGCT Grand Prix, and followed up with a fourth place in the LGCT Grand Prix of Miami and a third place in the LGCT Grand Prix of Mexico City – propelling Eduardo into the overall lead of the tour.

Looking better than ever, it is hard to believe that the stunning gelding is turning twenty next year. “It will be time to retire him soon. I want to stop when he is on top and still fit and happy to compete,” Eduardo says. “Most likely that will be at the end of this year. However, we will see how he feels and what he tells us. So far, he feels fantastic: He is very fresh in his mind and happy to be at the shows.” 

What has turned out to be an exceptional connection, was not love at first sight though. Eduardo first tried Rokfeller when he was seven, still a stallion – and opted not to buy. “He had quite a bit of character,” Eduardo recalls. “However, Jaques Couperie really kept pushing me, and six months later – when Rokfeller was gelded – I tried him again, and ended up buying him.” 

At our first shows we actually did not feel like a great match

“He was eight when I first got him and at our first shows we actually did not feel like a great match,” Eduardo continues. “Things did not really work out straight away. However, I kept working with him and from one day to the other, the connection was there. He is nineteen now and I must say that we have grown up together. I did my first Nations Cups with him; I did all of my big championships with him. He's always been my main horse in the stable, no other horse has taken that number one spot away from him. Having him come back from two injuries makes every time I go into the ring with him even more special.”

“He has always been a bit special, like all the good horses usually are,” Eduardo tells about Rokfeller’s character. ”Rokfeller has his own quirks: He can be very spooky, even though he has jumped all over the world in all kind of rings. At home, on the other hand, he is very relaxed and can even be a bit lazy. Rokfeller really likes to travel and be at the shows and he is that kind of horse that will give you everything as long as you handle him with a lot of respect and care. Even though he is the kindest horse in the stable, has the biggest heart and loves to be in the ring, he can be very naughty and gets easily tense. My kids love him; he is a very special horse for the whole family and for everyone that has worked with him. There have been many people involved in his long career, and I am sure that every one of them have loved him very much.”

There have been many people involved in his long career, and I am sure that every one of them have loved him very much

“For sure the people around him deserve a special thank you,” Eduardo continues. “I know how much my former groom Terri Fitton loved him, and so does Asia Olszeska who looks after him now. It is thanks to their work that he is still doing so well. These horses mean so much to their grooms and they are a huge source of motivation for them as well. Grooms do their job because they have a special horse that keeps them motivated. It’s a hard job with non-stop travelling and no rest – and it is the love for their horses that keeps them going.” 

Rokfeller’s signature is his special way of jumping, which has been a challenge for Eduardo. “It was a bit of a problem in the beginning,” Eduardo says. “Rokfeller likes to take his time at the fence. You cannot rush him and you need a lot of patience in the take-off. He has such a slow jump and it took a while for me to adapt to it. Now I know that the two, three last strides I just need to sit quiet and wait: He needs his time to jump. He likes to go very close to the poles and other riders often comment to me that he looks like a snake going over the jumps. The feeling is fantastic, but I know watching us can sometimes feel a bit risky. However, he knows exactly where the poles are and always tries his best to clear them.” 

It's probably his mentality and his heart that has made the difference and made it possible for him to come back at this age

Rokfeller has always been a very strong horse but he has had two longer breaks during his career due to injuries. “He was out for a few months at the end of sixteen,” Eduardo explains. “After a couple of shows back, he sustained another injury that left him out for a year. We have not rushed or pushed anything on him. We started very slowly and with careful management, good vets and physios he feels great now. In the end, I think it's probably his mentality and his heart that has made the difference and made it possible for him to come back at this age.” 

After over a decade together, Rokfeller is a part of the family for Eduardo. “He has given me so much,” Eduardo says. “I have grown as a rider thanks to him. And thanks to him, I'm still doing these big competitions with great results. We have a fantastic relationship. The connection I have with him is something I’ve never had with another horse. There are many horses that have passed in my stable but there is something really special between us.” 

The connection I have with him is something I’ve never had with another horse

“When we started together, he had experience in 1.40m classes and at the beginning we didn't know how good he was going to be. I think he had everything inside of him, but it was difficult to show it because of the way he jumps. However, every time we stepped up to bigger classes, it felt easy for him. He jumps all the biggest tracks without a huge effort and I think that's why he can still jump at this age.”

“I can’t name only one,” Eduardo says when asked about the most memorable moments with Rokfeller. “The World Cup in Zürich was a very important moment, but so were the top placings at our home show in Madrid as well. There are many places where Rokfeller has been outstanding. Winning the Prague Playoffs with Madrid in Motion was also something to remember, it was a fantastic achievement. The latest top placings in Mexico, Miami and Doha felt very special as well, coming back so strong after a long time out. All I can hope for the rest of the season is that it continues this way. Every time I get to go in the ring with him is very a special moment.” 

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