Juan's in
Pursuit of
Perfection

15 June 2018

Young Spanish Dressage rider Juan Matute Guimón is dreaming big, but achieving bigger...

After speaking with Juan Matute Guimón, it's quickly apparent that, despite being just 20-years-old, the Spaniard could make a pretty successful politician - if he was not already considered one of the brightest young stars in Dressage.

 

Polished, well-spoken, outgoing, and - perhaps the word most frequently used, "charming” - Juan has a way of making those around him feel at ease, including the horses he rides.

 

He currently has six horses in training and recently clinched the gold medal for Spain with the high score in the U25 Nations Cup in Wellington (USA) - just the latest in an already long list of accolades.

We have an overall strategy for the entire year, not just the season

Spanish success

Juan has already secured Freestyle gold at the 2015 FEI European Championships for Juniors (FRA), a win in the U25 Grand Prix at the prestigious CHIO 5* Aachen (GER) last year, and a runner-up finish against his elders in the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3* at the 2018 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (USA).

 

“It’s been a great season,” Juan. said. “Every season is special in its own way, with specific goals and expectations. We have an overall strategy for the entire year, not just the season.”

 

Triumphing in the U25 Nations Cup held special meaning for Matute, who swept all three of the U25 classes offered on the weekend with longtime mount Don Diego Ymas, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding that he’s ridden in FEI competition since 2012. Moreover, Spanish teammate Encinas Fuentes, 22, finished second individually.

 

“It was a huge success that two Spanish riders were on the podium,” Juan said. “For me, this year’s Nations Cup meant a lot, because I did it with Don Diego. We’ve come a long way together. He has a few more years ahead of him, and he’s healthy and fit, but at 15, he’s still getting older now.

 

“It’s been very neat that he’s been able to build up such a huge [resume], from Juniors, to Young Riders, to the senior Grand Prix and U25. He’s won so many medals, had so many achievements, and he’s beaten his personal best scores constantly. I’m so thankful for everything the horse has given me and taught me. The Nations Cup medals were not only mine, but also his.”

Juan-big-rob

Like father, like son

The son of Juan Matute Sr, a three-time Olympian, Juan has been surrounded by horses from a young age, but his riding career did not begin down centerline. He made his way through the Olympic disciplines, first jumping before taking an interest in Eventing and ultimately ending up where his genetics said he should be.

 

“Dressage is all about the pursuit of perfection—to get as close to it as possible,” Juan said. “The cool part of Dressage is, the horse and rider combination is meant to be able to pull off extravagant movements in front of the judges in the most elegant, precise way possible.

 

"It’s hard work, but you have to make it seem like it isn’t. It’s fascinating.”

 

But, as Juan will tell you, a winning pedigree comes with its benefits and challenges. He has received top class training from his father and great support from sponsor Yeguada de Ymas, but his surname has come with great expectations and pressure, which he has chosen to channel into motivation.

 

“My greatest motivator is to improve upon my father’s achievements,” Juan said. “I think that as a son, any son or daughter, even if it’s not in the same field, should try to improve upon their parents’ life experiences and try to evolve. Every generation should try to seek a higher degree or new boundary.”

 

The sky is the limit for Juan. While also pursuing a business degree through an online program in conjunction with the Palm Beach International Academy, he managed to finish 2017 as the third-ranked U25 rider on the FEI Youth Dressage Ranking List.

 

Following a winter in Wellington, where he has had a home since 2008, Juan is headed to Europe, where he will contend for a place on the Spanish team for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC, this September.

 

“I’m an extremely ambitious and competitive individual, and I really enjoy challenge,” he said. “I will for sure give WEG a good try, and I think we stand a chance. Spain has many combinations that could be very competitive and difficult to beat, but I enjoy challenges.

 

“At the same time, I’m 20 and have many years ahead of me in the U25 division. It would be really cool to say I competed at WEG at 20 years old, but I’m also going to be realistic, even though I’m dreaming very big.” 

 

Keep up to date with how Juan progresses this year and for all the latest from the FEI dresage circuit, visit FEI TV.

 

Text by Catie Staszak

Images by Anthony Demierre