Following a Spruce Meadows Dream from Mexico to Calgary: Victor Sobrevals

February 2020 on Caresanio HB.

Victor Sobrevals sent me an article with his thoughts about professional and amateur designation in show jumping. A quick glance at his Instagram later and I was intrigued. Victor is multilingual (Spanish, English, French and Portugese), has lived all over North America, and loves animals. He seemed to be an interesting person, and, being a writer, interesting people are my jam.

Originally from Mexico, Victor is currently a resident rider at Rocky Mountain Show Jumping in Calgary. We met in a coffee shop in Woodbine to swap show jumping stories and discuss the positive effects of horses on mental health.

Victor grew up riding in Veracruz, Mexico, a state that is home to some big Grand Prix such as the CSIO 4* Coapexpan. He was initially drawn to horseback riding for the girls, he admitted with a smile. When he finished high school, he went to University and became a lawyer, but after a few years of working behind a desk, he wasn’t happy. He missed horses and wanted to be back at the barn.

Early days riding in Mexico.

“I think everyone has a story like that with horses,” he said. “How horses save our lives.” Interestingly, I have been working on a new piece about that very thing. “I think horses reconnect me with my inner child,” he reflected.

After some years working and riding in Mexico, Victor got a job with Australian Show Jumper Matt Williams, and travelled by truck, going from show to show like a group of gypsies, from Mexico City, to San Miguel, to Tryon Ohio, to New York State, to Kentucky, and eventually to Calgary for the Spruce Meadows Masters last September in 2021.

“It was always my dream to come to Spruce Meadows,” Victor said. While he didn’t show there – yet – he got the full experience, sharing the warm-up ring with greats like Kent Farrington.

“My horse was acting out, and he (Kent) told me to get my horse under control,” he laughed. “After the class he came up and apologized to me.”

Victor also helped out Australian show jumper Rowan Willis, which included ponying his top mount Blue Movie. “She doesn’t like to be ridden,” he explained. “To keep her fit, we pony her behind another horse.”

As Victor gained exposure to the show jumping scene outside of Mexico, he noticed the difference between how the horses are treated in Canada and the United States compared to in Mexico.

“Everyone is good to their horses here,” he explained. “There is the culture of charros in Mexico,” referring to the Mexican cowboys known for their big hats and spurs. (I had noticed the same thing in Argentina.)

Another difference is the relative affordability of the sport in Mexico. “You can compete at a nice show for a weekend for about $250 US dollars,” he explained. “You only pay for the stall, and the class fees are included.” We agreed that it would be amazing to go from Calgary to Mexico to show in the winter - the only potential downside being the distance of hauling for the horses. “It’s cheap to get a groom also – everyone has one.”

Perks of Show Jumping in Mexico - beach rides.

For the next couple of years, Victor will continue to ride and show young horses for Barn Manager Kelly Hirsh of Rocky Mountain Show Jumping. He is in the process of obtaining his coaching certificate, and would love to work in Canada long-term, becoming a world-renowned professional, although he suspects Calgary might be a little too cold for him. “I don’t know if I can handle the winters,” he laughed.

Thanks for chatting Victor! Follow along with Victor and his Doberman Julia’s adventures on Instagram @goldenflaco.

With Julia.

The Real Supporters of Equestrian Sport
By Victor Sobrevals

Amateur - a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.
How many riders still have or keep their amateur status in order so they don't get paid or get a profit from the sport? On the other hand, how many amateur riders are considered professionals just because they get paid for doing activities related to the sport?

Whether you teach a small kid, or do some catch rides, the moment you get a benefit from the equestrian sport you'll automatically be catalogued as a "pro" and it has nothing to do with your level in shows or certifications for being a coach.

There's is no point of comparison between a real pro in the sport who gets sponsors, has Grand Prix horses, has a whole team and unlimited amounts of money for living on a tour, to a simple group of people supporting the sport by making a way of living and competing in gold, silver or bronze level shows. Of course our sport is easier to achieve at a high level if you have financial aids and sponsors, but the point here is that the small circle who pays all the bills (competitions, shows, grooms, feed, tack supplies, coaching, vets, farriers, riders, massage therapists, etc.) is a bunch of amateurs trying to get to the top of the sport.

Then who is really a pro and based on what? 

There are many riders that are not considered a pro just by the fact that they don't get a profit from the sport, yet they are at the highest level (5 star or even Olympians) and there are others who don't even show in any Grand Prix and are considered professional.

What Equestrian Federations should do is set distinctions or categories for the professionals in the industry based on the level that you are coaching or riding. 

We can not have in the same category a "pro" like Peder Fredricson (world's FEI #1 in Longines Jumping Ranking) and your local horse trainer, who doesn't even has a FEI register.

Written by Victor Sobrevals
Considered "pro" rider.