WHEN WAS YOUR VERY FIRST EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION?
I think I was 9, and it was on a horse. Actually I never rode a pony in my life, and the first competition I did in showjumping was with this big, tall horse I can’t recall the name of.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?
The Olympic medal, of course. Individually, I’d say the World Cup final in Lyon in 2014.
IF YOU HAD NOT GONE INTO HORSE RIDING, WHAT WOULD YOU have LIKEd TO Do?
No idea! Horses have always been an attractive thing to me. I know I couldn’t sit in an office all day, part of me always needs to move. But it’s tough to imagine that afterwards, if there is something I would have liked to do other than riding. But for sure I need to be outside, in action.
YOU TRAVEL A LOT. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY?
I have to be honest, I like Spanish cities like Barcelona. Those are really nice cities.
WHICH OBJECT DO YOU ALWAYS KEEP WITH YOU?
My phone! (laughs). Phone, wallet, matches; the top-three. If I don’t have three things, i feel like i’ve lost something.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETE?
There are so many athletes I find impressive, especially now with the Olympics. Take USAIn Bolt for example, he is not only an athlete, he's a hero!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC?
Modern music, rock, pop. New songs that are on the radio. I don’t really have a special title in mind.
DO YOU PREFER THE BEACH OR THE MOUNTAINS?
Summer, the beach; winter, the mountains! (laughs).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Actually, I don’t go often on holidays, but I like both. I like to go skiing for a couple of days in winter, and in summer enjoy the good weather and relax on the beach.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT BEDTIME READING?
In general, I don’t like to read books. Never ever in my life I have really liked to read a book. Between reading and watching a movie, I always pick the movie because reading for example in bed, is simply something I can not do. I fall asleep at half a page for sure.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FILM?
I like action movies, current movies. Like the Die Hard series for example. the latest one is old already, but I remember watching them as a kid and I grew up with them.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL?
(smile) Because I like it or because I have a funny story going with it? I’m not really a cocktail drinker but I do recall liking the Long Island Iced Tea.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL SUNDAY?
Wake up whenever my daughter wakes me up, have breakfast, and do nothing. Relax on the sofa, watch movies, not going out, and just do nothing. It doesn’t happen many times in a year but if there is a Sunday without a show, that’s what we are going to do.
WHAT IS YOUR EVERYDAY CAR?
AND YOUR DREAM CAR?
My everyday car is a Mercedes S-Coupé at the moment. I think it’s a really nice car. I can’t say it’s my dream car but I can't complain. I had a sports car in between, the Mercedes GT, but I prefer now to have something more comfortable.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOS BY JESSICA RODRIGUEZ
