Spanish international dressage rider and trainer Gabriel Seijo is currently based in Spain again after spending nine years working abroad gaining international experience. Gabriel explains “After spending nine years working abroad, I felt it was the right time to return home and begin a new chapter with my own projects”.
Gabriel’s career has always focused on dressage training, competition, and horse sales, working with both Iberian horses and warmbloods. He says “Over the years, I have trained horses of different ages and levels, always prioritizing their development in a healthy, progressive, and respectful way, as I strongly believe that true performance comes from the horse’s well-being”.
Gabriel spent about four years in Segovia and another four years in Germany. During the last two years in Germany, he founded his own company, which developed successfully untiI he felt it was time to return to Spain to build new projects and bring back everything he had learned abroad. Gabriel’s goal is to continue developing horses and riders with a strong technical and ethical foundation, combining equestrian tradition with a modern vision of training.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Currently I ride several horses of different ages and stages of training. Some are young horses learning the basics, while others are more established and working on developing their strength, balance, and dressage movements. A typical week includes daily riding, groundwork, hacking, and gymnastic exercises. I like to vary the work to keep the horses mentally fresh and physically healthy. Training is adapted to each individual horse, but consistency, patience, and clear communication are always key.
Describe your journey to becoming a professional dressage rider
My first contact with horses happened before I was even one year old, when a family friend placed me on his horse. I think that, without knowing it, that was the day I fell in love with these animals. From then on, I always wanted to ride, although at home it seemed impossible at first. Later, my cousins began riding, and that’s when I finally convinced my family to let me take lessons with them.
Like many riders, my early days were driven by enthusiasm and a very natural connection with the horse, even before understanding the technical side of riding. My first horse came into my life when I was around eleven years old. He was already quite old, but he had an enormous heart. For many years, he was the one who made me fall more and more in love with this way of life and who strengthened the very special bond I have with horses.
I continued training and taking lessons at different riding centres in my area, and little by little that passion began to turn into a professional path. Still, the time came to decide what to study, and my family sent me to England to study Gemology, as my father’s side of the family works in the jewellery business. However, after a few months, I realised it didn’t truly fulfil me. I felt it wasn’t my path.
I made the decision to return home and start looking for work as a rider. That was when my journey clearly turned toward dressage, a discipline that captivated me because of its combination of technique, sensitivity, and the constant search for harmony between horse and rider. Dressage taught me that it’s not just about riding, but about understanding the horse — its mind and body — and helping it develop step by step.
Over time, I progressed from ponies and beginner horses to working with young horses, then developing horses in training, and later competition horses. Each stage taught me something different: patience, precision, responsibility, and above all, respect for the process. I learned that in dressage there are no real shortcuts — true progress is built in a solid and thoughtful way.
This path also took me abroad, where I greatly expanded my professional perspective. Working in different countries, with various training systems and types of horses, helped me grow not only as a rider but as a trainer, and even to found my own company.
Now, after all those years abroad, I have just returned to Spain with the goal of bringing back and applying everything I’ve learned during that time, starting new projects and continuing to develop horses and riders with a strong technical and ethical foundation. Today, everything — from that first day on a horse as a baby to my international experience — shapes my approach: performance-oriented dressage, always grounded in the horse’s well-being, respect, and understanding.
Who have been your most influential mentors?
My greatest mentor has undoubtedly been my aunt, Primi Seijo. From the very beginning, she understood that this was not just a hobby for me, but my life path. She always supported me and helped make this journey a little easier. Her trust, encouragement, and belief in me have been fundamental in allowing me to keep moving forward at important moments.
From a technical perspective, the person who contributed most to my foundations as a rider has been Isidro Maldonado. Not only because of his technique and knowledge, but also because of the kind of person he is. His way of understanding horsemanship, his respect for the horse, and his ability to teach dressage have been key pillars in my development and are still very present in how I work today.
At the same time, I strongly believe that in this sport you never stop learning. I like to train and educate myself in many ways — through training sessions, competitions, observation, studying videos, and learning from different professionals. During my years in Germany, it was more difficult due to limited time to travel, but whenever I had the opportunity, I trained with different coaches to keep improving.
In fact, one of the reasons I decided to return to Spain was exactly this: to be able to dedicate more time to my own development, train more regularly with coaches, and continue evolving both as a rider and as a trainer.
What do you love about dressage?
What I love most about dressage is the partnership between horse and rider. Dressage is about communication, trust, and harmony. When everything comes together and the horse moves freely and confidently, it is an incredible feeling. The process of improvement, step by step, is what truly motivates me.
Proudest Moments?
Some of my proudest moments are not necessarily results, but milestones — developing a young horse correctly, overcoming challenges, or feeling genuine progress in the training process. Those moments, where you truly feel the horse improving in confidence, strength, and understanding, are incredibly rewarding and define my journey as a rider and trainer. That said, there have also been important competitive highlights along the way. During my time in Germany, I had the opportunity to win several young horse classes with scores above 9, which was a very meaningful recognition of the training system and philosophy behind my work.
Earlier in my career, while working at Yeguada Centurión, I was also selected as reserve for the World Championship for Young Horses in the 5-year-old category. Working in Germany and gaining international experience overall was a major milestone that shaped my professional career, both in terms of technical growth and understanding different approaches to training and horse development.
Dressage always comes with challenges, what have been yours?
Like any long journey, there have been many challenges. Moving countries, adapting to different systems, setbacks with horses, and moments of doubt are all part of the process. Some challenges were unexpected, but they taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of trusting the process.
You work with many young horses, what do you enjoy about that and how do you approach their training?
I really enjoy working with young horses because every day is a learning experience for both horse and rider. My approach is always based on patience, clarity, and respect. At an early stage, it is essential to build confidence, correct basics, and a positive attitude towards work. The foundation you create early on will shape the horse’s entire future.
What have been your biggest lessons on your dressage journey?
One of my biggest lessons is that there are no shortcuts in dressage. Progress takes time, consistency, and understanding. Listening to the horse, adapting to each individual, and staying humble are lessons that stand out the most for me.
A horse that holds a special place in your heart?
My first horse, Cariñoso II, was the one who marked my life. With him, I understood the beauty and depth of this profession. Since then, many horses have crossed my path, all of them leaving me with something. They are horses I remember every day, because there are some with whom you create a special feeling, a connection you never forget.
Future goals and aspirations?
My goal is to continue developing both as a rider and as a trainer, producing horses correctly and ethically, and progressing step by step in the sport. I want to keep learning, competing, and helping each horse reach its full potential in a way that respects its physical and mental well-being.
Of course, I also aspire to compete at major shows. That is part of every rider’s dream. I hope that one day the special horse comes along — the one that allows us to truly shine and be present at that level. But I believe those moments are the result of patience, correct training, and long-term development, not shortcuts. For me, the focus must always remain on the process, because the big stages are a consequence of doing the daily work well.
Your Top Tip
Always put the horse first. If the horse is happy, confident, and correctly trained, everything else will follow.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
“Take your time.” Dressage is a long journey, and rushing only leads to problems. Trust the process and enjoy the path.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Dressage is truly a team effort. My support team includes trainers, grooms, vets, farriers, owners, friends, and family. Having the right people around you makes all the difference, both professionally and personally.