Chatting with Pablo Gomez Molina

Thirty year old Spanish international Grand Prix dressage rider Pablo Gomez works for Yeguada de Ymas and is based in Wellington, Florida. His routine includes riding around 10 horses a day from young horses to GP horses to train them and make them ready for competition. Usually at the beginning of May he and others from the team travel with a few horses to compete in Europe for three to four months before returning to Florida. Pablo has worked for the world famous Yegada de Yma breeding and training business since he was nineteen and has enjoyed considerable success during this time with  notable highlights including placing in the top ten in a U25 European championship, winning a GP CDI5* with Ulises De Ymas in Wellington and being long listed for the Paris Olympics.

How did horses come into your life?

Everything started when my parents took me to a summer camp when I was eight years old where they had horses and I started riding them and I liked it. Since then I haven’t stoped riding.

In 2012 I started the instructor courses level 1 and 2 that are required in Spain, so I was riding some horses and teaching pony club lessons. Then in 2013, when I was nineteen years old, I saw an advertisement in a Spanish online magazine that Yeguada de Ymas were looking for young people to work as a working student. I thought it could be a great opportunity for me to improve my riding and to get the chance to do some competitions, since I didn't have much experience. I applied, had an interview, rode some horses and they offered me a position as a working student in Wellington, and that is where I have been working ever since.

 

What does a typical day for you look like?

I usually start riding at 7.30am until around 2pm depending on the number of horses, then in the afternoon I put some horses on the aqua treadmill or walker, and after I teach some lessons until 5pm.  After that I try to go to the gym for a workout or relax.

Who do you train with?

I have been training with Jose Daniel Martin Docks for the past three years, he tries to come to Wellington for a few days every five weeks. If the schedule works he also comes to the shows in Europe as well as a few days for training wherever we are based during the summer.

What are you and your horses currently working on?

At the moment, I have 13 horses on my riding list every day.

I have two of my own horses, Farinel is turning 9yro and competing internationally Small tour working towards the GP, and Gavilan is a 6yro PRE.

Then from Ymas I have Ulises de Ymas, Servus Ymas and Baltasar de Ymas competing in International GP, Aurelius Ymas, competing in the small tour, and the rest are young horses with the goal of developing them and hopefully competing them soon.

What do you love about riding?

I love the partnership with the horse, to be able to see how they develop, the path they take to understand what Im asking for and to create a bond with them. I really enjoy to bring the horses up the levels.

What challenges have you faced on your dressage journey?

The hardest are probably horse injuries and being far from my family.

What would you like to be doing in the future?

I want to keep riding, keep improving and learn how to be a better rider and horseman. My goal in the future is to be part of the Spanish team and hopefully be able to compete at the Olympics.

It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?

Obviously Yeguada de Ymas owners because they have always given me great opportunities to develop their horses and to compete them, as well as putting a lot of trust in me.

But everybody in the team is equally important, grooms, vet , farriers, physios, friends, family…. everyone working in the same direction is what makes it work.

What in your opinion do you think it takes to get to the top of dressage?

I think it takes a lot of hours spent around horses, a lot of work and sacrifice and a great team around you.

Your Top Tip

Enjoy the ride, the moment, try not to overthink a bad ride or result and never give up.