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He was born in Andalusia in Southern Spain and practically got into the saddle before he could walk. Severo Jurado López has always known that horses were to be his livelihood. After his time at Helgstrand Dressage, he has become independent and used the quiet corona time to settle in. How it is to be the master of his own stable, and what fundamentally characterizes his approach to horses, we ask him here.
I am well. I am happy that in 2020 I made the decision to quit my job at Helgstrand Dressage to start my own. We have some lovely horses in the stable of all ages and at all levels, and I have used the somewhat quiet time under COVID-19 to get to know them all and get them in shape. That time was well spent.
I am in the stable at 7 o'clock. Basically, I sit in the saddle all day. That's also what I like best. I do this until 1 o'clock, where I have lunch with my girlfriend and our employees. Then I ride again. My groom, Line Thestrup, prepares the horses so I can ride them, and she takes care of them and puts them in the paddock when I am finished. In this way, I have more time to ride. Usually, I ride about 10 horses a day, and I finish around 5 or 6 o'clock. Some evenings I teach – online – or maybe I spend a little time fixing something that has broken down on the farm. Around 10 o'clock, I check the horses one last time, feed them, and then turn off the light.
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It is much better (than before, ed.), because I can decide exactly what should happen with each horse. And we only have 10 horses in training, so I can develop a much closer relationship with each horse.
I have been preparing for this life for over 10 years. So I would not call it a new beginning. Every step in my career and education builds on top of each other and has been necessary for me to move forward.
I see many technically skilled riders, but you also need to be able to read your horse. This applies both when you are on it and when you are around it. Only in this way can you get the best out of the horse and create a real partnership.
I believe it's about becoming an equestrian team – about becoming one with the horse.
Mental strength and will are clearly the most important. The horse can have the best gait and look quite spectacular, but it's just not the most important thing. For me, it's about feeling that the horse has a strong back, so it can carry a rider, collect itself and move forward at once without losing its back – and mind. A horse with an optimistic and positive mind can go so far.
I simply cannot single out one. There are many horses that have been very special to me in their own way.
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It's my ride with Lorenzo in Aachen in 2016. When I rode down the centerline at the end of my freestyle, I really felt it had been a good ride. The audience was very excited and stood up and clapped. It was incredible, and Lorenzo obviously loved it just as much as I did. The audience in Aachen understands riding, and it's not easy to impress them. But that moment, that atmosphere, I will definitely never forget.
My goal is to compete in the Olympics if me and my horses are ready. And then I look forward to being able to participate in the World Championships again. It's a fantastic event. I just want to continue in the sport and become an even better rider.
I would not have done anything differently. I work hard and try to learn something new every single day – even today. I have dedicated my life to horses and always try to get better. It takes time and passion. I think that some young riders today long for quick success, but they perhaps forget a bit about how many hours of work and education it requires. You should primarily find good mentors who really spend time with you.
I am very happy with where I am in life right now. I just want to become an even better rider and horseman.
If there is one thing I have learned about horses over the years, it is that you cannot plan too much with them.
