Spanish FEI Rider and PRE Trainer Ruben Arrabe Sanchez Died Unexpectedly

Dressage

Spain

The 31-year old Spanish international dressage and renowned PRE horse trainer Ruben Arrabe Sanchez died unexpectedly on Sunday 12 October 2020.

Respected Trainer

Arrabé was born with the horse gene, growing up amongst horses at his parent's breeding yard, Yeguada Domingo Arrabe.

His first claim to fame came in 2013 when he won the Spanish Young Horse Championships and ANCCE Cup Final with the 4-year old Ules VDOS. In 2017 he was the reserve champion on the 4-year old Lemen's Star, while in 2018 he won the ANCCE Cup Final with the 6-year old Toral RJ.

Ruben's international show debut in 2012 at the CDI Toledo, where he competed Goloso D (by Empaque x Azucar VII). The horse is now owned by Brunei's Miriam al Khalifa.

His international small tour debut followed in 2015 at the CDI Jerez de la Frontera, aboard the Westfalian bred V.Laureus (by Laurens) and Westfalian Calindo GL (by Contifax). Arrabe mainly competed young horses and never went outside of Spain.

His most recent CDI start was in May 2019 in the 7-year old test with his in-laws' PRE stallion Toral RJ at the CDI Segovia.

Ruben was based in Villanueva De La Cañada near Madrid and was a highly professional and respected handler. He prepared PRE's for breed shows. Dressed in traditional attire, Arrabe brought the best out in his horses.

Untimely Passing

Although loved by his family and respected in the horse world, the talented rider and trainer was overwhelmed by life and decided to end it.

Arrabe is already the fifth dressage rider to die young in 2020: Teresa Butta-Stanton (USA), Henning Sloth Jepsen (DEN), Holger Münstermann (GER), and Akihiro Shimoda (JPN) are deeply mourned after their untimely passing.

Ruben leaves behind his wife Teresa Pujalte Alvariño and two children.

Tribute at SICAB

Ruben was supposed to compete at 2020 SICAB, the World PRE Breeding Championships, this week. On Monday morning, the shocking news brought great sadness to the event which celebrates Arrabe's passion, the PRE horse.

A special tribute was held at SICAB on Monday morning 13 October with riders, trainers and fans forming a circle in the main stadium for a minute of silence.