
Text and photos © Lily Forado
There is little to say when results speak for themselves. Spanish Under 25 rider Alejandro Oliva has been undefeated since he began his career at this level with Decor.
The student of Juan Antonio Jiménez has been a stand-out rider in the international Under 25 classes at CDI's in Spain and been adding great results to his tally.
Eight Victories in Three Months
In a space of three months, Alejandro and Decor have surprised, broken records without stopping and above all have gone from much to even more. In his eight international outings, all eight have been wins! Jérez, Le Mans and Las Cadenas have been the places where their light has shone bright.
In other words, Alejandro riding Decor is a winning machine. Last weekend his pursuit for gold continued, ending with a double win and two new personal records of 73.284% in the Intermediate II and 73.590% in the GP U25 at the 2022 CDI Camarma de Esteruelas.
Grand Decor
Alejandro is down to earth and aware of the great horse he has. The objective this season is the 2022 European Under 25 Championship in Pilisjaszfalu, Hungary, and with these numbers, he is well on his way.
In late January, Alejandro started riding Décor, an 11-year old Hanoverian gelding by Detroit x Herzensdieb, which originally came from Germany from horse dealers Kerstin Klieber and Stefan Sandbrink. He was previously competed by Joseph Robert Hunt and brought to Grand Prix level by Carlos Bayo Calvo. He is owned by Sylvia Fort Brescia De Mulder in partnership with trainer Jimenez.
Alejandro describes him as a very energetic horse, who always wants to work and give his best.
When asked what these eight victories make him feel like, Alejandro replied that, the truth is that I have really enjoyed all of them, but perhaps the most special was Inter II in Jerez de la Frontera. After all, it was my debut with the horse, we had only been together for a short time, I was intrigued by what the judges would think. It was nice to debut the horse with those results and in such a special place as the Real Escuela.”
Under 25 Growing in Spain
Since 2016, the Under 25 category has been able to mark its competition season highlight with a European Championship. In its first edition, the members of the Spanish team were Juan Matute with Don Diego, Pablo Gómez Molina with Tarpan Ymas and Erik Balasch with Dorado. In the Short Grand Prix test, Juan Matute won the bronze medal, while Pablo Gómez and Juan Matute were among the top 10 of the Kur.
A look at the FEI Under 25 World Ranking shows that a Spaniard is leading: Sergio García Bermejo on Hexagon's Innuendo. With Alejandro Oliva's recent results, Spain has two solid horses for the European U25 Championships. The 2022 Spanish Dressage Championships in Barcelona the first week of June will be the first official team selection trial and decisive for these Under 25 riders.
Text and photos © Lily Forado
Related Links
Scores: 2022 CDI Camarma de Esteruelas
Scores: 2022 CDI Jerez de la Frontera
Scores: 2022 CDI Jerez de la Frontera
Anna Jesty in the Flow at 2022 CDI Jerez de la Frontera
Juan Antonio Jimenez: With Self-Made Success and a New Barn Looking Optimistically into 2021