Carlos Andres Mejia Peña, One of Four Colombians to Have Become a Certified Rider in Warendorf

Dressage

Colombia

The 24-year old Carlos Andres Mejia Peña is one of four Colombians to have run through the official education programme and become a certified rider with the German Equestrian Federation.

The program is hosted by the German Society of Professional Riders (BBR) and requires an internship with a recognized professional rider.

Meija Pena completed the "classical dressage training" programme under the tutelage of Stefanie Wolf and passed his exam in Warendorf with an 1.8 score and a Stensbeck distinction.

"Amazing two weeks in Landgestüt Warendorf, after three years of hard work, a lot of learning and improving my riding," Carlos took to Instagram. "Thanks to everyone who gave me a hand and believed in me along the path, learning how to take the horses up the levels and speak German from 0 wasn't an easy task I have to say."

Pena was based at Krusterhof in Voerde, where he learnt about young horse training, breeding and the management of a professional dressage stable. He made his show debut in Germany in 2021 aboard Freundeskreis (by For Gold) and also competed Rita Ora H (by Rocky Lee), Sarafina (by San Amour x Christ) and All Star (by Arango x Damon Hill) in young horse classes, amongst others. He rode his first S-level test in March 2023 with Amelio (by Attraktiv x Florenciano).

Pena showed much gratitude towards Wolf. Carlos said "without your training, patience and advice nothing of this would have been possible. Hope we can continue training and competing horses for many many years."

Pena succeeds Colombian professional dressage rider Marco Bernal (1989) and Carmen Franco (1995), who achieved their degree in Warendorf. They are now now based with their business in Wellington, Florida. The fourth one is Alejandro Lema who graduated a few years ago. Colombian Maria Ines Garcia did the shortened programme for "Amateur Reitlehrer."