Corona Times: Hit & Run with Jose Antonio Garcia Mena

Interviews

Spain

In corona times we are all ordered to stay at home, self quarantine, and do social distancing. With more time on your hands to spend online, Eurodressage launches a "Hit & Run" interview series so that you get to know the world's most famous dressage riders and personalities more closely.

Spanish Grand Prix rider Jose Antonio Garcia Mena has represented Spain on his career making horse Norte Lovera at two World Equestrian Games (2010, 2014) and two European Dressage Championships (2013, 2015). He won the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix Championships. He competed at three World Young Horse Championships (2014, 2015, 2018). He has been helping Isabell Werth with piaffe training and has currently received the ride on Werth's Sorento as a Tokyo Olympic hopeful.

Hit & Run - Jose Antonio Garcia Mena

What is your earliest memory?

Riding ponies at Mr. Domecq farm

Which person alive do you admire the most and why?

I admire my parents for how they have worked hard to bring the family forward

When were you the happiest?

l am happy every day. God blesses me

What is your biggest fear?

If I or a family member were to get ill

What was your first thought today?

It was Mother's Day so I congratulated the mothers in my family

What is your most annoying character trait?

I feel that lazy people get uncomfortable around me..

Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?

Hypocricy

What is your dearest possession?

My dear family

If you look into the future, what do you see?

My life among horses. Trying to be better and better

What makes you unhappy?

Watching television these days and see how innocent people die

What is the love of your life?

My family.

What was the best choice you ever took in life?

When I decided to become a father

What's your guilty pleasure?

I'm dying for chocolate

What do you owe your parents?

Everything. Those who know them adore them

Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?

Every Friday we make a fun dinner at home, my wife and my two children. Who better than them?

What was the worst job you ever did?

To make some money I had to work in a bar when I was studying and I was 15 years old. I didn’t like it

What was your biggest disappointment in life?

Disappointment is negative. I prefer to forget it

What would you change if you can go back into the past?

Nothing. I am very happy with my life

Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?

God makes me privileged. I don’t need change anything .

What is your biggest achievement?

To have great friends by my side

What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?

You reap what you sow

Where would you like to be right now?

I wish I could continue with the plan we had before the corona virus. We should have been at the CDI Segovia

What's your favourite scent?

The smell of my home

Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?

I don't like Halloween

To whom would you like to say sorry?

When I had to say sorry, I did it

What does love feel like for you?

True and unconditional

When are you most relaxed?

When I return home, having had a good feeling with my horses

What super power would you like to have?

To end world famine

When did you last cry, and why?

a few days ago watching TV, because of the people and the corona virus.

When were you closest to death?

Fortunately I have not experienced anything like this

How do you want to be remembered?

As a good person, a good husband, a good father. To have the respect of my colleagues