Esteban Benítez: A Promise, a Mare, and a Dream Come True

Esteban Benítez: A Promise, a Mare, and a Dream Come True. 

From the sunny warmth of Cádiz to the bitter chill of northern Germany, Spanish eventing rider Esteban Benítez has carved a path defined by resilience, intuition, and unwavering belief in his bond with horses. Now an Olympian and founder of his own growing equestrian business, Benítez is building more than just a career — he’s creating a legacy.

From Cádiz to Germany: Weathering the Change

Moving from Spain to Germany was no small adjustment. For Benítez, the weather was the first and most jarring challenge.

“The biggest challenge was obviously the weather,” he recalls. “I moved in January and it was 20°C in Cádiz to -14°C in the north of Germany — it was a really cold winter, it was never again the same.”

But the cold brought with it something invaluable: a new depth of understanding.

“One of the first and most important things I learnt here has been understanding deeply the body of the horse, the functionality and the biomechanics,” he says. “What kind of/how much training a horse needs depending on its body… the body of the horse tells so many things that we need to know how to read.”

Building His Own Path: A Business with Heart

After years of working under top trainers in Germany, Benítez felt it was time to trust his instincts — and go independent.

“I realised I had a good system of training, combining all I learnt here in Germany in my years as an employer and all the feel I naturally had,” he explains. One key piece of advice stayed with him: “Once a trainer told me, ‘Trust your feeling, believe in it and don’t let anyone change it.’ So I did.”

Now running his own stable, Benítez continues to refine his craft, balancing the demands of riding, coaching, and managing a growing business. “Of course I learn things every day, but the feeling and the way of understanding the horses stays the same.”

The Road to Paris 2024: More Than Just a Destination

For Benítez, qualifying and competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics wasn’t just about the event — it was about the fight to get there.

“For me the Olympic Games was not only being there in Paris but the whole way — the previous year fighting to get good results to get the right amount of points… and taking care of the mare so she stays fit,” he says.

The road was emotional and mentally taxing. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions and I take away the control I gained over my mind… I really had to learn how to control my mind, because I fought so many years for it and the last months were hard, especially with only one horse. But we made it, we completed our first Olympics and came back home safe and sound.”

A Special Bond: Esteban & Utrera AA 35

Benítez’s partnership with Utrera AA 35, his mare of seven years, is at the heart of his success.

“We spent so many hours together, I had the feeling she wanted to make it,” he says. “I got her when she was 5 and I promised I will take her to the Olympic Games in Paris. Seven years of work with one goal — every day. She kind of knew it and fought really a lot to get there. She really did unbelievable things to achieve that.”

A Turning Point: Injury and Resilience

In 2018, an injury sidelined Benítez from riding, but ultimately it shifted his entire outlook.

“I’m kind of someone who thinks that everything happens for a reason,” he reflects. “The injury reset all my life — suddenly I couldn’t ride and I had months to restructure all my life. Back then not, but now I know all the positive things that happened after it. It was really meant to be.”

Eventing and Adrenaline: Why He Loves It

Despite the risks, Benítez is drawn to eventing’s unique demands and energy.

“I like the adrenaline of going cross country, the nerves and the planning of different strategies for the courses,” he says. His key to mental preparation? “Visualising — that works really good.”

From Rider to Mentor: Shaping the Future

Coaching young riders is not just a side project for Benítez — it’s central to his philosophy.

“I would say I know how important it is to believe in yourself and have self-confidence,” he explains. “Normally the students with more self-confidence are the ones getting further. I had many with more talent but very bad mindset who ended up giving up or being frustrated.”

He’s clear on the keys to success in the sport: “We need to be brave, resilient, believe in ourselves and never give up. Those are really the keys.”

The Hamburg Derby: A Dream Realised

This year, Benítez made his debut at the Hamburg Derby, a monumental milestone in his jumping career.

“That was pure a mental game for me,” he says. “I needed to believe I was able to do something that I never did before in a show — only at home. To do the first clear round of the day in that course felt unreal.”

The moment was especially meaningful. “The first and last time I saw the Derby live was in 2016. A friend of mine (Jose Antonio Garcia Diana) took me there to watch it. I didn’t know about it. I was extremely impressed… I really had the feeling that one day I will ride there and I said to myself: the next time I come here is to ride. Nine years later it happened — just magic.”

Looking Ahead: LA 2028 and Building an Academy

With Paris behind him, Benítez is already planning for the Los Angeles Olympic Games and expanding his career into the jumping world.

“Hamburg Derby has been a big boost to it and I was lucky to get some nice jumping horses to keep doing big classes,” he says.

At the same time, he’s passionate about growing his business and mentoring riders from around the world.

“Whoever wants to learn to be professional and learn about managing a stable, training and preparing horses for big shows and learn the business — they come to me,” he says. “Here in Germany, the people discover how really the sport is and how to take care of the horses properly for the high level.”

And his long-term goal? “Soon I want to create an academy. We are in a good way. Already many riders have come and learnt from me and my team and afterwards found jobs for them in Germany. We are good references and we are definitely building up a big family here in the north of Germany.”

Final Words

Esteban Benítez is not only an Olympian and accomplished rider — he’s a builder of dreams. Whether it’s through his bond with a horse, his resilience through injury, or his commitment to the next generation, one thing is clear: he rides with heart, and everything he does — he does for the love of the sport.

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