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Claudio CASTILLA RUIZ

Claudio CASTILLA RUIZ, Spanish Dressage athlete.

Name Claudio CASTILLA RUIZ
FEI ID 10040382
Gender Male
Date of Birth 30/05/1983
Competing for Spain - ESP
Registration Dressage 2025
Last update 19/11/2024
FEI Database




Dressage 70x70
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport? He first tried riding at age five. He took up equestrian seriously at age 15 at Club Hipico Chapin in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Why this sport? He was encouraged to take up the sport by a dressage instructor called Juan Rubio, although he initially wanted to get involved in equestrian jumping. "I bought a horse that was not fit for jumping, which is what I wanted. When your family is not involved with horses you have to pay the price of inexperience, which then gives you the experience you need."
General Interest
Hobbies Spending time with his family, playing football, playing padel tennis. (larioja.com, 25 Aug 2019)
Sporting philosophy / motto "The rider can only be satisfied when the horse loves his job." (topiberian.com, 31 Jan 2017)
Awards and honours In 2019 he was presented with a Sportsmanship Award by the city council of Jerez in Spain. (Instagram profile, 15 Oct 2019; Facebook page, 15 Oct 2019)
Other information OLYMPIC DISAPPOINTMENTS He pulled out of the Spanish team that was due to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo because his horse Alcaide was not in good enough condition. He had also withdrawn from the Spanish Olympic team in 2012 because his mount Jade de Mv passed away shortly before the Games. "Sport is demanding and tough, but I try never to lose my smile. Now I want to look forward. Luckily I have a large family and many horses are waiting for me in the stable for which I have great goals." (diariodejerez.es, 16 Jul 2021; eurodressage.com, 12 Jul 2021) OTHER ROLES In 2018 he was named a member of the dressage commission of the Spanish Equestrian Federation [RFHE]. (viveladoma.com, 02 Nov 2018)
Further Personal Information
Family Wife Isabel Vidrie, two children
Occupation Athlete, Coach, Horse Trainer
Languages English, Spanish