Ok, 2020 has been a challenge to say the very least. With our country struggling to balance health, economics and education there has been very little good news in the main stream media over the last few months. That said, for our equestrian community, I would like to say, can we just take a minute and focus on something positive?

Yes? Well then let’s take a look at the miracle that is Juan Matute Guimon! Juan, a 22-year-old rider from Spain is a beloved figure in our equestrian community. He has had a successful international career in dressage beginning in 2013 and continued forward winning Kur gold at the 2015 Junior Rider’s Championships. 

His senior international accomplishments include competing on the Spanish team during the 2018 World Equestrian Games and is currently short listed with Quantico for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. He had previously qualified Don Diego for the 2020 World Cup Dressage in Vegas which has sadly been canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Juan collapsed after the end of a ride on May 5, 2020 from a brain bleed after suffering from severe headaches for about a week that were thought to be possibly related to allergies. He was air lifted to Madrid and underwent two surgeries within 3 days to relieve pressure and repair the damage from arteriovenous malformation.

After being woken from an induced coma at the end of May, he was released from the hospital at the beginning of July and after rehab he was able to sit in the saddle again on July 27!

From Juan’s social media accounts – 

“It feels absolutely amazing to be back where I belong,” he said. “I’m so fortunate and I feel blessed for being able to share my passion with my family.”

“It feels absolutely AMAZING to be back where I belong. I’m sooo fortunate and I feel blessed for being able to share my passion with my family… thank you mom and dad for bringing out your warrior side and proving to me time and time again that EVERYTHING is possible when you BELIEVE and you have FAITH. I have a message for those of you that are struggling with something within your own life or a family member around you is having a difficult time. BELIEVE in the Lord and have FAITH that EVERYTHING will be alright. The Lord is GOOD and He has a plan for every single one of us.”

Continued good health and we are happy that such a positive young man has been given a renewed chance at life!