Federico Fernández Senderos (MEX) who won the newly created Pivo FEI Inspire Award, in his hometown of Mexico City. As the name suggests, the Award has been designed to showcase the incredible spirit and determination of individuals who serve as role models and show that anything is possible.

Photo: Federico Fernández Senderos, Pivo FEI Inspire Award. Copyright of FEI / Liz Gregg.

FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines 2023, Mexico City (MEX). Federico Fernández Senderos, Pivo FEI Inspire Award. Copyright of FEI / Liz Gregg.

In 1987 at the age of 19, Federico was one of just three people to survive a plane crash in which more than 50 people were killed. He was travelling with his fellow teammates and their horses to the FEI North American Young Riders’ Championships, held that year in Wadsworth, Illinois. It has been reported that Frederico went back into the plane to help save the horses, where he sustained multiple burns and injury to his entire body. After months of intensive recovery and with a new take on life, Federico returned to competition and has gone on to become one of Mexico’s most well-known Jumping athletes.

Federico has participated in seven FEI World Equestrian Games™, three Olympic Games, and won a silver medal, together with team Mexico, at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo (DOM) in 2003. He has also competed at countless CSIO5* Longines FEI Nations Cup™ competitions, with wins in Xalapa (MEX) and Dublin (IRL), to name a few.

FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines 2023, Mexico City (MEX). Federico Fernández Senderos, Pivo FEI Inspire (MEX), Mimi Gochman, Longines FEI Rising StarEmma Uusi-Simola (USA), Emma Uusi-Simola, Cavalor FEI Best Grooms (FIN). Copyright of FEI / Liz Gregg.

For Federico, family is his motivation, entrepreneurship his drive, and horses his passion. He is known, respected and admired by many for his philosophy of letting go of what can’t be changed, focusing on making life meaningful and always expecting that the best is yet to come.

Receiving the award from CEO of Pivo Ken Kim, Federico said:“For me to receive the PIVO FEI Inspire Award is an honour. I should be the one to say thank you for all that equestrian has done for me because it has been so important in my life.

“I’m going out every morning with passion and I try to make every day special and happy for myself and for the people whose lives I touch daily. I really think that horses are the healthiest way of taking a step back into real nature and into the basics of life. It is about interacting with the animal and not with technology or anything else. Getting on a horse heals every physical and mental pain and it’s just an indescribable moment when you’re on top of a horse.”