Juan Matute Guimon in “Critical Condition” in Madrid Hospital–Update
4 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Juan Matute Guimon in “Critical Condition” in Madrid Hospital–Update
May 5, 2020
By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
Juan Matute Guimon, at 22 years old a prospect for Spain’s Olympic team, is in “critical condition” in a Madrid hospital Tuesday night after collapsing with serious bleeding in the brain.
Juan collapsed into unconsciousness after riding Tuesday and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Madrid, his father, Juan Matute Azpitarte, told dressage-news.com.
“Juan was suffering headaches for the last week, but we thought it was an allergy,” said his father, a three-time Olympian for Spain who moved to Wellington with his family more than a decade ago.
“After Juan finished riding today he said he felt bad and lost consciousness. He was sent by helicopter to the hospital.
“He has very serious bleeding in the brain and is in very critical condition.
“As a positive young man he is fighting to win the big competition of his life.
“Please pray for him.”
Maria, his mother, was in Madrid with her husband and son.
Juan Matute Guimon is one of the world’s most prominent youth international dressage riders.
Juan left his family home in Wellington two years ago to go to college in Madrid and immerse himself in developing his riding and training skills in Europe.
Juan had returned to Wellington’s Global Dressage Festival this year to compete Don Diego aiming for a start in the World Cup Final in Las Vegas that was canceled before its scheduled date of mid-April.
He was the second highest ranked Spanish rider on the world standings with Quantico, 14 years old, and third highest with Don Diego, aged 17.
He rode Quantico on the Spanish team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon that earned his nation a start at the Olympics in Tokyo in July.
