Juan Matute, Jr., Florida-based 20-Year-Old, Named to Spain’s Team for World Equestrian Games

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Juan Matute, Jr. on Quantico Ymas leaving the competition arena at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany after posting a solid result in the CDI4* Grand Prix that earned the pair a place on Spain’s team for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina. © 2018 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

MADRID, July 23, 2018–Juan Matute, Jr., the successful Florida-based youth rider, on Monday was named to Spain’s four-member team for the World Equestrian Games in September.

Juan was named to ride Quantico de Ymas on what will be his first senior championship team though he has been successful in European youth championships, from juniors through to Under-25.

The team announced by the Spanish federation is:

Claudio Castilla, 35, and Alcaide, 13-year-old Spanish stallion
Beatriz Ferrer-Salat,  52, and Delgado, 17-year-old Westfalen gelding
Severo Jurado,  29 (he’ll be 30 two days before WEG opens) and Deep Impact, 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding
Juan Matute, Jr., 20, and Quantico de Ymas, 12-year-old gelding

Juan, the son of Spanish three-time Olympian Juan Matute, moved with his family to Wellington, Florida more than a decade ago. He has divided his time between competing in Florida and in Europe as he seeks to further his equestrian career. He began online college this school year.

Juan became an American citizen earlier this year but continues to ride under the Spanish flag.

Dressage at the world championships in Tryon, North Carolina starts Sept. 12 with team, individual and freestyle medals up for grabs.

The World Games were created in 1990 and staged once every four years. The Tryon WEG will be the second time they have been held in the United States and are the championships of dressage, driving, endurance, evening, jumping, reining, vaulting and para equestrian.

Being named to the WEG team may mean that he will not be able to compete in the European Under-25 Championships this year. He did so in the inaugural year of 2016 and again in 2017 winning individual bronze.

An estimated quarter-billion dollars has been spent developing the Tryon International Equestrian Center and at least another $50 million to host the Games over two weeks that are projected to draw about 500,000 visitors from around the world.