If you don’t yet know Alberto Michán , allow us to introduce you to the Dos Equis Man of Show Jumping. And after watching him put in a crucial clear round at the third leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup North America tour and clinching a historic win for Mexico, you’re going to want to know more.
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Alberto was born in Mexico to two equestrian parents. His mother was a show jumper, and his father was a professional charro, a Mexican equivalent of a rodeo circuit rider with very traditional roots. Albert took to all forms of riding very young, but ultimately followed in his mother’s footsteps as a show jumper.
At just nine years old, Alberto was junior national champion in show jumping in his age division, and in 1996, he won a gold medal in the North American Young Rider Championship.
Despite having enough talent to turn professional right away, the most interesting show jumper in the world instead continued with his studies into college, and earned his degree in International Business at Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico. He worked a normal but successful job in the textile industry for several years, and continued show jumping as an amateur.
While still riding for the love of it, Alberto qualified for his first FEI World Cup Final in 2006, and was also part of Team Mexico at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Because seriously, winning was only his part-time job. He didn’t turn professional until 2011, but when he did, he went all in and moved to Europe to pursue his new dream life.
Just a year later, he came in fifth individually at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and cemented his place as a crucial part of Team Mexico. He is now based in Wellington, Florida, where he lives with his wife Ana Paula and his three children, Elias, Alex, and Sofia.
Our heartfelt congratulations to Roberto and his connections on being part of history, and we look forward to seeing what you accomplish next! (A big win at the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, perhaps?)
Go Jumping!