Off the Clock with Sergio Alvarez Moya: From Childhood Dreams to a Return to the Global Stage

As the best-qualified rider for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez, Sergio Alvarez Moya traded the warm-up arena for the iconic sands of Pampelonne Beach to reflect on a career that has spanned more than three decades at the top of the sport.

Relaxed, reflective and quietly passionate, the Spanish rider opened up about where it all began, the highs and lows that define a life in show jumping, and why competing on the Longines Global Champions Tour still means so much.

At 41 years old, Alvarez Moya has spent the majority of his life in the saddle.

"I'm Sergio Alvarez Moya. I'm 41 years old and I've been doing this for over 30 years. I'm lucky enough to call my biggest hobby my job - that's what I am."

His love affair with horses started at an early age, sparked by family and a fascination with animals.

"I always loved animals in general, and big animals were pretty cool to me. I went for the first time with my uncle and my dad. My uncle had a riding school and I started there a couple of days later."

The feeling of sitting on a horse for the very first time remains etched in his memory.

"I started show jumping at seven years old. I still remember the first day I went on a horse and then a couple of days later we went on a country ride. It was amazing."

Recalling that childhood excitement, he added: "The first thing I got was all the horses in front of me - that feeling. I couldn't control my eyes because I was actually afraid to, but I couldn't hold it anymore. I had to let it go. That was the best."

Those early experiences would ultimately evolve into a career filled with major victories and appearances on the world's biggest stages.

One of his standout memories came in Berlin, where he enjoyed a memorable victory at the home show of close friend and fellow rider Marcus Ehning.

"Berlin was a great time. Marcus - you know, his home show. We're good friends. Anytime I need something, I ask him. He's an unbelievable jockey and we're lucky to have him with us."

With a smile, Sergio added: "This time he lost against me, and I hope it's not the last time."

Yet for all the glamour and success, Alvarez Moya is quick to acknowledge the realities of elite sport.

"I think the most important thing in our sport is that, like any other, we have ups and downs."

He continued: "Not only ourselves - the horse needs to experience that. The horse has to feel good on that day. I have to feel good and sometimes everything works and then you're able to win."

"But the most important thing is to stay quiet and keep going again."

Having been part of the Longines Global Champions Tour for many years, Alvarez Moya has also experienced periods away from the circuit.

"It's been long since the first time I've been on the Global Tour for sure. I did three years in a row and then I've been out since 2021 because I was missing a bit of horsepower."

He spoke candidly about the demands of competing at the highest level.

"Those shows are great, but you need horsepower and you need to be good. Otherwise, it makes no sense to be here."

Now back on Tour with an exciting string of horses, the signs are encouraging.

"I thought I could be ready maybe a touch early for my horses, but they are responding well."

"We have some better rounds and others, but in general we're going to keep improving, definitely."

As the sun dipped behind Pampelonne Beach and thoughts turned back towards Grand Prix competition, one thing became abundantly clear - Sergio Alvarez Moya's passion for the sport remains as strong as ever.

More than thirty years after first stepping into a riding school with his father and uncle, the feeling that first captured his imagination hasn't faded.

For a rider who has experienced the very highest highs and weathered the inevitable setbacks along the way, perhaps that enduring love of the horse is what continues to drive him forward.

Off the clock, Sergio Alvarez Moya is reflective, grounded and grateful. But when the helmet goes on and the clock starts ticking, the competitor within is very much alive.