From Copa de Naciones Glory to La Yeguada El Espinar: Fernando Sarasola’s Enduring Legacy
Fernando Sarasola Marulanda stands as one of Spain’s most reliable indicate jumping athletes, having competed in 25 Nations Cup competitions during his career. His most successful period came between 1999 and 2002, when he helped secure four victories for the Spanish team.
Throughout those triumphant years, Sarasola consistently partnered with “Nikita de Laubry,” a mare he described as one of the most important horses in his stable. Daughter of “Skippy II,” Nikita de Laubry was not merely an occasional mount but a true partner in his most successful competitive era.
The first of these four victories came in 1999 at the CSIO Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. Ending a six-year drought for Spanish show jumping, that win featured a team comprising Raffy Latham, Fernando Fourcade, Pilar Cordón (making her debut) and Sarasola himself.
Two years later, in 2001, Spain returned to the winner’s circle at Las Mestas in Gijón. There, Sarasola teamed with Fernando Fourcade, Cristino Torres, and Ricardo Jurado. The victory confirmed Spain could maintain its competitive level and once again contend for top honors.
The year 2002 marked the culmination of this golden period with two Nations Cup triumphs. First, at La Baule, Sarasola competed alongside Raffy Latham, Cristino Torres, and Ricardo Jurado. Later that same year, at Gijón’s Las Mestas venue – serving as the final preparation ahead of the World Equestrian Games in Jerez – the team consisted of Raffy Latham, Luis Jesús Escobar, Ricardo Jurado, and Fernando Sarasola.
A notable statistic underscores the consistency of this era: among all riders who participated in those four victories, only Sarasola and his horse Nikita de Laubry were present for every single triumph. Raffy Latham (riding “Bretzel”) and Ricardo Jurado (aboard “Gysmo”) each competed in three of the wins, while Cristino Torres and Fernando Fourcade participated in two. Debutant Pilar Cordón and Luis Jesús Escobar each contributed to one victory.
Such sustained excellence required more than just competition success. Elite horses demand proper rest, recovery, and rehabilitation between events. This is where Fernando Sarasola’s La Yeguada El Espinar has played a vital role for many years.
Located in the Segovian Sierra, La Yeguada El Espinar provides expansive pastures, a straightforward routine, and ample time for recovery. Numerous elite horses have rested and rehabilitated at this facility before returning to competition or transitioning into retirement.
Even today, long after Sarasola hung up his competitive breeches, La Yeguada El Espinar remains a destination for horse owners seeking exactly what the facility offers: peaceful countryside, tranquility, and careful management. When competition seasons end, when horses need recuperation, or when it’s simply time to reduce training intensity, the Segovian farm continues to serve its purpose.
La Yeguada El Espinar represents Fernando Sarasola’s ongoing connection to the equestrian world – not as an active competitor, but as a custodian of equine welfare and a preserver of the traditions that made his competitive success possible.
For readers interested in following current developments in Spanish show jumping or learning more about equestrian facilities dedicated to horse recovery and retirement, official federation websites and reputable equestrian publications provide regularly updated information.
As the show jumping calendar progresses, fans can glance forward to upcoming Nations Cup competitions where modern generations of horse-and-rider partnerships will seek to emulate the consistency and success exemplified by Fernando Sarasola and Nikita de Laubry during Spain’s golden era from 1999 to 2002.
What are your memories of Spain’s show jumping triumphs in the early 2000s? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and consider sharing this article with fellow equestrian enthusiasts who appreciate the dedication behind competitive success.
