Spotlight: Fernando Cardenas Reflects on Ten Years at Tryon International
Emma Skelton for Tryon International
In recognition of Tryon International’s Ten Year Anniversary Celebration presented by Camp Electric Co., hosted July 6th as part of Saturday Night Lights presented by Stuller Power Solutions, we are spotlighting some of our loyal competitors who have been visiting the venue since 2014. One such rider is Fernando Cardenas, the owner of 3H Sporthorses, 3H Equine Hospital, and Mobile Veterinary Services. Fernando immigrated to the US from Colombia in 1987 and has lived in North Carolina since then. He has been coming to Tryon since its opening in 2014 and competed here in the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018. Fernando is always a crowd favorite whenever he enters the arena. Read more about Fernando and his favorite TIEC memories below!
Tell us about yourself!
I am a veterinarian, but my father is a horse trainer, and I've always had a passion for showing, riding, and developing horses. My family and I breed most of our horses that we're showing. Some we have bought, but mostly we've brought them up through the ranks as young horses. We're proud to say that we've been able to make most of our Grand Prix horses instead of just buying them. At heart, I am a veterinarian, so we can't show like other people who show for two or three weeks at a time. We show for one week and then go back to take care of the vet practice.
Are you an amateur or a professional?
I am an amateur. I don't coach anybody. When we come to shows, it's our personal time to just spend with the horses.
How did you get your start in riding?
I grew up riding. My dad always had us riding from a very young age. He had a riding academy in Colombia, South America, and we'd ride every day. This allowed us to ride a lot of horses. In 1987, we immigrated to the United States, first settling in western North Carolina, near Tryon, in a small town called Maiden, close to Hickory and Lincolnton. To go to vet school and still live at home to work on the farm, my family moved to Raleigh.
What are some of your biggest achievements in riding?
Make no mistake, nobody gets to the finish line alone. We get here with the support of family and team. One of my biggest achievements is showing at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and the Pan American Games in Toronto and Lima with Quincy Car. I was his only rider his entire career. To say that we raised him and competed at that level (1.65 meters) is probably my biggest achievement.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring rider?
Make yourself a good foundation. Work hard. Nobody gets ahead without hard work. Ride as many horses as possible, even if it's unpaid. Riding many horses helps you learn faster. If you're a good rider, you'll get good rides. Don't worry about the pay; focus on the rides. The money will come later.
Another piece of advice for aspiring riders is to work hard and never stop learning. Riding is a skill that requires constant practice and dedication, so it's important to put in the time and effort to improve your abilities.
Ride as many different horses as you can. Each horse has its own quirks and challenges, and by riding a variety of horses, you'll become a more versatile and well-rounded rider.
It's also crucial to stay true to yourself and your passion for riding. Don't try to be someone you're not or compare yourself to others. Focus on your own journey and goals, and remember why you love riding in the first place. Overall, the key to success as a rider is hard work, experience, and staying true to yourself. Keep pushing yourself to improve, seek out new opportunities to ride different horses, and never lose sight of your passion for the sport.
How long have you been showing at TIEC, and what was your first show there?
I've been going to FENCE since we immigrated to this country in 1987. We've been coming to the town of Tryon since then and attended the very first show at TIEC when the international ring wasn't built yet. The shows were small, and we competed jumpers in the hunter rings. I remember stabling in barn one. I've seen this place grow from the beginning!
What has been your favorite horse show memory at TIEC?
My favorite memory is when my son, Hollis, came to the show. I told him to stand with me on the podium that night. We were fortunate to place second. Calling him in and having him see me spray the champagne, as predicted, is a fond memory. Also, Mr. Bellissimo noted my celebration after a clean round, which he liked because it engaged the crowd. I'm just happy to have a clean round and to help the sport grow a bigger fan base.
What is your favorite part about coming to TIEC?
My favorite part is showing in the Grand Prix and the young horse classes. TIEC has classes where it's not as expensive to show a young horse going through the ranks. I love the Tryon schedule, which allows for flexibility in showing throughout the week or on weekends. Bringing my young horses and Grand Prix horses here is great. This horse show feels like a home show, because it's the closest quality show to me, even though it's four hours away. No crowd anywhere has been more welcoming than this one right here in Tryon!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'd like to add that we are grateful to the founders for building such a beautiful facility. Living in Raleigh, I would have to travel far without TIEC. It provides top-quality course designers, arenas, and facilities without having to go to Spruce Meadows, New York, or Florida. For someone who can only show one time a month, this is very fortunate.
To learn more about our ten year history, click here.
To make plans to join us this weekend for our Ten Year Anniversary Celebration presented by Camp Electric Co., click here.