Raul Roa Vadillo’s professional career is a testament to dedication, mastery, and a profound respect for the principles of classical horsemanship. His journey in the equestrian world began to take shape at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions: the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Between 2004 and 2008, Raul immersed himself in a rigorous training program, honing his skills in dressage, *Haute École*, and preparation for high-level competition. This period not only provided him with an impeccable technical foundation and the opportunity to compete—ranging from Level 4 up to Grand Prix—but also shaped his core philosophy, characterized by a calm, precise approach grounded in biomechanical principles.

 

     Raul worked as a professional rider from 2002 to 2017. Throughout this extensive period, he collaborated with prominent stud farms that defined the early stages of his career. At Yeguada Centurión, he began by focusing on the development and initial training of young horses—a crucial phase for understanding equine psychology and long-term development. Later, in 2012, he brought his talents to Yeguada Ymas, where he rode and developed both promising young prospects and active competition horses. Once established as an independent trainer in Seville, he managed the development of clients' horses and trained riders of various levels, while also distinguishing himself on the national circuit; he competed for three seasons in qualifying events for young horses and in regional competitions up to the Intermediate II level.

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     Driven by a constant desire for growth, Raul expanded his horizons internationally, bringing his expertise to equestrian centers across diverse cultures. In Shanghai, China, he worked as a rider, trainer, and instructor at Helilan Equestrian—a multicultural environment where he refined his ability to tailor training programs to riders from widely varied backgrounds. His international career also included a training stint in Alberta, Canada, with 4L Andalusians, focusing on preparing Pure Spanish Breed (P.R.E.) horses for sale and competition, as well as an intensive training period in Melbourne, Australia, with Australian team rider Mary Hanna; this experience allowed him to master high-performance systems and the rigorous competitive standards of the global circuit. Raul’s arrival in the United States marked the beginning of a chapter defined by competitive success and professional recognition. From 2018 to 2023, he worked as a trainer and instructor at the prestigious Tempel Lipizzans center in Chicago, Illinois. There, he was responsible for training Lipizzaner horses from their initial stages through to the execution of advanced FEI movements, while also instructing students of all ages in strict adherence to the principles of classical horsemanship. His skill was evident both in the exhibition arena—where he helped choreograph public performances—and in competition; notably, he was crowned Regional Champion (2022) in the *Kür Freestyle* class in Waterloo, Michigan, and successfully competed up to the *Intermediate I* level with the stallion Maestoso Alfaya—a horse that, under his training, was named the best Lipizzaner in its category for three consecutive years.

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     Raul moved to Wellington, Florida, widely regarded as the dressage capital of the world. In 2025, he joined Sons of the Wind during the intense winter season, dedicating himself to riding and training Lusitano horses for high-level exhibitions and specialized sales programs. Subsequently, he joined Helgstrand USA, one of the world’s most influential organizations for the training and sale of sport horses. In this elite, high-performance environment, Raul developed top-tier competition horses and collaborated closely with experienced trainers, ensuring that the horses' development always adhered to the principles of classical training.

 

     Currently, Raul’s work in Wellington encompasses two high-performance areas. On one hand, he runs his own independent business based at IDA Farms, where he manages the daily training of clients' horses. On the other, he serves as a dressage trainer at Tierra Contenta, working alongside the team of U.S. international competitor Ben Ebeling; this role places him at the forefront of modern equestrian sport, focusing on developing horses for the highest levels of international competition.

 

     His expertise has led him to conduct highly sought-after clinics in various regions based in the United States, focusing on competitive equestrian sport while maintaining a solid training foundation rooted in classical principles. He is also the creator, co-host, and presenter of *Pinceladas Ecuestres*, a specialized podcast where he interviews renowned riders and industry professionals, promoting the values ​​of classical horsemanship to a global Spanish-speaking audience.

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     Throughout this extensive career, Raúl’s riding has been shaped by the direct influence of great masters of the discipline. His equestrian foundation draws from training with Spanish legends such as Rafael Soto and Ignacio Ramblas, as well as ongoing work with figures of the caliber of Claudio Castilla, José Manuel Lucena, Carlos Nieto, and Tiago Ernesto. His proven ability to collaborate with top-tier professionals—such as Vitor Silva, Lars Petersen, and Ben Ebeling—combined with his bilingual fluency in Spanish and English, defines him today as a well-rounded professional who strikes a perfect balance between the purity of classical tradition and the demands of modern sport.