Our History
Our History
Our History
I am David Usón, co-founder of this unique project that combines elite sports with high-level academics—an essential combination in today’s highly competitive world for young athletes.
Since the age of 13 and throughout my school and university years, I had to balance my studies with competitive sports, training, travel, and more.
After completing my university education, I dedicated several years to competing in different European countries and further developing myself as both a rider and a coach, training with some of the best coaches in the world.
In terms of sports achievements, I won medals in the Spanish Championships in various categories and was part of the Spanish national team on multiple occasions and in different divisions.
As a coach, I obtained the highest certification awarded by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (Superior Sports Technician in Equestrianism), which is globally recognized and qualifies me as an international trainer.
In 2002, I married Malen Jaume, a three-time Spanish runner-up and a member of the Spanish national team on multiple occasions.
Combining our experience in competition, my knowledge as a coach, and the vision for a new project, we founded an elite training center for horses and riders in Mallorca: CLUB HÍPICO LA GUBÍA. Established in 2005, it is officially recognized by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation with the highest distinction (4 stirrups).
After 20 years of training young riders and achieving major successes with our competition team, we realized the immense challenge our students face in balancing elite-level sports with strong academic performance. This insight led to the creation of a new training concept where sporting excellence can be combined with academic success: MALLORCA INTERNATIONAL YOUNG RIDERS ACADEMY.
I am David Usón, co-founder of this unique project that combines elite sports with high-level academics—an essential combination in today’s highly competitive world for young athletes.
Since the age of 13 and throughout my school and university years, I had to balance my studies with competitive sports, training, travel, and more.
After completing my university education, I dedicated several years to competing in different European countries and further developing myself as both a rider and a coach, training with some of the best coaches in the world.
In terms of sports achievements, I won medals in the Spanish Championships in various categories and was part of the Spanish national team on multiple occasions and in different divisions.
As a coach, I obtained the highest certification awarded by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (Superior Sports Technician in Equestrianism), which is globally recognized and qualifies me as an international trainer.
In 2002, I married Malen Jaume, a three-time Spanish runner-up and a member of the Spanish national team on multiple occasions.
Combining our experience in competition, my knowledge as a coach, and the vision for a new project, we founded an elite training center for horses and riders in Mallorca: CLUB HÍPICO LA GUBÍA. Established in 2005, it is officially recognized by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation with the highest distinction (4 stirrups).
After 20 years of training young riders and achieving major successes with our competition team, we realized the immense challenge our students face in balancing elite-level sports with strong academic performance. This insight led to the creation of a new training concept where sporting excellence can be combined with academic success: MALLORCA INTERNATIONAL YOUNG RIDERS ACADEMY.
I am David Usón, co-founder of this unique project that combines elite sports with high-level academics—an essential combination in today’s highly competitive world for young athletes.
Since the age of 13 and throughout my school and university years, I had to balance my studies with competitive sports, training, travel, and more.
After completing my university education, I dedicated several years to competing in different European countries and further developing myself as both a rider and a coach, training with some of the best coaches in the world.
In terms of sports achievements, I won medals in the Spanish Championships in various categories and was part of the Spanish national team on multiple occasions and in different divisions.
As a coach, I obtained the highest certification awarded by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (Superior Sports Technician in Equestrianism), which is globally recognized and qualifies me as an international trainer.
In 2002, I married Malen Jaume, a three-time Spanish runner-up and a member of the Spanish national team on multiple occasions.
Combining our experience in competition, my knowledge as a coach, and the vision for a new project, we founded an elite training center for horses and riders in Mallorca: CLUB HÍPICO LA GUBÍA. Established in 2005, it is officially recognized by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation with the highest distinction (4 stirrups).
After 20 years of training young riders and achieving major successes with our competition team, we realized the immense challenge our students face in balancing elite-level sports with strong academic performance. This insight led to the creation of a new training concept where sporting excellence can be combined with academic success: MALLORCA INTERNATIONAL YOUNG RIDERS ACADEMY.
The Academy
Our Vision
The Mallorca International Young Riders Academy was founded with the vision to support young athletes in achieving excellence in both sport and academics. At 15, I became the Spanish Youth Champion in show jumping, which led to my inclusion in the Spanish national team and the start of my international career.
Balancing elite sports with academics was a difficult challenge, but through determination, I succeeded in both, earning a degree in Biological Sciences and achieving multiple victories in top-level competitions. Recognizing that this struggle was common among young athletes, I established the Academy to offer a unique program that combines world-class equestrian training with a tailored academic curriculum, helping riders excel in both their sport and education.
For years, I’ve believed that it’s possible to become a top professional in sport without giving up studies. My own experience proves this, though few have achieved it.
I’ve realized that a high-performance center is needed to develop young professionals from an early age, combined with a custom study program to maintain academic excellence, without missing daily training, physical and mental preparation, or competitions across Europe.
Our Vision
For years, I’ve believed that it’s possible to become a top professional in sport without giving up studies. My own experience proves this, though few have achieved it.
I’ve realized that a high-performance center is needed to develop young professionals from an early age, combined with a custom study program to maintain academic excellence, without missing daily training, physical and mental preparation, or competitions across Europe.
For years, I’ve believed that it’s possible to become a top professional in sport without giving up studies. My own experience proves this, though few have achieved it.
I’ve realized that a high-performance center is needed to develop young professionals from an early age, combined with a custom study program to maintain academic excellence, without missing daily training, physical and mental preparation, or competitions across Europe.
Why in Spain?
Why in Spain?
Europe is currently the world center of the equestrian discipline of show jumping. It is where all the teams from countries belonging to the American, Asian and African continents make their base to train and compete with the world elite. Who wants to be at the top in this discipline, has to come to Europe, temporarily or permanently, but the world elite of this sport moves in Europe. In addition, Spain has become in recent years the headquarters of the best European international circuits and many top-level competitions, which are attended by the best riders in the world.
Europe is currently the world center of the equestrian discipline of show jumping. It is where all the teams from countries belonging to the American, Asian and African continents make their base to train and compete with the world elite. Who wants to be at the top in this discipline, has to come to Europe, temporarily or permanently, but the world elite of this sport moves in Europe. In addition, Spain has become in recent years the headquarters of the best European international circuits and many top-level competitions, which are attended by the best riders in the world.
Europe is currently the world center of the equestrian discipline of show jumping. It is where all the teams from countries belonging to the American, Asian and African continents make their base to train and compete with the world elite. Who wants to be at the top in this discipline, has to come to Europe, temporarily or permanently, but the world elite of this sport moves in Europe. In addition, Spain has become in recent years the headquarters of the best European international circuits and many top-level competitions, which are attended by the best riders in the world.
Our Location
Our Location
Our Location
Our training center is strategically located in one of the best areas of Mallorca. With unparalleled views, the center is situated on the edge of the Sierra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO landscape heritage site since 2011. Additionally, we are 15 minutes from the sea and 20 minutes from the center of Palma de Mallorca and the airport.
The 300 days of sunshine per year, its gastronomy, the airport’s connections to the entire world, and its cosmopolitan and globalized atmosphere make Mallorca one of the best places to develop a project of this nature, where the quality of life and services is essential to the success of our goal: TO CREATE YOUNG ELITE ATHLETES WITH STRONG VALUES WHO CAN MAINTAIN A HIGH ACADEMIC LEVEL AND BE HAPPY DURING THE PROCESS.
Palma de Mallorca’s airport is one of the most important in Spain. It handles more than 200,000 direct flights annually to over 130 destinations on different continents, making it ideal for the travel needs of our students for all competitions and sporting events.
Contact US
Got questions or want more details about our academy? We’re here to help! Reach out to us and learn how we can support your journey in combining top-level show jumping with quality education.
David Usón & Malen Jaume, Founders of Mallorca International Young Riders Academy
Contact Info
Location
Carretera de Sóller, Km 13,8
07110 Bunyola Mallorca (Islas Baleares)
SPAIN
Contact
Contact : +34 627 42 09 08
Email: david@mallorcariders.academy
Questions? We are here to help
Contact Us
Got questions or want more details about our academy? We’re here to help! Reach out to us and learn how we can support your journey in combining top-level show jumping with quality education.
David Usón & Malen Jaume, Founders of Mallorca International Young Riders Academy
Contact Info
Location
Carretera de Sóller, Km 13,8
07110 Bunyola Mallorca (Islas Baleares)
SPAIN
Contact
Contact : +34 627 42 09 08
Email: david@mallorcariders.academy
Questions? We are here to help
Contact US
Got questions or want more details about our academy? We’re here to help! Reach out to us and learn how we can support your journey in combining top-level show jumping with quality education.
David Usón & Malen Jaume, Founders of Mallorca International Young Riders Academy
Contact Info
Location
Carretera de Sóller, Km 13,8
07110 Bunyola Mallorca (Islas Baleares)
SPAIN
Contact
Contact : +34 627 42 09 08
Email: david@mallorcariders.academy