Federico Fernandez has come through great hardship with hospital treatments after surviving one of the world’s worst air crashes – an upbeat, positive and brave sportsman whose career in showjumping was nearly cut short as a young rider.

The young and ambitious Federico was flying to a Young Riders showjumping tournament with his team mate Ruben Rodrigues in 1987 when the horse transporter plane developed an electrical fault, exploding and crashing in a fireball onto an eight-lane Mexico City motorway below.

The jet, only five minutes into the flight, teetered above city offices as the pilots struggled with the controls, but the stricken aircraft ploughed into a busy motorway crashing into 47 cars, killing 23 horses on the flight and up to 50 people on the ground.

Federico lost his friend Ruben in the air disaster – one of the worst ever recorded. Just one horse survived plus seven people including Federico.

The inferno inside the plane, with loose horses, flames and people dying is something Federico will never forget. The young rider fought his way from the crash site, removing his burning sweatshirt over his head and by some miracle stumbled onto the motorway where a passing motorist bundled him into a car. “We will never really know how many perished on the ground,” revealed Federico.

Federico woke up in a Texan hospital, having been airlifted to safety and so began the long struggle to rebuild his melted and third degree-burned face. thanks to the miracles of skin grafting and a first class plastic surgeon.

Some 50 operations later, Federico is still competing for Mexico thanks to love and support from his family and through international competitions with his two Irish-bred five-star showjumping horses Guru by Douglas and Bohemio by Mr Lord.

Injuries to the pupils of his eyes mean he cannot compete under bright spotlight at indoor shows so the great outdoor shows of the world, such as Dublin, mean the world to him.

He said: “Ruben and I were travelling to a Young Rider show in Chicago, there were other horses on board, it was a full transporter. However after take-off, we knew something was wrong. Five minutes later, the plane came down on a Mexican highway crashing into a gas station and restaurant. It was a crowded highway with a huge crash site and unknown numbers of casualties on the ground. Sadly my friend Ruben died in the accident, we had both been so looking forward to competing at the Young Rider show. Such a tragedy.”

Federico recalled: “Only one horse survived and 27 horses died. I clambered out but my jumper caught fire and I used my hands to bring it over my head which burned my face. The flight was a fireball and I remember pushing my way out through the flames and smoke and being rescued by someone in a car. After that I woke up at a hospital in Galveston Texas.”

The air accident in which the pilot and co-pilot survived, hit tanks which held 200,000 gallons of gasoline but by some miracle, there was no explosion. The plane, whilst skimming over the trees in trouble, hit some tension wires and exploded as it hit the motorway and was already on fire as survivors battled their way out.

A groom who survived, Guadalupe Pina, said there was a short circuit before the crash and the cargo area filled with sparks.

Federico’s eyes were burned so badly that even though he can see, his showjumping is curtailed to outdoor shows since he cannot bear the intensive lighting at indoor shows.

“I can’t judge a distance under high lights in an indoor. This is why I love shows like Dublin and Aachen. Both outdoors, natural light and big spacious arenas. I can only ride under digital lighting in stadiums so I can’t really compete at World Cup series.”

50 OPERATIONS

Federico has undergone more than 50 skin grafts at a specialised burns unit in Galveston, Texas, over three decades. “After the crash, my lungs had collapsed and I was in a coma for 30 days. I was six months in hospital but I have overcome my injuries because I was enveloped with so much love from friends and family and was dedicated to getting back into the sport.”

Now commuting back and forth to Europe from Mexico City, Federico is enjoying the preparation for Dublin Show with his Tyrone-bred horse Guru, formerly known as Neat Krakatoa, bred by SJI committee member Nicola Tang. Federico bought Guru after breaking a vertebrae some years ago and had to have Titanium plates fitted.

“I got a very bad fall from a young horse in Monterrey and spent three weeks in hospital and another month recovering. My doctor said I would never ride again, but I had other plans. I needed a new horse and then I found Guru in Europe at Enda Carroll’s yard. Bohemio had been a great competitor but was retired and I needed a new horse for top level.

“I tried Guru there and felt he was the right horse for me. He restored my confidence in facing the big fences; he was like a meteor and took many wins in Mexico. I named him Guru because he was my guru in getting me back into the sport at top level. We had many great shows and hopefully he will be in Dublin’s Main Arena this year again.”

Federico’s early love for Irish horses began when he found Bohemio, by the Cork thoroughbred Mr Lord who stood at Dinny Vaughan’s, on a day in The Netherlands when he was trying horses at Valkenswaard.

“I fell in love with him, he was the bravest and I had complete trust in him. We won the silver medal in the Pan Am Games at Santo Domingo and I finished 13th in the World Championships 2002 when Dermott Lennon won in Jerez.

“Bohemio competed at the World Championships in Aachen and the Athens Olympics and was Mexican National Champion. I was trying a horse at Jan Tops’s yard when a South African rider stopped off to show Jan Bohemio. He was a six-year-old and I decided to try him and bought him.”

Federico swears by his two top level Irish horses which have taken him on his best journeys globally.

“Bohemio and Guru are dear to my heart. Guru was injured last year but is back in action and was seventh at La Baule last month. We are preparing for Dublin and the World Championships later in Tryon. I missed the World Championships in Normandy some years ago after breaking my back so finding Guru after that was just amazing.”

RESPECT AND LOVE

Born and raised in Mexico City, Federico runs a business which gives loans to small and medium businesses. “I commute back and forwards to Europe and my wife Paola Amilibia competes on the Global Champions Tour. My three children, Juan Pablo (17), Eduardo (14) and Federica (12), are very supportive.”

Last year Federico rode as an individual for Mexico in Dublin, but flew to The Netherlands after the Aga Khan to see his wife compete on Saturday, then took an early flight to Dublin for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

“Horses are a part of my life, they give me stability and happiness. At all the stages in my life from the crash, I have relied on horses to keep me focused. Surviving the air crash means I see every day as a gift. I live my life to the full and have respect and love for other people.”

The Dublin Horse Show means everything to Federico who likes nothing more than to relax in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel and swig a bourbon.

“I love the spectators, they come in their hundreds and support the riders. The traditional arena, the buzz and the great courses. I feel at home in Dublin and I am so looking forward to it this year again. It will be a major prep for the Tryon World Championships.” J