The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
International Jumping Riders Club
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ DIES AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT. THE IJRC BOARD IS IN SHOCK TO KNOW THAT, ONE OF ITS MEMBERS, HAS SUDDENLY DIED. ALL IJRC THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL THE FAMILIES INVOLVED.
Thirty-one year old international show jumper Andres Rodriguez, passed away at a Florida hospital after a car accident last Monday morning.
Rodriguez was at the wheel with Sophie Walker, 30, as his passenger when he lost control of his car and crashed into a concrete pillar at approximately 3:30am inside the gated Palm Beach Polo & Country Club in Wellington, FL. Exact circumstances of the accident are still unclear.
His passenger Sophie Walker was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics . She was an accomplished amateur rider and the wife of professional trainer Brian Walker. The couple operated their Woodside Farm together.
Rodriguez was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he later died.
A post on the Andre Rodriguez Official Facebook page reads:
“It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that Andres Rodriguez and his passenger Sophie Walker suffered a tragic car accident on Monday morning in Wellington, Florida. Circumstances of the accident are still unclear.
Sophie Walker passed away in the accident and despite all efforts Andres passed away a few hours later. We are lost for words. Our prayers and thoughts go to Sophie’s family, to Andres’ wife and family. RIP Chepito.”
Andres Rodriguez has been a long-term member of the IJRC, and start from last year he was part of the IJRC Boards as Liaison with South American Riders.
During the IJRC General Assembly in Aachen last August, to show how the board could better represent the voices of riders worldwide, it was suggested to ask Andres to become the liaison officer between the IJRC Direction and Riders from South America.
He agreed and he commented:
“I am very grateful to the IJRC for their trust. It is important to help the sport in regions where it is less developed, such as South America. Being lucky enough to be able to compete at some of the best shows in the world, I have a fairly good knowledge of the different levels and challenges of our sport. If we want to see show-Jumping grow in every part of the world, we need to get involved and contribute in various ways. I will try my best to be an active relay between South America and the IJRC.”
ANDRES RODRIGUES BIOGRAPHY
As a competitor, Andres's talent was recognized early on, when he won the 1996 FEI Children's Final, a competition for children around the world. He went on to enjoy success as a junior, earning Silver Medal in the 2001 South American Junior Championships.
From 2002 until 2006, Andres trained in Belgium with Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa, an opportunity that allowed him to compete throughout Europe. At the 2005 Bolivarian Games held in Bogota, Colombia, Andres was a member of the Silver Medal Team and also finished in 8th place individually. From 2006 to 2015 Andres won Grand Prix worldwide and consistently moved up the Longines Rankings.
His best achievement to date is his recent Individual Silver Medal at the 2015 Pan American Games held in Toronto and his subsequent qualification to the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
Andres is currently Nr 41 in the Longines Rankings.
Rodriguez likely would have made the Venezuelan Olympic team this year in Rio de Janiero.
In December, Rodriguez married his long-time girlfriend Clementine Goutal.
The IJRC Board is in shock to know that, one of its members, has died in a terrible incident.
All IJRC thoughts are with all the families involved and the IJRC expresses its condolences to Mr Rodriguez's family and friends.
Rodriguez was at the wheel with Sophie Walker, 30, as his passenger when he lost control of his car and crashed into a concrete pillar at approximately 3:30am inside the gated Palm Beach Polo & Country Club in Wellington, FL. Exact circumstances of the accident are still unclear.
His passenger Sophie Walker was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics . She was an accomplished amateur rider and the wife of professional trainer Brian Walker. The couple operated their Woodside Farm together.
Rodriguez was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he later died.
A post on the Andre Rodriguez Official Facebook page reads:
“It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that Andres Rodriguez and his passenger Sophie Walker suffered a tragic car accident on Monday morning in Wellington, Florida. Circumstances of the accident are still unclear.
Sophie Walker passed away in the accident and despite all efforts Andres passed away a few hours later. We are lost for words. Our prayers and thoughts go to Sophie’s family, to Andres’ wife and family. RIP Chepito.”
Andres Rodriguez has been a long-term member of the IJRC, and start from last year he was part of the IJRC Boards as Liaison with South American Riders.
During the IJRC General Assembly in Aachen last August, to show how the board could better represent the voices of riders worldwide, it was suggested to ask Andres to become the liaison officer between the IJRC Direction and Riders from South America.
He agreed and he commented:
“I am very grateful to the IJRC for their trust. It is important to help the sport in regions where it is less developed, such as South America. Being lucky enough to be able to compete at some of the best shows in the world, I have a fairly good knowledge of the different levels and challenges of our sport. If we want to see show-Jumping grow in every part of the world, we need to get involved and contribute in various ways. I will try my best to be an active relay between South America and the IJRC.”
ANDRES RODRIGUES BIOGRAPHY
As a competitor, Andres's talent was recognized early on, when he won the 1996 FEI Children's Final, a competition for children around the world. He went on to enjoy success as a junior, earning Silver Medal in the 2001 South American Junior Championships.
From 2002 until 2006, Andres trained in Belgium with Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa, an opportunity that allowed him to compete throughout Europe. At the 2005 Bolivarian Games held in Bogota, Colombia, Andres was a member of the Silver Medal Team and also finished in 8th place individually. From 2006 to 2015 Andres won Grand Prix worldwide and consistently moved up the Longines Rankings.
His best achievement to date is his recent Individual Silver Medal at the 2015 Pan American Games held in Toronto and his subsequent qualification to the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
Andres is currently Nr 41 in the Longines Rankings.
Rodriguez likely would have made the Venezuelan Olympic team this year in Rio de Janiero.
In December, Rodriguez married his long-time girlfriend Clementine Goutal.
The IJRC Board is in shock to know that, one of its members, has died in a terrible incident.
All IJRC thoughts are with all the families involved and the IJRC expresses its condolences to Mr Rodriguez's family and friends.