Born in Manlleu (Barcelona), the rider and trainer Santi Serra Campsknown as the ‘horse whisperer’, has reached the pinnacle of his profession, being recognized worldwide for his ability to communicate with animals. His extraordinary skills have led him to travel the world teaching them, and also to write a book, The Animal Whispereryes.
Passionate about music, now he is encouraged to combine his job as an equine trainer with the composition of songs… most of them also dedicated to his inseparable companions, with whom he will inaugurate a new edition of Madrid Horse Weekthe most important equestrian event in the world on November 28. “It makes me happy to be able to open the show at one of the most important fairs at the national and international level right now,” says the Catalan.
“It makes me happy to be able to open the show at one of the most important fairs at the national and international level right now”
© @santiserracamps– What new features will you present compared to previous years and how many horses will participate in the show?
-This year we offer a totally different show, a very nice show with ten horses, falcons, an American eagle, dogs and some other surprises, although the main thing remains the freedom of the horses and their well-being.
-People recognize you for your free-range training method, especially because you respect and dignify horses. Is that what you mainly want to convey?
-That is. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dedicate myself to the show. The first thing I wanted to do, when I started, is to teach people that it is not necessary to resort to abuse, that with play you can get whatever you want from animals.
“My horses communicate, without speaking, more and better than some humans”
-I’ve seen some of your shows and the horses only need to talk, right?
-Yes, yes…they are great! My horses communicate, without speaking, more and better than some humans.
© carlos.p.lopez-Do you talk to them a lot?
-I talk to them a lot! I always say that I have not invented anything to communicate with horses. I dedicated myself to observing them to try to speak their same language. And that’s what we do.
-How do they obey you so much? What magic words do you say to them?
-The important thing, as I tell you, is to speak your own language. Many people, especially in this world, have invented things to teach horses. What I have done, however, is study them in freedom. I went to the United States to observe wild mustangs and learned that communication was easier if I spoke like them. They are herd animals, where there is a leader, an alpha mother who does different exercises and body movements so that the others obey her. We do the same so that they realize that, when they are with us, they do not have to fear anything, but what they have to do is enjoy the moment.
-What have horses taught you? Have you given more to them or have they given more to you?
-I think we have been on par. I am happy because we live, work and do shows with them. And I know that my horses are happy at home, in the shows and everywhere they go with me. The most important thing for me is that they are happy. They, in turn, have taught me to live as I live and to be the artist that I am, even in music, which I started a year ago. I already have three songs and many of the lyrics are inspired by them.
© @santiserracamps-Come on, yours is not a job, but a dream come true.
-Completely. All dreams come true and mine is a dream come true.
– Falcons, dogs and horses, are they the perfect combination?
-No, but I want people to see that, with the work we are doing, we can get them to coexist. In the wild, they wouldn’t be together, they wouldn’t adapt. However, with our effort and work, they are happy and do not fear anything. We have brought together horses, birds of prey and dogs, because they are animals that I love, but I could also have included a lion because we completely trust me.
“My family says I have a gift, but the truth is that I don’t notice it”
-Twenty years ago, more or less, you realized that you had a special communication with animals. What is the basis for the fact that you have greater ease than others in living and communicating with animals?
-My family says I have a gift, but the truth is that I don’t notice it. What I do is always be with them and try to talk like another horse. I always say that the key is not to want to turn the horse into a human, but rather, on the contrary, that the man transforms into a horse and thinks like him.
-Everyone who rides a horse, which is difficult, has had blows, have you too?
-Yeah. But the bad accidents I have had have always been my fault. Horses don’t want to hurt you.
© @santiserracamps-As in large families, there is always a child who stands out; Sercam Shows is like a big family, is there a horse, dog or bird more special to you?
-There is always some. And for me the most special was Nika, who left this year. She was a special and very good mare. It cost me a lot, but later she was named one of the five best mares in show business. When he went out on the court, he made people enjoy it. I have had a pretty bad time, because my horses are not horses, they are family, but it was her turn because she was a grandma. I’m left with the fact that he has had a very good life. In December, she published a new song, “A galope,” an urban ranchera dedicated to her.
-Is music also a vocation for you?
-It has been my whole life, because I have always been singing and also writing, which I love. That’s why I decided to publish my book, The Animal Whisperer. With music, on the other hand, I was somewhat afraid of what people would say if I took the step. But I think the time has come, because God has put very important artist friends on my path worldwide. They weren’t the ones who encouraged me to record, because I already was, but it was the sign that the time had come for me to start music.
-At the moment, he has three songs recorded: The Good Life, Desubikao and at the party. Will they be played at your show?
-Yes, yes, they will ring.
“I would be delighted for Infanta Elena and her daughter, Victoria de Marichalar, to come to me show
-What do you want to convey with them?
-Music is an art to bring happiness and joy to people. And that is what I aim with my songs, to transmit the good vibes that animals have transmitted to me.
– You are having a very busy year, with many shows.
-We finished 2023 with 59 shows and this year is also being crazy. And in January of next year we start the world tour again. We will start in Holland and then we will go to China, Dubai, Qatar and Brazil. In the summer we will return to Spain, where I have always been treated very well. All over the world it is said that no one is a prophet in his own country, but, look, I feel very loved in mine.
© Félix Valiente/ HELLO!-Among your friends are many well-known faces such as Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, Infanta Elena and her daughter, Victoria de Marichalar, who starred in an exceptional report for ¡HOLA! on his farm. Will they attend your show at Madrid Horse Week?
-Well, the truth is that I don’t know, but I would be delighted if Infanta Elena and her daughter, Victoriacome to me show.
-Finishing, Sergi. Tell me how many times have you seen the movie The man who whispered to the horsesby Robert Redford?
-Ha, ha, ha… I have seen mine many times, Brother Horse.