José Centenera

In 1950 José Centenera entered the General Military Academy in Spain where he became a lieutenant of the cavalry. By 1957 Centenera had become a riding professor after attending an equestrian course at the School of Army Cavalry. After competing in test events at the Madrid County Club, he was selected to compete at the 1960 Roma Olympics in the equestrian eventing competition. Centenera completed the dressage element of the programme, but was disqualified in the cross-country.

After the Olympics Centenera gained another promotion in the cavalry, reaching the rank of captain in 1961, and winning the Spanish championship the following year. He continued to work in the cavalry for the next two decades and became a colonel in June 1985. Four years later Centenera was awarded with the Cross of Military Merit 1st class.