Rodrigo Pessoa

Pessoa first competed in 1981 at Hickstead. In 1984, he claimed his first title as champion of the pony class, again in 1985. In 1988, he competed in his first Grand Prix.

He continued to build up his triumphant career by competing and winning many Grands Prix. In 1992, he rode Special Envoy in the Olympic Games in Barcelona for Brazil, making him one of the youngest riders to compete in the Olympics at the age of 19. In 1996, he again rode in the Olympics in Atlanta and helped Brazil win the bronze medal with Loro Piana TomBoy.

In 1998, he rode Gandini Lianos to be the youngest World Champion at 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games in Rome.

Pessoa took his career further by winning the World Cup Final on Baloubet du Rouet for three consecutive years in 1998, 1999, and 2000 a feat that has to this day been unmatched. He later claimed the title and prize for the world's best rider and in addition to the Show Jumping Year trophy.He has been ranked Number 1 in the World on the FEI Rankings. In 2000, he again won the bronze team medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney. In the 2004 Olympics in Athens, he won the individual silver medal, but after the disqualification of the Irish rider Cian O'Connor and his horse Waterford Crystal for doping, he was awarded the gold medal in an award ceremony in his home town of Rio de Janeiro.

In 2007, Pessoa won the individual silver and team gold medals at the Pan American Games, held in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro.

Pessoa attracted controversy in 2008 when he was suspended by the FEI after his horse Rufus failed a doping test at the 2008 Olympic games. Pessoa was fined 2,000 Swiss francs and was suspended from international competitions for four and a half months.[1][2][3]

In 2010, he finished fourth individually and fourth with his team of Brazil at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY. In 2011, he again mounted the podium at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, with Team Brazil to collect a Team Silver Medal on HH Ashley.

He was also chosen to be Brazil's flag bearer at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[4]

• Tinkabell-2006 Grey, Mare KWPN
• HH Ashley – 2000, Chestnut, Mare, Hanoverian
• HH Rebozo – 2000, Bay, Stallion, Mexican Sport Horse
• HH Palouchin de Ligny – 2000, Chestnut, Gelding, (SF)
• HH Let's Fly – 1999, Bay, Gelding, Hanoverian
• HH Rufus – 1998, Bay, Gelding, (KWPN)
• HH Oasis – Bay, Gelding, (SF). Died in 2007
• Baloubet du Rouet – 1989, Chestnut, Stallion, (SF)
• Loro Piana TomBoy – 1985, Bay, Gelding, (ISH)
• Special Envoy – 1980, Chestnut, Gelding, (ISH)
• Gandini Lianos – 1987, Bay, Gelding, (Holst)
• Stardust – 1991, Bay, Mare, (ISH)

• Rodrigo Pessoa website

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