Rodrigo Pessoa is a Brazilian equestrian and show jumper. An Olympic gold-medalist in individual jumping, he is an accomplished rider backed by his 70 Grand Prix wins. He has represented Brazil at six Olympic Games. Rodrigo has just been announced by Horse Sport Ireland as the new Irish showjumping team manager.
Riding career
Pessoa first competed in 1981 at Hickstead. In 1984, he claimed his first title as champion of the pony class and again in 1985. In 1988, he competed in his first Grand Prix. He continued to 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 rider 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 three consecutive years in 1998, 1999, and 2000. He finished as the reserve champion the fourth year. In his fifth and final World Cup, Rodrigo and Baloubet du Rouet finished in third place. He later claimed the title and prize for the world's best rider and in addition to the Show Jumping Year trophy. In 2000, at the Olympic Games in Sydney, he again won the bronze team medal. In the 2004 Olympics in Athens, he won the individual silver medal, but, after 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 2010, he won the Grand Prix on a horse named HH Ashley. In 2007, Pessoa won the individual silver and team gold medals at the Pan American Games, held in his home town. In 2010, he finished fourth individually and fourth with his team of Brazil at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington KY. In 2011, he once 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.
