Adventure sports show us diverse ways to enjoy life, whether as a leisure activity or even as a way of life, as many athletes make a living doing what they love most. This is the case for Rodrigo Pessoa, fortunate enough to dedicate himself to equestrianism, his greatest passion.
Rodrigo Pessoa is the most talented rider of our time. His track record is impressive, so the highest expectations always surround him.
Rodrigo is a global icon and in his home country, Brazil, he is comparable to Pelé, not forgetting his father, the great Nelson Pessoa, a living legend of world equestrianism: simply a genius.
Biography
Born in Paris on 29 November 1972, he is the son of Nelson and Regina, from whom he inherited his love for animals. He divides his time between France and Belgium, though he has recently settled in the latter.
Rodrigo began with ponies, quickly demonstrating a special talent for equestrianism. He made his debut in this category at Hickstead in 1981. In 1984, still in this category, he won his first title: Belgian Champion. He repeated this achievement in 1985.
In 1988, he won the GP for Juniors in Milan and Reims (France), and in 1989, he placed 1st in the European Junior Championships—though he could not claim the title due to his Brazilian nationality.
A Star Emerges
- In 1990, he competed in the GPs of Nice and Donaueschingen. That same year, at the World Championships in Stockholm, he won the "opening class," signalling his future dominance in equestrianism. The world began to take notice of this rising star.
- In 1991, he won the GPs of Zuidlaren and Paderborn.
- In 1992, at just 19 years old, he competed in the Barcelona Olympics, finishing 9th individually.
- In 1993, he won the GPs of Wiesbaden, Paris, and Aachen, as well as the Eindhoven Derby.
- In 1994, he secured a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Argentina and also triumphed in Aachen and Aarhus.
- In 1996, teaming up with his father among others, he earned a bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics.
- In 1997, he won the GPs of Mannheim, Geesteren, and Aachen.
- In 1998, with Baloubet, he claimed the World Cup in Helsinki. That same year, with Lianos, he won the World Championship in Rome—an unprecedented feat.
- In 1999, he won the World Cup again, along with the GPs of Paris-Bercy, Berlin, and Amsterdam, and the La Baule Derby. That year, he also topped the FEI world rankings.
- In 2000, he reclaimed the World Cup in Las Vegas and won team bronze at the Sydney Olympics. Entering the final round as the individual leader and clear favourite, his stallion Baloubet hesitated at the triple, handing victory to Jeroen Dubbeldam.
- In the last World Cup (April 2001), he finished 2nd. Earlier that year, he placed 2nd in the "Mercedes Swiss Master" and "Mövenpick Classic" in Zurich and 9th in the CCF Grand Prix in Bordeaux.
- But to speak of Rodrigo is to speak of his father, Nelson Pessoa.
- Nelson Pessoa is considered by many the greatest rider of our era—or rather, of a very long era, as he began dominating high-level competition in the 1950s and only recently retired, possibly weary after so many years and reassured by his son’s brilliant success.
- Nelson recently underwent cervical spine surgery but has returned to riding, though no longer in major competitions.
- He arrived in Europe in the 1960s as a professional rider. Neco must have had immense confidence in his talent to venture into an unfamiliar continent where professionalism among competitors was rare—equestrianism was then largely military. Yet, he had already shone as a junior in Brazil and won major events in Argentina.
- Alfonso Queipo de Llano noted that when Pessoa began competing in Europe, though undeniably talented, he was notoriously slow. "You’re slower than Pessoa" became a saying to critique a sluggish round. But he soon evolved, arguably becoming the fastest.
- In 1956, he competed in the Stockholm Olympics.
- In 1961, he moved to Europe.
- In 1967, at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg (Canada), he won team gold and individual silver with the Brazilian team.
The career of Nelson Pessoa is too extensive for the internet, but key highlights include over 150 International Grand Prix wins, two team golds and one individual silver at the Pan American Games, 5th individually at the Tokyo Olympics, seven-time (record) winner of the Hamburg Derby, six-time (record) winner of the La Baule Derby, three-time winner of the Hickstead Derby, and team bronze at the Atlanta Olympics...
As a trainer, he has coached many of the world’s finest riders and was instrumental in the success of his prodigiously talented son.
At Sydney 2000, he trained the Saudi Arabian team, one of whom won individual silver. Enough said.
Nelson Pessoa has also conducted numerous clinics in Spain (currently coaching Pilar Cordón, winner of the last two editions of the High Competition League).
He was a regular at Spanish international events, notably in Madrid and Barcelona. In recent years, like Rodrigo, he has been seen at Montenmedio’s "Sunshine Tour."
Unique and Influential Equestrianism
We must emphasise that Nelson Pessoa is a sage of equestrianism—almost a revolutionary. His keen observation led to groundbreaking equestrian concepts: his seat, his saddles, his rein technique, his training methods, his balanced and distinctive style... A true maestro of the sport. Unrepeatable.
