In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, British showjumper Robert Whitaker kick-starts his World Cup campaign with a scorching victory, and Team Ireland prove invincible in Spain. We also catch up with a speedy mare who lives up to her name “In The Air” while Rodrigo Pessoa reveals the secret to his coming-of-age success with superstar gelding Major Tom.

Read on for our weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: Vermento goes full pelt in Helsinki

Robert Whitaker and the mighty stallion Vermento proved invincible in Helsinki, Finland, landing the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier after an action-packed 13-way decider.

The agile duo followed in the footsteps of a masterful performance by three-time World Cup Final victor Steve Guerdat with Is-Minka, who took an early lead clear in 37.56sec.

Robert and the 11-year-old Argento stallion, bred by his father John Whitaker and owned by Caroline and Stephen Blatchford, pivoted round the tightest bends on Jorge Guilherme’s track, flying home in 36.84sec to take the lead. Robert then had to endure an anxious wait as French rider Kevin Staut (Dialou Blue BS) looked to have gained the advantage with two nippy leaps through the double, but Kevin stopped the clock in 37.11sec for his third runner-up spot in a row.

“I prefer to be second three times than taking a risk and winning one time and then maybe having to miss the next competition,” Kevin said.

Robert, who last won the World Cup qualifier in Helsinki in 2019 with Catwalk IV, said Vermento had been “looking ahead to every fence”.

“Vermento was amazing,” he said. “I think our round yesterday helped him, when we had a fence down. He is a horse that doesn’t want to make mistakes, so I think that made him extra sharp today. He gave me the chance to guide him to victory.”

The previous day’s Helsinki Grand Trophy went the way of Swiss star Martin Fuchs riding L&L Upgrade. Martin also shared the six-bar spoils riding Commissar Pezi alongside Ireland’s Dierdre Reilly (Kafka VD Heffinck) and My Relander for Estonia on Ipsylon.

• Helsinki International Horse Show results

Irish team victory in Spain

The CSIO3* Nations Cup headlined this week’s action on the Andalucia October Tour in Spain where the Irish team triumphed from a mighty field of 18 countries. The quartet of Mikey Pender (HHS Los Angeles), Jason Foley on Jacksonville Eurohill, Seamus Hughes Kennedy with Esi Rocky and Cian O’Connor riding Iron Man completed on a two-round score of nine, streets ahead of nearest rivals Belgium and USA. Great Britain narrowly missed the cut for round two, finishing in ninth.

Mikey Pender had enjoyed a run of success at this week’s show while Cian O’Connor went on to finish second in the grand prix with Bentley De Sury to winner Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui (Oscar The Homage).

• Andalucia October Tour results

Ground control proves the key to Major Tom with “newfound relaxation and maturity”

Finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, we head to the US, where Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom topped the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of Washington with a dazzling display. Drawn first of five in the jump-off, the Brazilian Olympic champion conjured up a coming-of-age performance from the 11-year-old gelding by Vagabond De La Pomme.

“Going first is always a bit difficult, but on the other hand, you make your plan and you try to stick to it, and I think I did that pretty well,” said Rodrigo, who attributed this success to a newfound level of relaxation and maturity for Major Tom, who was produced in Great Britain during his early years by Alex Hempleman followed by Ireland’s Michael Duffy.

“He always showed a lot of quality, but he’s very, very sensitive, and so we’ve taken extra time with him and didn’t want to push him as a nine-year-old. We really took it easy. The jump was always there, but his mind was always going 200mph.

“Now he’s taking his time and taking deep breaths everywhere – I can really rely on his quality. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever had, but he really needed that time to get in his own space and be more comfortable.”

Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza claimed a win on her debut at the Washington International. She and In The Air sped to glory in the $32,000 two-phase presented by Nissan of Bowie.

“The two phase actually worked in my favour today because I rode her in the costume class yesterday,” said Jessica of “Fly”, an 11-year-old Air Jordan x Indoctro mare. “She went fast, so it was nice to get the first seven or eight jumps just getting her back and not rushing. Then getting to do the last few jumps fast is always fun with her.”

“She’s incredible,” added Jessica, who also owns Fly’s half-brother. “She’s so athletic; she’s like a little cat when she jumps. She’s been great because I can use her for all of the speed classes and she can be used for a big class. She’s very useful to me and so careful and wonderful.”

Ireland’s Conor Swail also upped the pace to claim Friday’s $63,000 FEI speed final on veteran campaigner Count Me In, aka Crosby.

“He’s very careful and a serial winner, so it’s very nice to know that if I give him a good opportunity to do everything right, he normally repays me,” said Conor.

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That Olympic feeling never gets old. At Paris 2024 Rodrigo Pessoa is participating in his eighth Games in Olympic showjumping, having won three medals including individual gold in Athens 2004, but he says “every one is special”.

“Maybe this one is extra special,” Rodrigo said after jumping clear on Major Tom to qualify for the individual final. “The backdrop, the atmosphere, not one empty seat – you have to pinch yourself.”

The 51-year-old had not contested an individual Olympic competition since London 2012, but the lure is still strong.

“This is fun!” he says. “I’ve been to a lot of shows in my life and many Olympic Games, but the Olympics is always different,” he says. “That’s why it’s the biggest thing in the sport for many athletes. You see [tennis player] Djokovic won everything in the sport in his life: 24 grand slams, $200million of prize money and he’s crying because he won a gold medal last night. That’s the Olympic effect, that you don’t get anywhere else.”

Rodrigo had extra motivation to perform well today after Brazil was ruled out of the team contest due to team-mate Pedro Veniss’ elimination. This meant it was Major Tom’s first experience of the buzzy Versailles arena.

“[The elimination] was such a big disappointment, so I really wanted to do well,” he says. “The horse was incredible, it’s his first time in this atmosphere, and he always gets a bit fired up before he starts, but once he started he was foot perfect everywhere. He was listening to everything I asked of him and answering all the questions.

“It was a really pleasurable 75 seconds, and with the atmosphere and backdrop, it is something that I will remember for a long time.”

Rodrigo’s eighth Olympic appearance puts him one ahead of his father Nelson. At Barcelona 1992, they both competed – Nelson was the oldest athlete at 56, Rodgrigo the youngest at 19. Now 88 years old, Nelson was on site in Versailles and watching not just the showjumping. but the eventing, too.

“My dad is here, my family and my kids,” Rodrigo smiles, “the whole cheering squad.”

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The new three-to-a-team format has been described as “carnage” by riders in the Olympic showjumping team competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ireland, Israel and Japan were all ruled out owing to, in the first two cases, a horse fall eliminating that combination, and in Japan’s case, the second and third riders withdrawing.

Under the old format, where four horses and riders jumped, teams could have dropped the elimination, or worst score, and continued.

“I think the three-horse rule is actually a very bad rule, no riders are in favour of it,” said Harry Charles after his round on Romeo 88 today (6 August).

“It’s totally unfair on the rider who actually makes a mistake. We all knew coming here that there was going to be a bit of carnage with this rule and you’ve seen it today.”

Shane Sweetnam, whose ride Alejandro fell at fence nine to rule Ireland out of contention, agreed.

“Obviously with this new format everything counts, so it’s very hard for the team,” he said. “We are out now, and that’s the negativity of having just a three-man team, that there’s no drop score. These things happen as you’ve seen – a couple of other teams are falling out of bed as well. It’s hard to follow it really and see if it can be the future of our sport.”

H&H reported extensively on the controversy around the new format, which FEI president Ingmar de Vos said was “really important for the future of our sport if we are to increase universality in accordance with the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020”.

Rodrigo Pessoa said although the format caused no issues for his team; Brazil made it through to the final in eighth place, he does not agree with it.

“You saw things that happen, when the whole country is eliminated,” he said. “It played in our favour, but I don’t think it’s the right thing.”

Rodrigo added that he and Carlito’s Way will not jump in the final; the new format means combinations can be swapped in, which he said is a positive.

“But there are things that have to be changed for the next Olympics, definitely,” he said.

McLain Ward, whose five-fault round on Contagious helped the US team qualify for the final, described the Olympic team showjumping format as “a little complicated and challenging”.

“I’m very thankful we have a course-designer like Santiago [Varela] who really has been, in my opinion, brilliant,” he said.

“There’s no drop score, no room for error. There’s no room for a mild mishap. I’m not a fan of three-people teams; we’ve already seen this evening some really unfortunate problems.

“There are too many variables in a sport with a horse, an animal, and a rider to make it great sport in this format; my opinion.

“I think that’s something to discuss another day. We’ve got to focus on the task at hand tomorrow and then try to be in the mix.”

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Brazil’s 2004 Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa talks to Pippa Roome about giving up his Irish performance management role to return to the competitive fray and target Tokyo

“I hate it. I hate it. From day one, I hated it.” Rodrigo Pessoa’s sudden intensity takes me by surprise. Until now, sitting chatting in the VIP area at the Palm Beach Masters in Florida, having just been third in a class, he has seemed a laid-back kind of guy.

But when I ask the Brazilian’s thoughts on the new Olympic format of three riders to a team, which will be used in Tokyo next year, I can see the passion which has made him one of the best riders in the world – world and Olympic champion, three-time winner of the World Cup Final and more.

“Our sport is not like any other. Things happen with horses. The drop score has proven over and over again that it’s the perfect format for a team competition,” he says.

“You’ll have drama in the new format, because if anything happens you’re out, but after four years, something happens to someone else [on your team] and there goes your Games. It’s much harder on selectors because there’s no margin for error.

“Maybe one weaker team will be lucky and get three mediocre scores [and claim a medal]. And because some German or American or Brit slips in a corner or stumbles, they’ll be out. I predict that we’ll have major upsets and it’ll just be a shame.”

Part of the reason for dropping teams to three was to bring in more nations from around the world, but after the well-documented issues with qualification for Tokyo, Rodrigo does not believe that was wise.

“We saw some countries had such an easy way to qualify and teams from Europe had a very hard way – it’s totally not even and the qualification process is totally wrecked,” he says. “We brought more flags and brought in people who don’t have the level to compete. That’s just levelling the sport through the bottom and that’s never a good way to do it.”

A renewed focus

Rodrigi, 47, has a renewed focus on the Olympics as a rider now, having given up being Irish high performance manager last autumn to pursue his own competitive ambitions.

He took on the role in 2016, disillusioned after missing out on selection for the Rio Games.

“The disappointment of not participating in my home country was really painful,” he says. “The job came at a perfect time when I really need to do something else and focus on something other than riding.”

Success came quickly, with Ireland’s team gold at the 2017 Europeans – the nation’s first senior championship team medal since 2001.

But then it was a hard slog to achieve Olympic qualification, with a couple of missed chances. The Irish finally picked up their ticket when they won the 2019 Nations Cup final in Barcelona, their final chance to secure a slot.

“It gave a fantastic boost to get gold the first year, but then we took the long road to the qualification. It went down to the wire going to Barcelona, but in the end we did it and did it in style, so that’s what matters,” says Rodrigo.

What did he try to change in the Irish programme during his tenure?

“They were all talented riders and individually had a lot of success, but when it came to championships, they could never pull it together for some reason,” he says. “We tried to create a fantastic team atmosphere and to give them tips for better focus at shows – to try to focus on one thing at a time.”

Team managers in showjumping are up against a constant battle in persuading riders and owners to jump top horses for their nation rather than prioritise lucrative Global Champions Tour prize pots.

“For sure, nowadays with the purses offered, it’s difficult to get people to commit, but Ireland is special for that – the boys want to ride in the green jacket, which is fantastic for the chef d’equipe,” says Rodrigo.

“We had some clashes of calendar, but that’s part of it and I understand their obligations as well to make money. Obviously, in a job like that, you can’t please everyone all the time, but I think we did the best we could to give everybody a fair chance.”

Rodrigo thinks he will return to team management in the future.

“I did enjoy it. The human aspect is special, to get to know everybody much deeper than you know them at shows. It was interesting,” he reflects.

The decision to step down came because Rodrigo was offered the chance to ride for an outstanding owner, Jim Clark of Artemis Farms. He had bought two horses for the Brazilian to ride at the start of 2019 and then decided to move four more from Markus and Meredith Beerbaum to Rodrigo for 2020.

Rodrigo explains: “I had the opportunity of Mr Clark wanting to back another rider. He said, ‘If you want to do it, let’s go.’ I can always go back to the coaching, but the riding was an opportunity I could not give up.

“If you want to do something well, you have to focus on one thing. When I was training the Irish, I was still riding, but just to keep in shape and my calendar was very secondary – the number one priority was them. You can’t do the two things well.”

He believes the experienced Michael Blake is “the perfect person” to have taken over from him as Irish high performance manager.

“I wish them the best and hope it goes well,” he says.

Target Tokyo

Rodrigo’s Olympic hopeful is the 11-year-old Quality FZ. His previous riders include Jur Vrieling and Eric Lamaze and he already had five-star experience when Rodrigo took him on early last year, which was what Rodrigo and the Clarks needed to target Tokyo on what was originally such a short time frame.

“We didn’t have time to get something young and produce it,” says Rodrigo. “It’s difficult to buy horses of that quality and level, so you can’t be too picky. You have to be able to adapt as well. He’s a sweet horse, careful with a lot of power, but he’s still a little bit tense and not 100% in different environments. But he has a lot of potential.”

Rodrigo and his wife Alexa moved to Connecticut three years ago. They have two children – Sophia, nine, and Luciana, three – and Rodrigo also has a 15-year-old daughter Cecilia with his ex-wife Keri Potter. It was through their children of a similar age that Rodrigo met the Clarks. Cecilia does not ride, but Sophia and Luciana do.

“We don’t push them. They have a pony and they ride a bit, so we’ll see what happens,” says Rodrigo.

He usually jumps the Florida circuit for three months in the spring, enjoying the opportunity to be based in one place and “get out of the cold for these three months”.

Shows in Europe should have followed from May onwards this year, until coronavirus interrupted plans.

“I’ve been lucky to go to six Olympic Games and, if you have a horse that’s able to do it, that’s where you want to go because that’s the biggest thing you can go to,” says Rodrigo. “But I don’t want to go just to compete, just to put in scores. I want to go if I can help the team do well. If I feel the horse is not up to par, I won’t force myself on – I’ll be reasonable. That’s where experience comes into play. You are more sensible when you have done this for a while.”

But when he has good horses, Rodrigo says “the thrill of competition is just fantastic”.

“I enjoy that and being able to come out and compete. It’s just the best feeling in the world.”

Rodrigo on…

His first championship horse, Special Envoy

“He put me on the map. He taught me to be competitive, forgave my mistakes. We were able to win a lot of grands prix and he took me to the Olympics and World Equestrian Games when I was a teenager, even though it was tough for him because he didn’t really have the power to do it.”

His three-time World Cup final winner Baloubet Du Rouet

“He was the horse of a lifetime and a freak of nature, a horse who had everything you want from a showjumper. He had the power, was careful, intelligent.

“I don’t expect that I’ll come across another one like that. Everyone who’s had a horse like that – whether it’s Shutterfly, Hickstead or Ratina Z – you always think that’s the best horse of all time. We’re just fortunate to be able to cross paths with horses like that.”

Growing up with three-time Hickstead Derby winner Nelson Pessoa as his father

“His being a professional facilitated a lot of things. I already had a structure in place. But with that came the pressure and expectation – and the critics, which is always difficult. But I was able to take it and make the situation as encouraging as possible. I was fortunate to be in that position.

“My father takes more of a back seat now, but he’s still passionate about the sport. We talk every day about the horses.”

His idol, Ludger Beerbaum

“He was the person I chased from the beginning because, as a 19-year-old, I saw him win the Olympics after breaking his rein. I thought, ‘Jeez, that takes a lot of determination.’ He was the man to beat in that moment, the bullseye for me. Even so, he was always generous with all his support and advice; he was a great person to idolise.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 23 April 2020

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This week (15-19 April), we were due to be dazzled by the world’s best showjumpers contesting the 2020 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA. Sadly, the worldwide pandemic has brought the sport to a standstill, so instead we decided to dip into the archives to remember some of the legendary partnerships to have won multiple World Cup crowns in the competition’s 41-year history.

1. Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet Du Rouet: winners in 1998, 1999 and 2000, placed in 2001, 2002 and 2003

Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa remains the only rider to secure a consecutive winning hat-trick of World Cups on the same horse, achieving the feat with the great chestnut stallion Baloubet Du Rouet in Helsinki, Gothenburg and then Las Vegas in 2000. They came within a whisker of making it four-in-a-row in 2001 when finishing second, going on to claim two more podium spots together.

“He was a horse of a lifetime and a freak of nature,” Rodrigo told H&H. “He had everything – the power, the health, he was careful and intelligent. We as riders are just fortunate to be able to cross paths with horses like that.”

2. Hugo Simon: winner in 1979 on Gladstone, then in 1996 and 1997 on E.T

Representing Austria, Hugo Simon won the inaugural World Cup in Gothenburg in 1979 and then, after a 17-year hiatus, returned for back-to-back victories in 1996 and 1997 with the renowned E.T. His third win came about on a return to the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg when Hugo was 55.

3. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly: winners in 2005, 2008 and 2009, runner-up in 2004 (pictured)

American-born Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum represents Germany and she is the only female rider to win three World Cups. After narrowly missing out on the crown in 2004, Meredith made amends with her first victory in Las Vegas the following year with her phenomenal partner Shutterfly. The pair’s hat-trick came in the same city four years later, where the then world number one rider led throughout all three legs — Shutterfly didn’t touch a pole throughout — en route to claiming the title. “That was my most perfect victory,” said Meredith at the time. She describes her beloved “Petey” as “the most perfect horse in the world. He only became great when he entered the ring. There he knew he had ability and he became confident,” she says.

4. Marcus Ehning: winner in 2003 with Anka, 2006 on Sandro Boy and again in 2010 riding Noltes Kuchengirl and Plot Blue

Esteemed German horseman Marcus Ehning’s first World Cup success came in the 25^th running of the World Cup, held in Las Vegas, the day before his 29^th birthday.

“I never thought I would win,” he said. “If you think about it too much, it can hurt, so I tried not to overthink it but it really couldn’t have turned out any better.”

Less than a fence separated the top three riders going in to the final round but another faultless performance with the 12-year-old mare Anka claimed the top spot. In 2010 in Geneva he became one of the elite group of riders, now standing at five, who have won three World Cups.

5. Steve Guerdat: winner in 2015 riding Albfuehren’s Paille, 2016 on Corbinian and again in 2019 with Alamo; he finished second in 2013 on the great Nino Des Buissonnets

The reigning World Cup title-holder Steve Guerdat of Switzerland misses the chance to claim a historic fourth win in Vegas this year but still rules as one of the most successful riders in the competition’s history.

“The first one was amazing, the second one was amazing, the third one… I don’t know what to say,” said an emotional Steve after claiming his hat-trick in Gothenburg last year. “I just love being a part of this championship.”

6. John Whitaker and Milton: champions in 1990 and 1991, runners-up in 1989 and again alongside Grannusch in 1993. John went on to finish second again in 1997.

The legendary pairing of John Whitaker and the great Milton, one of the sport’s most popular combinations, couldn’t have come closer to claiming a World Cup hat-trick, but the achievement just eluded them. The duo’s victories came in Dortmund and Gothenburg, with the latter being one of the mighty grey gelding’s final major successes.

“He was a brilliant jumper and he just felt special from the very first fence I jumped on him,” John told H&H. “I’ve been very spoilt with some of my horses but he was so careful — when you went up in the air on Milton you felt as though you were never going to come down.”

7. Ian Millar and Big Ben: title-holders in 1988 and 1989, runners-up in 1986

In this Who’s Who of showjumping legends, the Canadian Ian Millar and his great partner Big Ben join John Whitaker as a rider to have come agonisingly close to a World Cup hat-trick. The pair gained three top 10 finishes between 1985 and 1987 before taking top spot in Gothenburg in 1988 and again in Tampa, Florida, the following year. The Belgian-bred Big Ben, who captured the hearts of showjumping fans around the world, goes down in World Cup history as the first horse to win the title back-to-back.

Article continues below…

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8. Ludger Beerbaum: winner in 1993, with 12 top six finishes between 1992 and 2014

Despite only having one World Cup Final victory to his name, German legend Ludger Beerbaum is one of the most consistent performers in the competition, qualifying regularly over an astounding 30 years. His crowning moment came in Gothenburg in 1993 when he and the phenomenal mare Ratina Z triumphed.

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Rodrigo Pessoa is to step down as senior performance director of Ireland’s showjumping team in order to pursue a place jumping for Brazil at Tokyo 2020.

Joe Reynolds, chairman of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), said they recognised that representing your country at the Olympics was one of the “highest honours in sport” and wished Rodrigo “the very best” in his campaign.

“From an Irish perspective, his decision to seek a position on the Brazilian team, which will compete against Team Ireland in Tokyo, makes it impossible for him to continue as senior high performance jumping director,” he said.

Chairman of HSI’s senior high performance jumping committee Gerry Mullins paid tribute to Rodrigo’s expert guidance of the Irish squad, under which they have both qualified for the Olympics and secured a brilliant win the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona last month.

“He has played an historic part in the management of the team, was an integral part in the success of the team, and has been a valued and respected colleague during his term. We are all incredibly grateful to him for that,” he said.

Ronan Murphy, HSI’s chief executive added that the governing body was “genuinely disappointed” that Rodrigo would not be able to continue in his role.

“As a six-time Olympian, Rodrigo had an undeniable record to offer his home nation. Opportunities like that don’t come up very often and we wish him very well,” he said.

The Brazilian’s consultancy agreement expires at the end of November and HSI will shortly begin its process to appoint a replacement, whose tenure will include taking Ireland through the Tokyo games.

Rodrigo said he had enjoyed his three years as Ireland’s team manager and was “proud” to have helped them attain Olympic qualification.

“I will always be available as a support to the team in future,” he said. “I would like to thank the entire high performance committee and all the team at HSI. Last but not least, I have to thank all the riders and owners for their participation.”

Continued below…

‘Beyond proud’: Ireland wins the Nations Cup Final — and Olympic qualification

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In a statement on his website, Rodrigo explained that he left with a “feeling of fulfillment” having accomplished his primary mission to qualify for the games.

“On the road to qualification we picked up a European title that had eluded us for over 15 years,” he said. “I am very proud that we used more than 30 Irish riders in Nations Cups over the last three years. That is something not many countries can say they have done.”

He added that while he was not sure who his successor would be, he genuinely wished them “all the luck in the world”.

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Ireland’s showjumpers have won the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final on Sunday (6 October) and with it earned a hard-fought ticket to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The Irish quartet of Peter Moloney (Chianti’s Champion), Paul O’Shea (Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu), Darragh Kenny (Balou Du Reventon) and Cian O’Connor (PSG Final) rose to the challenge — and brushed off the huge weight of pressure on their shoulders — to come home with a team total of just 1 penalty.

Ireland, crucially, finished ahead of Italy and Colombia with whom they were battling for Olympic qualification, so with that in the bag celebrations had already begun in earnest before the competition was over. The last time Ireland sent a showjumping team to an Olympic Games was Athens in 2004.

But with only one rider left to jump, the overall winner of the Nations Cup Final still hung in the balance. A clear from Gregory Wathelet on MJT Nevados S would ensure victory for Belgium but, riding down the final line, pressure told and a shock run-out from the horse handed the baton to Ireland. It marked a momentous day in Irish showjumping history.

“We had a clear objective to get the Olympic ticket here this week and all the riders fought really hard as it can all be over on the first day in this competition. It was mission accomplished,” said Rodrigo Pessoa, whose contract as Ireland’s team manager is coming to a close.

“We expected a tough fight from Italy and Colombia for that Olympic qualification, but as it went through the competition, it turned out we were up against the big teams, too – and won. They did it in style so hats off to our riders. I’m beyond delighted and really proud.”

Anchorman Cian O’ Connor who, like his team-mates was wearing an orange armband for injured showjumper Kevin Babington, added: “You don’t come here just to qualify — we came here to win.”

Belgium ended up in the runner-up position with Sweden finishing third.

Don’t miss the full report from the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 10 October.

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Irish showjumping manager Rodrigo Pessoa has spoken of his hopes for a medal and an “elusive” Olympic qualification after naming his World Equestrian Games team.

Cian O’Connor and his 2017 European team gold and individual bronze-winning ride Good Luck spearhead the team of four.

The 12-year-old stallion, owned by Adena Springs and Ronnoco Jump Ltd, also jumped for Ireland under Cian at the 2015 Europeans.

They are joined by Darragh Kenny on a new ride, Babalou 41. The 13-year-old chestnut mare, who is owned by Jack Snyder, was previously campaigned by US rider Todd Minikus before Darragh took over the reins in February this year.

Their top results together include wins at the St Tropez leg of the Global Champions Tour, a CSI3* grand prix victory in Kentucky and fourth place in Aachen’s grand prix last month.

Paul O’Shea is named with the 11-year-old gelding Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu, owned by Skara Glen Stables, Whipstick Farm, P Hurter and P Agnew.

The pair have been a stalwart of Ireland’s Nations Cup teams this year, representing their country in Dublin, Falsterbo, La Baule, Samorin and Florida. They also won the grand prix at the WEG test event in October 2017 and have form on the international circuit.

Completing the team is Shane Sweetnam with his European team gold medal winner Chaqui Z, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC. The 12-year-old stallion has had a number of high placings in CSI5*s across the world this year.

Article continues below…

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“These are the four team members that will represent Ireland at the World Equestrian Games where we will be seeking the Olympic qualification that has eluded us for many years and a medal as well,” said Rodrigo.

“I have faith in this team and we are ready to battle with the best teams in the world.”

The fifth squad member will be announced closer to the Games.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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The showjumping world has said goodbye to one its biggest talents, following the news that Baloubet du Rouet has died at the age of 28.

The Selle Francais son of Galoubet A x Starter was bred in France by Louis Fardin and originally produced through young horse classes in France by Nelson Pessoa, with whom he also competed at the 1998 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Rome, finishing 11th. But it was at the end of that year that his son Rodrigo took the reins, and the pair were launched into the spotlight.

They scored a hat-trick of World Cup victories, reigning from 1998-2000 — the only horse-rider combination to achieve such a feat — and narrowly missing out on a fourth by finishing second in 2001.

We take a look back at the star in action…

In his career, Baloubet du Rouet competed in 263 top level competitions, finishing in the first five in 68% of them and winning 24% of them

Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa on his way to clinching the individual Olympic gold medal in Athens with Baloubet du Rouet in 2004. He also took an Olympic team bronze medal in Sydney in 2000

“He arrived as a wild five year old kid but showed a lot of potential on the very first jump," said Rodrigo, about the horse with whom he found Olympic glory. "The start was not easy but he was so intelligent that he understood everything very quickly. He grew up to become one of the greatest horses in history"

Baloubet du Rouet and Rodrigo Pessoa on their way to winning the fifth FEI World Top 10 final in Geneva in 2005

Baloubet du Rouet in action in the Aachen grand prix in 2006. Among the grand prix trophies with his name on it are Bordeaux, Geneva and Paris

Baloubet du Rouet retired from the ring in 2006 at the phenomenal age of 17 but has gone on to be one of the most influential and successful sires in the world, named the leading sire of jumping horses by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) in 2012 and 2013

Baloubet du Rouet's genius lives on through the likes of Ludger Beerbaum’s Chaman and Jur Vrieling's VDL Bubalu

"Talent, beauty, energy, power, skill and elegance made him the best,” says Rodrigo. Since 2010 Baloubet de Rouet had lived with his owners Nicole and Diego Coutinho Pereira in Portugal

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The Irish squad will do “everything in our power” to bring home a medal from the European Showjumping Championships in Gothenburg (23-27 August).

Team manager Rodrigo Pessoa has named his four combinations and reserve for the championships, his first major competition since he took the job in March.

The team, sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange, is:

Bertram Allen with Noel Delahunty/Connaught Bloodstock’s Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve

Cian O’Connor with Adena Springs and Ronnoco Jump Ltd’s Good Luck

Denis Lynch with his own and Thomas Straumann’s All Star 5

Shane Sweetnam with his own and Spy Coast Farm’s Chaqui Z

The reserve is Mark McAuley with Eva Lundin’s Miebello

Rodrigo said he believes his riders are ready to challenge for a medal.

“As of today, I think this is the best team that Ireland has to offer,” he said.

“In the view of Horse Sport Ireland’s high performance jumping committee and on paper, this is a team that has the potential to fight for a team medal and maybe an individual medal as well.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have tried to instil with our riders transparency and good communication. I hope the riders and owners all appreciate that. Now, for the next few weeks, our goal is to keep the horses healthy and to get ready for our first big championships together.”

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Rodrigo thanked all the owners involved in this year’s Nations Cup series, adding: “They have made their horses available and we really appreciate that.

“Myself and the entire team and backroom staff will do everything in our power to bring back a medal. We will face tough competition, but we are ready.”

Don’t miss the 17 August edition of H&H for a full European Championships preview.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.

The week on twitter

Rodrigo Pessoa as you have never seen him before

We bet Emily Llwellyn was popular with those in the queue behind her —the things people will do for a Big Mac…

It’s great to hear that Lissa Green has recovered from her awful fall and we wish her luck for the rest of the eventing season

We think comedian Jack Whitehall has possibly one of the best named horses in history

Nicki Strong has hit the nail on the head here

This is what happened when firefighter Lottie Sutcliffe left her H&H mag unattended at work

We hear you Amy Symons

Ruth Mealey’s foal sadly had other ideas on how to look beautiful

Just looking at Tim Stockdale’s impressive dismount makes us wince

If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?

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What do Katy Perry, Catwoman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have in common? Well, on Saturday night (28 September), they were all showjumping at the LA Masters in California.

The trio — AKA Rodrigo Pessoa, Laura Kraut and Kent Farrington — were members of 11 teams who took part in a Pro-Am relay jumping competition, raising over $350,000 for charity.

Laura Kraut (Catwoman) and Hannah Selleck (Posion Ivy) were the winning combination against the clock in a hilarious evening of fancy dress antics.

“It’s not my usual attire, but everything stayed put!” said Hannah.

Laura Kraut added: “This was more about charity and having fun than the jumping competition and I’m thrilled for [charity] Just World International — this was my opportunity to help raise money for it.”

Also in action were USA riders Beezie Madden, Will Simpson, Jessica Springsteen and Jane Richard-Phillips of Switzerland.

Hollywood celebrities gathered to watch the fundraising gala evening at the LA Conference Center, including Bo Derek, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and Bill Gates, whose daughter Jennifer teamed up with Richard Spooner as a “Fast and Furious” themed pairing, while The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco joined Paris Sellon as “Cowboy and Indian”.

But the biggest laughs of the night came for Brazilian showjumper Rodrigo Pessoa, who channelled his inner Katy Perry and gave his cupcake bra a cheeky squeeze as he jumped every fence.

The charities to benefit from the night included Thrive Animal Rescue, Autism Speaks, Ride On, Mustard Seed Ranch and Baby2Baby.

You can read the full report from the LA Masters in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (2 October 2014)

12 things you didn’t know about showjumper Marcus Ehning

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Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos won the Longines Global Champions Tour of Estoril, Portugal, with one of only two triple clears. It was a lucrative weekend for the world number one, who also took top spot in the 1.55m jump-off class the previous day.

British supporters had plenty to cheer about on Saturday night (12 July) as Nick Skelton and Big Star made a dazzling return to the podium, taking third behind Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa (Status FRH).

“There were fantastic riders and horses in the jump-off and it’s a big advantage coming near the end, so I was able to see Rodrigo and Nick,” said Scott, who collected a €100,000 top prize to add to the €50,000 he picked up on Friday.

“It was a well-built course, Frank Rothenberger did a great job as he always does. It was a long course and the calibre of jumping has been unbelievable again.”

Scott’s Olympic team-mate Nick Skelton has nursed Beverley Widdowson’s 11-year-old stallion back from an injury he picked up last year and the pair produced the quickest time in the jump-off, but the final oxer fell.

“I am very pleased with him, because he has been off for nine months,” said Nick. “It’s the first time he is back in the swing of things.”

Results of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cascais, Estoril

• Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos) GBR, 0/0/0 45.43sec
• Rodrigo Pessoa (Status FRH) BRA, 0/0/0 46.24sec
• Nick Skelton (Big Star) GBR, 0/0/4 43.32sec
• Bassem Hassan Mohammed (Victoria) QAT, 0/0/4 51.55sec
• Christian Ahlmann (Aragon Z) GER, 0/0/8 45.27sec
• Nadja Peter Steiner (Capuera II) SUI 0/1

Don’t miss the full report in next week’s Horse & Hound, out Thursday 17 July.

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Brazilian showjumper Rodrigo Pessoa has received the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma for a “generous act of fair play” at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) last October.

The award was presented by the International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP) at the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel in Lausanne yesterday evening (Thursday, 27 January).

But Mr Pessoa was not able to attend the ceremony as he is competing in Florida.

His award came after Mr Pessoa was one of the final four fighting for the individual gold at WEG.

The other challengers were Eric Lamaze of Canada, Belgium’s Philippe Lejeune, and the young Saudi rider Abdullah Sharbatly for whom competition at this level was a first.

Mr Sharbatly was riding Mr Pessoa’s horse Rebozza and asked the more experienced Brazilian for some guidance.

An FEI spokesman said: “Pessoa explained at length how to ride the horse, pointed out the most difficult fences, and gave his opponent advice on how to tackle the course.”

Mr Sharbatly went on to secure the silver medal, while Mr Pessoa finished in fourth.

His generous gesture was acknowledged by loud applause from the spectators in Kentucky.

Mr Pessoa is one of three 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma recipients, the other two being Bulgarian judo player Yoana Damyanova and triathlete Raquel Mafra Rocha of Portugal.

Football player Amin Motavassel Zadeh from Iran, decathlete Darius Draudvila from Lithuania and Chinese wrestler Gao Feng were awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Trophy.

The FEI was also nominated for the 2010 Willi Daume World Fair Play Trophy for the promotion of fair play.

The FEI nomination was for the federation’s inclusion of Para-Equestrian Dressage as one of its disciplines.

The AIPS citation stated, “FEI is the only international federation which includes a special event for the disabled athlete in its World Championship Programme, one which is also of world class and where medals are presented.”

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German show jumper Christian Ahlmann has been fined and banned from competition after his horse tested positive for a banned drug at this summer’s Olympics.

Ahlmann has been banned from competing for four months and fined 2,000 Swiss Francs (£1,046) with 1,500 Swiss Francs (£785) costs, by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Ahlmann’s horse, Coster, tested positive for a banned substance, capsaicin, in Hong Kong during the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

His ban from competition runs until 18 December.

Ahlmann was one of five Olympic show jumpers to be investigated for suspected horse doping offences in Hong Kong.

The FEI disciplinary tribunal has so far fined and banned from competition, for periods of up to four and a half months, Brazilian riders Rodrigo Pessoa and Bernardo Alves and Irishman Denis Lynch.

Traces of the same drug — capsaicin — were found in all of the riders’ horses.

A decision has still to be made by the tribunal in the case of Norwegian rider Tony Andre Hansen.

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The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has branded top show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa “unsportsmanlike” for obtaining an injunction allowing him to ride at the Global Champions Tour next week.

Pessoa was recently banned from competing for 135 days — 4.5 months — after his horse tested positive in a random drug test during the 2008 Olympic Games.

In a statement released this afternoon, FEI boss Alexander McLin said: “We understand [Pessoa] has obtained an injunction from a national court compelling the Brazillian National Federation to enter him in the event.

“That he should take such action is highly disappointing and inappropriate for a sportsman of his position.”

The FEI said in order to lift his suspension, Pessoa must apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) — which he has not yet done. The Global Champions Tour Final takes place in Sao Paolo in Pessoa’s home country of Brazil, from 15-19 October.

Mr McLin added: “We will take all necessary further disciplinary action should local court orders or circumstances allow him to take part in the competition.

“Any result obtained by him in an international competition while under suspension would be void.”

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Olympic show jumper Bernardo Alves has been banned from competition for three and a half months following an investigation into claims he used a prohibited substance on his horse at the Games in August.

Mr Alves, who rode Chupa Chup on the Brazilian Olympic team, is suspended from 21 August until 3 December and was fined 1,750 Swiss Francs (£925).

Two samples from the horse tested positive for the banned substance capsaicin in tests at the Hong Kong Jockey Club laboratory.

Mr Alves’ team mate Rodrigo Pessoa was banned for 135 days after his horse Rufus tested positive for the same substance.

Mr Alves has 30 days to appeal the FEI tribunal’s decision.

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Rodrigo Pessoa has been suspended for 135 days after his horse tested positive for a banned drug during the Olympic Games.

The top rider from Brazil was one of five show jumpers whose horses tested positive for banned substances in Hong Kong this summer.

The governing body of horse sport, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has today banned Rodrigo Pessoa for 4.5 months and fined him 2,000 Swiss Francs (nearly £1,000). He and his horse, Rufus, have been disqualified from the Olympic Games.

Vets at the Hong Kong Racing Laboratory carried out tests on two samples from Rufus — on 23 August and then on 2 September. Both tested positive for the banned drug Nonivamide — a capsaicinoid with hypersensitising properties.

In issuing its decision this evening, the FEI’s disciplinary tribunal said: “It is each person responsible’s personal duty to ensure that no prohibited substance is present in his or her horse’s body during an event.”

Rodrigo Pessoa will be allowed to compete again from 10 January 2009.

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The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has now held hearings into five allegations of doping of show jumping horses at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Decisions are expected shortly in the cases of Brazilian riders Bernardos Alves (Chupa Chup) and Rodrigo Pessoa (Rufus) and Irish rider Denis Lynch (Lantinus 3) pictured right.

Second hearings may be held in the cases of Tony Andre Hansen of Norway and Camiro and Christian Ahlmann of Germany and Coster.

Bernardo Alves and Denis Lynch have both had appeals against interim suspensions turned down.

All the riders are alleged to have used banned products containing a derivative of the chilli pepper on their horses.

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A second sample from former world number one show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa’s horse Rufus has tested positive for the banned substance Nonivamide.

Vets at the Hong Kong Racing Laboratory carried out tests on Tuesday (2 September) on a second sample from Rufus following a positive result of an initial sample on 23 August, following the Olympic Games.

Both samples have tested positive for the prohibited substance, a member of the capsaicinoid family.

Mr Pessoa is the fifth show jumper and sixth rider overall to allegedly fall foul of International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules on doping at the Olympics.

A date for the hearing with a panel of the FEI Tribunal will be announced soon, said an FEI spokesman.

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Brazilian rider Roderigo Pessoa‘s horse Rufus has tested positive for a banned substances at the Olympic Games.

Rodrigo is the 5th show jumper and 6th rider competing at the Games to return a positive test.

The substance is a capsaicinoid, this time nonivamide. Nonivamide is prohibited because of its hypersensitising properties.

The sample was taken after the individual final on 23 August, in which the pairing finished fifth.

A second sample is due to be tested tomorrow (Tuesday, 2 August).

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has confirmed that this is the final sample to be tested from the Olympic Games.

Four Olympic show jumpers and one dressage rider are already scheduled to face the FEI disciplinary panel this week after second samples from all five horses proved positive for a prohibited substance.

The second samples of four show jumpers — Bernardo Alves of Brazil and Chupa Chup, German rider Christian Ahlmann and Cöster, Denis Lynch of Ireland and Lantinus and Norway’s Tony Andre Hansen and Camiro — all tested positive for the prohibited chilli derivative, capsaicin.

And they are joined by American dressage rider Courtney King whose horse Mythilus tested positive for felbinac, a banned anti-inflamatory drug.

Hearings in the other cases will be held on 5, 6 and 7 September in Lausanne.

If the second test on Rufus’ sample is also positive, Mr Pessoa will also be invited to attend a hearing.

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Legendary show jumper Baloubet Du Rouet has been retired by his owner Diogo Pereira Coutinho and Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa.

The 19-year-old Selle Francais — described on one fan site as “having the agility of a cat and the strength of a lion” — won the hearts of many with his high spirits in the ring.

However, his fiery stallion demeanour worked against him at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 when, after jumping consistently clear all week to win team bronze, he racked up an unexpected 36 faults in the individual final and was eliminated.

Baloubet and Pessoa took individual gold in Athens in 2004 when Waterford Crystal, the ride of Cian O’Connor, who was first awarded the medal, failed a drugs test. They won the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) show jumping World Cup a record three times — in 1998, 1999 and 2000 — narrowly missing out in 2001 to Markus Fuchs and Tinkas Boy.

He won the Las Vegas World Invitational grand prix in 2005 and first prize at the Budweiser Invitational in Florida the following year, as well as the prestigious FEI/Gandini Top 10 Final in 2003 and 2005.

Tim Stockdale, who has jumped against the pair many times over the years, described Baloubet as “the ultimate show jumper”.

“He was the real deal and his athleticism was second to none,” he added. “He could turn like a pony and gallop like a racehorse, and had the most fabulous brain — he made the impossible seem possible.”

Baloubet showed his class at a young age, when ridden by Nelson Pessoa on the French circuit, including winning the seven-year-old stallion test at Fontainebleau.

However, the stallion became most competitive when he became the mount of Nelson’s son, Rodrigo, as a nine-year-old.

Baloubet has sired a number of promising progeny — including Balou Grande Z (winner of the 30-day stallion test in 2002 at Neustadt-Dosse) and Balou Du Rouet — and will continue to stand for Linalux in Belgium.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 February, ’08)

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Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa won the Gandini Top Ten Final in Geneva at the weekend, with a vintage performance from his long-standing partner Baloubet du Rouet.

Last to go in the second round, the 2003 champion only had to jump clear to take the title for the second time in the five-year history of the event. His 16-year-old stallion rose magnificently to the occasion, displaying all his trademark exuberance along the way.

Clear rounds were hard to come by in the first round, with the time proving influential around this true jumping test. Eurocommerce Monaco left all the fences up for Gerco Schroder, but they picked up a single time penalty, as did Marcus Ehning.

Markus Fuchs delighted the home crown when he produced the first clear round of the competition with Granie. Then Baloubet du Rouet bounced into the arena with his usual air of confidence. Pessoa kept him on a short stride over the first few fences and his tactics paid off as the Brazilian partnership left all the fences in place within the time.

Going into the second round Markus Fuchs knew he had crowd on his side, but the bogey rustic oxer caught him out as it had so many before him. Pessoa entered the ring knowing that a clear round would clinch it. The 33-year-old Brazilian star once again produced an extra-special performance when it mattered and his stallion was in a class of his own as they made it look so easy.

“It is fantastic to have a horse like this” said Pessoa, giving the credit to his great partner Baloubet. “He’s an extraordinary horse, now 16 years old but you would never know it”.

Meanwhile in Portugal, Britain’s David McPherson fought off tough competition to win the CSI3* Porto Grand Prix on the 13-year-old Irish-bred horse, Bob’s Diamond. The partnership jumped two faultless rounds to take victory ahead of the French duo Julien Epaillard and Robert Breul. Britain’s Robert Maguire finished in fourth place with Two Mills Showtime.

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