Could it be that one of Brazil’s biggest showjumping profiles will stay at home from the Olympic Games in Rio? It certainly looks like, as Rodrigo Pessoa in an interview published by Studforlife.com reflects on being named as Brazilian reserve for the Olympic Games in his home country.

Rodrigo Pessoa – 2004 Olympic Champion, 1998 World Champion as well as triple World Cup Champion – is unsurprisingly very disappointed with the decision made by the Brazilian coach George Morris to be named as the fifth rider for the host team. The Brazilian team was announced last week to consist of Doda de Miranda with Cornetto, Eduardo de Menezes with Quintol, Stephan de Freitas with Landpeter do Feroleto and Pedro Veniss with Quabri de L'Iisle.

In the interview with Studforlife.com, Pessoa points out that he has proved more than once that he is capable of getting ready for big events such as the Olympic Games. Reflecting on the selection, Pessoa comments that he is not the rider you normally see on a five star-show every weekend – but he carefully picks out events to make the best possible preparation for his prospects. According to Pessoa, Morris has not challenged him otherwise during the season and his focus has thus been to find the right way for his horse to peak – with Rio in mind.

Nevertheless, last week it became clear that Morris has decided to allocate the reserve spot to one of Brazil’s biggest showjumping names. Commenting to Studforlife.com, Pessoa finds it hard to understand Morris’ choice to send a fairly inexperienced horse and rider-combination to Rio as the tasks asked in a championship are a lot different from riding a regular Grand Prix class – although the Brazilian rider points out that he does not wish to discredit any accomplishments made in such classes.

Pessoa has his potential ride Cadjanine Z in quarantine as required to go to Rio, but states that the horse will not travel to be at the Games as the fifth horse.

Click here to read the full interview with Rodrigo Pessoa (in French).

Source: studforlife.com / Text © World of Showjumping / Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson