Press release from Longines Masters of New York

Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, individual gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, proved why he’s a champion by winning the Masters Two Champagne Barons de Rothschild 1.45m on Friday afternoon in his Longines Masters of New York debut.

Pessoa enjoyed an easy win, cruising to victory in a time of 57.61 seconds compared to the 60.42 seconds posted by Madison Goetzmann who took second place riding Prestigious (Con Cento x Corofino).  His winning mount, Farrero (Boss x Indorado), is a nine-year-old Dutch-bred gelding owned by his student, 18-year-old Coco Fath, who is also contesting the Longines Masters of New York this week.

“They have used the infrastructure really nicely here,” said Pessoa in praise of the four-day international show jumping event held at NYCB LIVE, home ice for the New York Islanders NHL hockey team.  “The arena is nice.  It’s small and everything comes up quick, but that’s indoor show jumping.  It’s great to promote show jumping in the area and encourage people to maybe start riding.”