WoSJ has created a series of exclusive interviews with some of the top names of the sport, to discuss the horses that have shaped their careers, fulfilled their dreams – and sometimes even broken hearts. The series was created to highlight what our sport truly is about; the special bond between a horse and its rider.

This time around, we asked Brazil’s Pedro Veniss to tell us about his “Special One”, “The One That Got Away” as well as his “Money Maker”.  

“Quabri de l’Isle (Kannan x Socrate D Chivre) is a horse of a life time for me! Quabri is such a nice horse and he has made my dreams come true. With him, I won the Rolex Grand Slam Grand Prix in Geneva, he did amazing at the Rio Olympics, and he has been double clear in Nations Cups all over the world. We have been on winning Nations Cup teams at venues like La Baule and Calgary. During the five years that I have had him, he has made me so happy. 

Quabri is like a family member to us. When my kids go to the stable, Quabri is the one they want to see. They can also ride him sometimes. Even though he is a stallion, he has such a special character; he knows when he has a child on his back.

We bought Quabri when he was 10-years-old, but I had already seen him as a 6-year-old in Belgium. When he was eight, I saw him again in a 2* Grand Prix where he had two time faults, but I thought he jumped amazing. Back then, I asked the boy if he would let me ride him – but they needed to sell. I spoke to my friend Cassio (Rivetti), who showed the horse to Alexander Onischenko and they bought him. Ulrich Kirkhoff rode Quabri for two years, and I think he did a really good job with him. When Quabri was 10-years-old, my mother-in-law told me that she wanted to help me reach my dream: To ride at the Olympic Games on home soil in Brazil. As an athlete, to get to compete at the Olympic Games in your home country – that only happens once in your life. At that moment, I called Cassio and asked if Quabri would be for sale. I went to try him, only did a few small jumps and I knew I loved the horse. I think it was destiny, that we ended up together. This was in May 2014, and the plan was to do the Olympics in 2016. But Quabri was so good, we did the World Equestrian Games in Caen in 2014 after only four months together. 

When I rode him for the first time, I felt he was amazing. Sometimes he can be a stallion, but I felt immediately that he had a really good personality. As a rider I have just tried to give him more confidence. I let him do a little bit what he wants, because the happier he is, the better he jumps. I think we are a good match and he has become to be my best friend. He always does his best. He has so much scope, he is careful. Quabri’s mind is amazing, he can go directly into the biggest classes and give his best every time.” 

“For me, Cornet d’Amour (Cornet Obolensky x Damiani) is the one that got away. I got the ride on him when he was 6-years-old. Already on the first jump at home he gave me an unbelievable feeling. I felt immediately that he was something special, he was different. I think he was the best horse I have ever ridden. 

I took him to the Sunshine Tour that year and he did 25 rounds – all clear. He went clear all the time in his 7th year, and during his 8th and 9th year he did a few bigger classes. Just when he got ready to do the biggest shows, he got away – the owners wanted to give him to another rider. I lost Cornet just before the 2012 Olympics in London, and we were ready for the team. It was hard, but that is life.

Right there and then, it was three years of hard work that disappeared. It was really hard for me to understand. I think it is always difficult for riders, when they put a lot of time and work into a special horse, then lose them and see them later on with someone else. The only thing that comforted me was the fact that Daniel Deusser is one of the best riders in the world and he has done an amazing job with Cornet after me. The horse has now showed everyone how good he is.”

”Anaya Ste Hermelle (Andiamo x Paladin Des Ifs) has been the money maker for me. I bought her as a 7-year-old, and she is now thirteen. I think I have kept her in the right level, and she has won so much for me!”

Text © World of Showjumping by Nanna Nieminen

Photos © World of Showjumping by Jenny Abrahamsson

No reproduction without permission, copyright © World of Showjumping