Text © World of Showjumping

Piet Raijmakers – 1992 Olympic, 2006 World and 1991 European team champion as well as 1992 Olympic vice-champion – has succeeded Philippe Guerdat as chef d’equipe for the Brazilian jumping team. Guerdat started working with the Brazilian team in 2019, but stepped down at the beginning of 2025 due to health reasons.

“It's very sad that Philippe had to step down, he has done a great job,” Raijmakers tells World of Showjumping, now in the fourth month of his new job. “I think Brazil has very good riders; there are those here in Europe, as well as those based in the States – plus riders at a very good level back in Brazil as well. I am looking forward to the next four years with them."

“I'm positively surprised,” Raijmakers tells about his thoughts on the Brazilian team as he looks forward to guiding them towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. “I was in Brazil for one week to meet with the federation, to speak with representatives from their Olympic Committee and also to give a three-day clinic. Brazil is a big country with a huge population, and equestrian sports are unbelievably important there. There were many riders that wanted to participate in the clinic; when they were finished they came back to watch the next lesson, and in the evening they still had questions. I was very happy to see their enthusiasm.”

“My plan this year is to let as many rides as possible compete in the EEF Nations Cup-series and in the other Nations Cups,” Raijmakers tells. “Luckily, we are invited to Rome, St Gallen and La Baule. However, the main objective this year is to make sure we are considerate of the best horses we have so that we don't use them too much, but rather keep the bigger picture in mind.”