| Nicknames |
RP (Athlete, 29 Jul 2021) |
| Hobbies |
Golf, spending time with family. (Athlete, 29 Jul 2021) |
| Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning gold in the individual event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. (Athlete, 29 Jul 2021) |
| Most influential person in career |
His father Nelson. (rodrigopessoa.com, 02 Nov 2014)
Ludger Beerbaum |
| Hero / Idol |
Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, German jumper Ludger Beerbaum. (Athlete, 29 Jul 2021; phelpssports.com, 29 Feb 2016; rodrigopessoa.com, 02 Nov 2014) |
| Injuries |
He was sidelined for six weeks in 2020 with a shoulder injury. (amethyst-equestrian.com, 15 Sep 2020) |
| Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs |
He has a lucky neck chain. (rio2016.org, 15 Aug 2014) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
"You really need to have goals in life that are obtainable, but at the same time big dreams. You also need to be ready to put in the work so you can reach those dreams." (worldofshowjumping.com, 10 Jul 2018) |
| Awards and honours |
In 2020 he received the Sports Merit Cross from the Brazilian government. (in.gov.br, 19 Feb 2020)
He was flag bearer for Brazil at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (rio2016.com, 28 Oct 2015)
He was named Brazil's Rider of the Year in 1998. (Athlete, 05 Jul 2000) |
| Famous relatives |
His father Nelson represented Brazil in equestrian jumping at five Olympic Games. He also won gold in the team event at the Pan American Games in 1967 and 1995. His wife Alexa Weeks has competed in the sport at an elite level. (Instagram profile, 19 Sep 2019; hamptonclassic.com, 21 Jun 2015; SportsDeskOnline, 04 Dec 2020; rodrigopessoa.com, 02 Nov 2014) |
| Ambitions |
To win another gold medal at the Olympic Games. (Athlete, 29 Jul 2021) |
| Other information |
STABLES
He and his wife Alexa established Amethyst Equestrian in Connecticut in the United States of America. In 2020 they relocated to North Salem, NY, United States of America. (amethyst-equestrian.com, 29 May 2020, 12 Oct 2020)
NATIONAL COACH
In 2016 he began serving as team manager of the Irish national equestrian jumping team. He signed an initial two-year contract, which he extended in December 2018. In September 2019 he announced that he would step down from his role as coach but continue to work as a consultant for the Irish team from November 2019, and instead focus on representing Brazil as a rider at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "I have a feeling of fulfilment in having accomplished my initial mission with them. Qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games was our target and we reached it together as a wide but united squad. I genuinely wish them all the luck in the world and I will remain a steadfast supporter of Team Ireland." (horsenetwork.com, 15 Nov 2019; amethyst-equestrian.com, 15 Nov 2019; equisport.pt, 16 Sep 2019; irishexaminer.com, 19 Dec 2018; olharolimpico.blogosfera.uol.com.br, 28 Sep 2017; porforadaspistas.com.br, 09 Jul 2017)
RETURN TO COMPETITION
Announced he would ride competitively again in 2019 and end his coaching tenure with Ireland. Helped Brazil to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics at the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final.
FEI ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVE
Pessoa was elected as the FEI Athlete Representative for Jumping for the term 2022-2026. He therefore sits on both the Jumping Technical Committee and the Athletes Committee. (FEI, Feb 2023) |
| Milestones |
He won the World Cup Final in 1998, 1999, and 2000 on Baloubet du Rouet, making him the first rider to have claimed victory at the event in three consecutive years with the same horse. (allsands.com, 27 Aug 2010) |
FEI Database
Rodrigo Pessoa 
rpessoa29 
rodrigopessoa29 
