Rodrigo Pessoa
Equestrian excellence
With more than 70 Grand Prix wins, Brazilian show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
The CHIO Aachen is my favourite Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major as it is the equivalent to what The Championships, Wimbledon, means to tennis, the Masters means to golf… Since the beginning of my career, I have always had my sights on winning the Grand Prix there. I achieved this feat very early on, and I feel very lucky and grateful for doing so.
Rodrigo Pessoa
A champion rider
A towering figure in the world of show jumping, Rodrigo Pessoa is one of the few champions to have won the Grand Prix at all four competitions that make up the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping: the CHI Geneva (2002, 2004), the CHIO Aachen (1994), the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament (2000, 2001) and The Dutch Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch (2003).
From promising talent to world champion
Rodrigo Pessoa was born into an equestrian family, his father Nelson Pessoa a legend of the sport.
Under Nelson’s guidance, he developed his skills and passion for show jumping from a young age. Starting his Grand Prix career aged just 16, he quickly rose through the ranks and began representing Brazil in international competitions. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, Pessoa, then 19, and his father, 56, made history as the youngest and oldest competitors in the event.
Regarded as one of the world’s most naturally gifted equestrians, Pessoa famously won the Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen in 1994, beating his father into third place. He secured a hat-trick of FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final titles from 1998 to 2000 aboard his legendary horse Baloubet du Rouet, becoming one of only five riders to have accomplished the feat. In 2004, Pessoa joined the Olympic Games Hall of Fame following his individual gold medal victory in Athens. His success at the CHI Geneva extends beyond the Grand Prix, with two Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final titles to his name.
Beyond his individual success, Pessoa has been instrumental in driving team glory, claiming consecutive Olympic bronze medals with the Brazil team in 1996 and 2000, and in more recent years, a team bronze at the 2023 Pan American Games. His extensive Olympic career includes competing at eight editions, culminating in qualifying for the individual final in Paris in 2024, aged 51.
In addition to his competitive career, Pessoa has contributed to the sport as a coach, notably, in charge of Ireland’s show jumping team from 2017 to 2019. The family name has been prominent in international show jumping since 1955, with Pessoa’s achievements furthering that legacy. In 2024, he was honoured with the Show Jumping Hall of Fame’s International Award, underscoring his enduring impact.
Rodrigo Pessoa is Rolex’s longest-serving equestrian Testimonee, having been a brand partner since 1999.