Nelson Pessoa Filho (born December 16, 1935) is a Brazilian equestrian who competed in the sport of

Show jumping Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrianism, equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, Show hunter, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including th ...

. He was among the first Brazilian civilians to do well in the sport, as the military had dominated it in the Brazil of that era.

Career highlights

He competed in the

1956 Summer Olympics The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 22 November to 8 December 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, whi ...

and came fifth in Equestrian at the 1964 Summer Olympics - Individual jumping. He moved to Europe in 1961. He won the 1966

European Show Jumping Championships The FEI European Show Jumping Championships is the European Championship for the equestrian discipline of show jumping. First held in 1957 in Rotterdam, and on an annual basis, it is held every two years, on the years between Olympic Games and Wor ...

and won twice at

Hickstead Hickstead may refer to: * All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, a show jumping venue in England * Hickstead (horse), an Olympic gold medal winning show jumping horse * Hickstead Hickstead may refer to: * All England Jumping Course at Hickstead ...

. He came second in the 1984

Show Jumping World Cup The FEI Show Jumping World Cup is an annual international competition among the world’s best show jumping horses and riders. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competiti ...

, and in 1991 he was again second, riding

Special Envoy Diplomatic rank is a system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. A diplomat's rank determines many ceremonial details, such as the order of precedence at official processions, table seating ...

. In

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...

Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...

at 56 he was the oldest equestrian, while his 19-year-old son was the youngest. He owns a famous equestrian school at Haras du

Ligny Ligny ( wa, Lignè) is a village of Wallonia and a district of the municipality of Sombreffe, located in the province of Namur, Belgium. Previously its own municipality, a 1977 fusion of the Belgian municipalities made it an '' ancienne commune'' ...

Fleurus Fleurus (; wa, Fleuru) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. It has been the site of four major battles. The municipality consists of the following districts: Brye, Heppignies, Fleurus, Lambusart, ...

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

. His students include Alvaro de Miranda Neto and Athina Onassis Miranda. His son is the Olympic gold medallist

Rodrigo Pessoa Rodrigo de Paula Pessoa (born 29 November 1972 in Paris, France) is a Brazilian equestrian specialized in show jumping. The son of fellow equestrian Nelson Pessoa, Pessoa is considered one of the most talented of his generation ...

. His nickname is Neco. He is the founder of Pessoa Brands; the Pessoa lines include their famous saddles, bridles, girths, blankets and tack.

References

External links

Rodrigo Pessoa (official)
1935 births Living people Brazilian male equestrians Brazilian show jumping riders Olympic equestrians for Brazil Equestrians at the 1956 Summer Olympics Equestrians at the 1964 Summer Olympics Equestrians at the 1968 Summer Olympics Equestrians at the 1972 Summer Olympics Equestrians at the 1992 Summer Olympics Pan American Games medalists in equestrian Pan American Games gold medalists for Brazil Pan American Games silver medalists for Brazil Equestrians at the 1959 Pan American Games Equestrians at the 1967 Pan American Games Medalists at the 1959 Pan American Games Medalists at the 1967 Pan American Games {{Brazil-equestrian-bio-stub