competitive outings in both jumping and working equita- tion—the latter demanding quick reflexes and a high degree of control and agility—certainly provided a concrete foun- dation when he made the decision to focus on dressage. “I used to do all three disciplines, but at a point I saw that my father’s breeding focused on dressage, and I also saw the opportunity to compete internationally,” he says. Currently a full-time student at Insper, a Brazilian institute
committed to innovation in the fields of business adminis- tration, economics, law and engineering, his studies limit Manu’s hours in the saddle. “I ride six days a week, but it’s not easy to find time between classes. Sometimes the only win- dow I have is during lunch time,” he says. For this reason, his current competitive horizon extends only as far as the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. “I’m planning on riding un- til the Olympic Games. I’m not sure what happens after that,” he remarks. He is confident, however, that Viheste will still be in good shape as he’s currently only twelve, in his prime for a Grand Prix dressage horse. Interestingly, one of Manu’s sporting idols is not a rider.
“I’m a huge fan Roger Federer. He’s a very focused, passionate [tennis] player and his supreme technique makes some shots almost magical,” Manu says. He describes his own strongest quality as patience. “I believe I’m a very patient rider, and that is very important for the horse’s confidence and also for long- term results,” he explains. Pedro is also a full-time student, attending ESPM Universi-
ty in São Paulo, where he’s studying business and marketing. His riding time also has to be carefully managed, although his determination and enthusiasm are second to none. “I spend more or less twelve hours training a week. It is very hard to manage my time between university and training, but this is the path I’ve chosen, so hard work and sacrifices are the consequences,” he says. Pedro admits to meticulous planning in order to follow his
training regimen. “During the beginning of the week I focus on the movements that I find most challenging in the test, so by the end of the week I practice the whole Grand Prix test and my freestyle. On weekends the training is softer in order to relax and reward the horse for the work done during the week. I always try to listen to the horses, understand their limitations and timing, respecting them, knowing that they will give their best,” he explains. Having taken over the reins of Luiza’s 2008 Olympic
horse, Pedro is full of praise for the 18-year-old Samba. “He is a great horse who has done an amazing job for
Brazilian dressage development. He will continue to train in the coming years, and continues to be a very healthy horse,” he says. Looking ahead to 2016, however, Pedro is considering younger horses, including the home-bred Baluarte do Mito. “He will soon be ready to substitute Samba at the higher levels. And there are also three more horses at the farm being prepared for the 2016 Olympic Games,” he adds. As a family team, there is no sense of sibling rivalry, but rather a cohesive unit that supports and encourages one an-
other. “We are normally very focused on helping one another, giving advice and support,” Pedro says and his twin brother concurs. “We always try to motivate each other, and to point out where things could go better.” With the possibility of a spot on the Brazilian dressage
team for the 2014 World Championships, Pedro admits, “I am yet a very young rider with a lot to learn. I hope that I can learn by competing alongside some of the greatest riders in modern dressage.” The Brazilian selectors will announce the dressage team
for the 2014 World Equestrian Games (August 23 to Septem- ber 7, in Normandy, France) following the third and final trial which concludes in São Paulo in late May.
Above: Pedro with Toleirao da Broa, a new, younger mount to potentially replace Samba. Opposite, right: L-R: A rare photo moment with Pedro, Manuel, their trainer Dolf Keller and Luiza. Bottom of this page and opposite: Lusitanos roam the property at the Tavares de Almeida farm, Rocas do Vouga in Itu, Brazil.
26 May/June 2014
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