Rogerio Clementino: With Both Feet on the Ground But Head in Guadalajara

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2011 Pan American Games

After 15 days of holiday Brazilian Grand Prix rider Rogerio Clementino is back at work training hard in preparation of facing his competitors of in the dressage selection trials for the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The first Brazilian trial will be in March. Clementino is Currently leading the small tour division from which the Brazilian dressage team will be picked for the Games in Guadalajara as he has won the first two Pan Am selection trials in 2010.

The sympathetic Brazilian rides the 13-year old Lusitano bred Sargento do Top (Afiancado de Flandes x Emético) which was campaigned by Luciano Alves in the past.

"Sargento is trained twice a day," Clementino commented. "We focus on the technical part in the morning and in the afternoon on the physical."

Clementino is a seasoned competitor, having won team bronze at the previous Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He also qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and more recently represented his country at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Rogerio is based at the Coudelaria Ilha Verde equestrian facility in Araçoiaba da Serra in the Sao Paulo area.

At age 29 the athlete from Mato Grosso do Sul has a work routine that consists of riding seven or eight horses of different levels each day, including his Grand Prix horse Portugal. The Portuguese bred Lusitano has fully recovered from a recent injury.

To stay at the top for a place on the Brazilian team, Rogerio relies on his talent, dedication and support of a group of employees. "We never did anything alone. I have a whole team that helps a lot and they are fundamental to the work," he explained.

Besides thanking the support of professionals who work at his side, Clementino like to point out two other "characters" of extreme importance on his path. "I thank God always first, then Victor Oliva. There is no money to pay for the friendship and trust he has placed in me," he said.

Clementino, who is the son of a Brazilian cowboy and horse handler, is able to carry the responsibility of representing Brazil once again in a competition as important as the Pan American Games. He demonstrates calmness and clarity.

"Today I am much more mature," he admitted. "Everything that happened in my career was step by step, with good and bad times and now I feel prepared. The rush of competition is present and makes me grow. I know the responsibility, but I'm quiet. Sargento is very well, has the strength, a good head and is a good friend."