Third Consecutive Olympics for Brazilian João Oliva With More Experience and Grit

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F.O.C.U.S.

João Victor Marcari Oliva will represent Brazil at the 2024 Olympic Games in bringing with him talent and experience as he will be riding his third, consecutive Olympics on his third horse.

The young professional based in Portugal, where he rides for Mantovani Horses, will be saddling Feel Good VO, a 12-year old Westfalian by Franziskus x Dimension which he has owned and trained to Grand Prix himself.

Third Olympics Bring Experience and Growth

Since his debut at the Rio 2016 Olympics aboard Brazilian Lusitano Xamã dos Pinhais, Oliva has matured significantly. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics his scores peaked with Mantovani's flagship Lusitano stallion Escorial, posting 70.419% in the grand prix and surpassing his score from Rio. Last year at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, he and Feel Good VO won double silver, showcasing nine years of hard work.

"The journey with Feel Good VO is very satisfying," Oliva told Adestramento Brasil from Aachen, Germany, where he recently competed in the CDI 4*. "We started from the beginning and evolved together. Raising and training a horse is like raising a child, and seeing it succeed is extremely gratifying."

With Escorial at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Despite his young age of 28, João Oliva is already on his way to his third Olympics and feels more prepared and ready for the pressure and challenges that will face him as he goes down the centerline of the arena overlooked the palace in Versailles.

"With time, experience grows. The João who competed in Rio was more inexperienced and there to learn," he confessed. "Now I am more professional. The João from Rio 2016 is very different from the João of now."

High Expectations

Preparation for Paris has been intensive. Under the guidance of German coach Norbert Van Laak, who also trains the senior dressage team of the Brazilian Equestrian Confederation (CBH).

"Now it’s about focusing on training, seeing what Norbert has to say, and adjusting what is necessary to achieve the best performance," Oliva explained.

He has high expectations for the Olympic Games, always aiming to surpass his previous performances. "The goal is always to exceed what we did last time. Of course, we may do better or not, so it’s about focusing on doing the best possible and hoping to please the judges," he reflects.

With Feel Good VO at the 2023 Pan American Games

As the sole representative for Brazil in dressage sport in Paris, João Oliva and Feel Good VO need to set personal best scores to make it into the Grand Prix freestyle finals. With a bold target set, he will aim to bring his best performance on Grand Prix day.

"Joao embodies the spirit and dedication typical of Brazil," said Thiago Mantovani. "Ge proudly represents the green and yellow flag on the world stage. With the support of his father, Victor Oliva, and with the entire nation cheering him on, João will prove his hard work and passion in his journey at the Paris Olympics."