Roberto Brasil Cracks 70% on Grand Prix Debut with Revolution, Excited for 2024

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2024 CDN Equiminho

Portuguese Grand Prix rider Roberto Brasil has cracked the 70% marker on his national Grand Prix debut with the American owned stallion Revolution. With two Grand Prix horses in team contention in the 2024 Olympic year, the 36-year old professional is more than excited for the future.

"The Beauty of Their Dreams"

In October 2023 Brasil surprised the world when he announced the acquisition of the 2018 World Young Horse Champion and licensed stallion Revolution (by Rouletto x Rocky Lee) by his American sponsor, MFI Group.

“'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' This is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that I’ve liked and used several times over the years, only now I truly know what she meant," Roberto took to social media after revealing his new partnership with Revolution.

"This is more then a dream come true," he added. "And on top of it getting the opportunity to ride with my life time idol Andreas Helgstrand. I want to thank Andreas for making everything so easy and for all the support you have been giving me but above all to the MFI Group for believing in me and making this dream into a reality. There’s no words that’s can describe what this means to me."

Making the Seventies

Much pressure rested on Roberto's shoulders to prove his worth aboard such a famous horse. Revolution had competed at Grand Prix level in Denmark with Danish Olympian Andreas Helgstrand, but for Brasil to live up to that standard, under the watchful eyes of the world, is no small thing.

Three months into their partnership, the pair made its national show debut at the CDE Equiminho on 13 - 14 January 2024. Organized by Coudelaria Vila Nova, the show featured two Grand Prix test on the weekend with four competitors in the first one. The class was judges by Joao Duarte and Alexandra Carneiro.

"Revo did a good test with 70.435% and took the win on Saturday," Roberto beamed. "There is so much room for improvement. On Sunday we were at 72% but then I made a mistake. We were still third with 69.848%. It's a great way to start the season and it gives me and my team confidence in what is to come."

At the same show Roberto's second Grand Prix ride, Vila de Sagres' 11-year old Lusitano stallion Hercules d'Atela (by Soberano out of Vaqueja d'Atela), scored a personal best of 69.511%. The next day he boosted that score to a 70.054% for a second place.

"I'm on a 70% average with both horses and produced steady results, which is what the federation is looking for," said Brasil.

Team Equiminho On a Roll

After having worked in the U.S.A from 2014 til 2019 and ridden for Brazilian Lusitano stud farm Vila de Sagres until 2023, Brasil made the move to independence in September 2023.

Together with business partner and student Tiago Ferreira he relocated to equestrian centre Equiminho in Barcelos (POR) where they operate their own dressage training business.

Ferreira is making miles in two divisions this year, competing at Young Riders level and in the Under 25 category. Last weekend Tiago rode his 12-year old Oldenburg Diamo Dream (by Diamo Gold x Furst Heinrich) to solid scores of 70.074% and 71.544% . At Under 25 level he steered the green 8-year old Junior Rubi d'Ilheu (by Rubi AR x Oceano MBV) to 66.985% in the Inter II and 66.250% in the U25 Grand Prix.

"Tiago made no mistakes in the Young Riders' test which is what we want at the start of the season," said proud coach Roberto. "In the U25 he did amazing. It was their first Under 25 test and Tiago is now qualified to compete internationally with both horses. Tiago is aiming for the 2024 European Young Riders Championships, but we are in no rush. We will do everything with time. The national results are already there."

Dreaming of Paris

Brasil has made it no secret that is heart is burning for the Paris Olympics and with Revolution he has the horse power in hands.

"I want to keep evolving with Revo and go in the first CDI very soon. It's no secret that we want to fight for a place on the team for the Olympics but we'll take it one step at a time," said Roberto. "We have time and Revo's well-being will always be a priority."

Brasil enjoys producing young horses to Grand Prix level. He shares the ride on Junior Rubi with Tiago and will further establish the 9-year old at Grand Prix level, competing him next week. He will also ride the 8-year old Victory Prime in the horse's first Grand Prix level competition. Victory Prime represented Portugal in the 7-year old division at the 2023 World Young Horse Championship in Ermelo.

"Victory Prime will be the fourth Grand Prix horse that I trained up the levels myself," said Roberto, who is thrilled with how his career is taking shape.