Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) has always known that Major Tom had every quality he could want in an equine partner. But channeling the horse’s brimming talent was a work in process.
His patience with the 11-year-old chestnut paid off with a stellar victory Saturday night at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, as they bested a five-horse jump-off in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington (USA). First to return over Nick Granat’s (USA) short course, the pair produced a round that simply couldn’t be matched. Not only could no one match their time, but only one other competitor could manage to keep all the rails up—defending champion, Katie Dinan (USA).
Pessoa’s winning time was 38.77 seconds. After winning the 2023 event with Brego R’n B, Dinan finished second on this occasion with a newer mount in Out of the Blue SCF (40.27s). Kristen Vanderveen secured third with Bull Run’s Jireh. After her stirrup fell back behind Vanderveen’s saddle, the pair brought a single rail down when crossing the timers in 39.63 seconds.
(Canada had two riders in this competition; Mario Deslauriers placed 14th riding Bardolina 2 (12 faults), while Reynn Ballard retired Gakhir on course.)
“Going first is always a little bit difficult, but on the other hand, you make your plan and you try to stick to it, and I think I did that pretty well [tonight].” Pessoa said. “I’m really pleased that we came out on top today.”
Clear rounds were hard to come by. Granat’s first round course featured no fewer than three verticals set at maximum height, with another trio just centimeters lower. With the rounded shape of the arena, questions came up quickly, challenging even the most experienced of combinations, including Olympic veterans Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz. It was no problem, however for Pessoa and Major Tom, who navigated the track with an eye-opening level of poise and precision. Confidence brimming, their mastery of the evening carried over to the short course, where they never appeared rushed while setting an uncatchable standard.
“I knew that it was always possible to go faster, but I was happy with [my horse’s] performance, and I knew I was going to be right there or thereabouts,” Pessoa said.
“Of course, looking back, I was a second-and-a-half behind, and I could have easily in some ways made that up,” Dinan said. “For sure, I’m still in a relationship-building phase with [my] horse, and I was thrilled with my double-clear. To be second behind Rodrigo—I’ll take that!”
While Dinan has been partnered with “Bridie” for a year, Pessoa has ridden Major Tom for four. He attributed their success to a newfound level of relaxation and maturity for his mount. Major Tom was highly touted as a young horse in Europe under the tutelage of Michael Duffy (IRL) when Philippe Guerdat (SUI) brought the horse to Pessoa’s attention.
“He always showed a lot of quality…but he’s very, very sensitive, and so we’ve taken extra time [with him] and didn’t want to push him as a 9-year-old. We really took it easy,” Pessoa said. “I really feel that now he’s getting more and more relaxed.”
“The jump was always there, but his mind was always [going] 200 miles per hour. Now he’s taking his time and taking deep breaths everywhere and can really rely on his quality. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever had, but he really needed that time to get in his own space and be more comfortable.”
This marked Major Tom’s second time competing at the venue after making his debut at Washington in 2022 with a single knockdown.
“He’s more comfortable outside, because he has a very big stride,” Pessoa said, “but it was part of the plan to come here, to [practice] inside a little bit.”
Kent Farrington (USA) continues to lead the NAL standings. After winning in Traverse City with Greya, he finished seventh at Washington with 9-year-old Myla; he now has 30 points. Daniel Bluman (ISR) sits second with 27 points, followed by Vanderveen (USA).
Full results here.
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