Purchased from Rancho Corazon’s European partner, Alex Bontemps, and imported in late 2014, Rio de Janeiro started his life as a pleasure horse. Prior to Alex purchasing Rio, he had never been to a horse show. Rio’s late arrival to the show ring, however, hasn’t hampered his performance at all. Perhaps that is because his sire is the famous Quidam de Revel. The French-bred stallion by Jalisco B was approved by the KWPN and the Selle Francais studbooks, as well as in Belgium, Germany, Sweden and Denmark.
Under Hervé Godignon, Quidam de Revel achieved extraordinary results, winning a team bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics and placing fourth individually. They won numerous Grand Prix and competed several times in Nations Cups. On the World Breeding rankings for jumping stallions, Quidam de Revel topped the list two years in a row..
Many of Quidam’s offspring jumped and are still jumping on the Grand Prix level. In addition, he produced approximately 183 approved sons. Rio’s well-known siblings include Bianca D’Amaury, Tlaloc la Silla (Dollar de la Pierre), Quite Easy, Quite Capitol, Quidam’s Rubin, Quasimodo Z, Guidam (sire of, among others, Authentic and former European Champion Ninja la Silla), Nabab de Reve, Quinar, VDL Groep Verdi, Narcotique de Muze IV, Kyraleen and many more.
With his impressive bloodlines, scope and wonderful attitude, we expect great things from Rio and his rider, Guy McElvain.
In 2016, he competed in his first 1.50m Grand Prix at the Summer in The Rockies. He has competed consistently in the 1.40m divisions. His 2016 results include:
- 9th 1.35m JR/AO Jumper Classic
- 13th 1.50m $50,000 Horseware Grand Prix
- 4th 1.40m Jumper Stake Colorado
- 11th 1.45m Open Welcome Stake Colorado
- 7th 1.50m Santa Fe Grand Prix
- 8th 1.40m Santa Fe Welcome
- 2nd Mini Cooper Santa Fe Ride n’Drive