48 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2011
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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A New
Face
on the
Circuit
Emanuel Andrade and Costa on course
All photos by Hector Garrido
By Sydney Masters
Tenth grader Emanuel Andrade
may seem like a
new face at A-Circuit here in America, but he has
been putting in stand-out performances and winning
rounds in the jumper ring that are quickly gaining him
a formidable reputation in the Junior ranks.
The 14 year old Venezuelan‘s first big victory was
as a member of the three-rider relay team that won
the 2011 FTI Great Charity Challenge, joining Luis
Fernando Larrazabal and Olympian Pablo Barrios
and representing Wheels for Kids.
Philanthropic endeavors are a passion for Emanuel
who is now a member of “Team Step by Step,” a
group of international riders who work to raise funds
and awareness for Liliane Stransky’s children’s
charity Step by Step Foundation.
As a member of the Venezuelan team in the Pre-
Junior division, he put in winning rounds during
the 2011 FEI Americas Jumping Championships in
Guayquil, Ecuador in July. Competing against riders
from eight different countries, including Columbia,
Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Canada and Argentina.
Emanuel piloted his mare Costa to the Pre-Junior
Individual Gold Medal and Team Gold in the division.
Sidelines:
Tell me why and when you started to ride
and what has happened since then?
EA:
Since I was a baby I loved horses. I didn’t
stop bothering my parents until they finally allowed
me to ride when I was 8 years old. I train with Noel
Vanososte and Helio Pessoa in Venezuela and with
Angel Karolyi here in the United States. I compete in both
countries; at the beginning of 2012 I’ll join Angel again at
the Winter Equestrian Festival to compete in the Junior
Jumpers. If everything goes, we will go to Lexington, Aiken,
Atlanta, the Hampton Classic and all the big shows here.
Sidelines:
What is it like to have three trainers in two
countries?
EA:
Angel, Noel and Helio work as prepared as I possibly
can be for the show ring. As far as school, my teachers
are very flexible and understand that riding is my passion
and that sometimes the show schedule causes me to miss
classes. I work with a tutor to make sure that I am able to
complete all the assignments and understand the material.
Sidelines:
Was the FEI Americas Show Jumping
Championship the first time riding for your country?
EA:
I rode for Venezuela last year as a member of Children’s
Team at the FEI Championships; we won the Bronze.
There is always more pressure riding for your country, but
it makes it even more exciting. One day I would like to
compete for Venezuela in international classes like Nations
Cups, World Cups, Pan American Games, and of course
the Olympics. That would be the ultimate goal; but in the
meantime I want to continue to move up and advance,
learn more, and get to ride as many horses as possible.
Sidelines:
How did you get involved with riding for charity
organizations?