142 SIDELINES MARCH 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Continued on page 191
Luis ringside with coach Rodrigo Pessoa during the FTI
Consulting 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival.
Photo by Mancini Photos
“I have class
all day
on Monday,” Luis admits with a laugh. “But
on Tuesday, I only have classes in the evening so I can ride the
entire morning and afternoon. I try my best to make both work. It
means so much to me that Gustavo and Carolina are supportive
[of me getting an education]. I can’t thank them enough for that.”
For the most part, Luis’s professors and classmates are
supportive of his riding and acknowledge the commitment he’s
made to professional riding, and it really helps that many of his
classmates are fellow equestrians and childhood friends.
“I’ve known some of my classmates since we were little because
they went to school with me in Venezuela too. There are also
some people from Colombia that ride who are in my classes,” Luis
said.
Math is Luis’s strong suit and he admits that he hates writing
essays. When he does have to churn out a paper, he seeks
out the help of G&C Farm barn manager Manuel Machillanda.
Manuel’s sharp eye and gift for writing provides the ever-grateful
Luis with indispensable advice through the editing process. “We
share the same culture since we’re both from Venezuela and we
think alike. He’s really funny and always in a good mood. He’s
very easy-going, like me,” Luis smiled.
Luis also enlists the help of his older brother, Juan Andres,
who lives in Wellington with the rest of Luis’s immediate family.
His younger sister, Vanessa, along with his parents, relocated to
Wellington in 2009 from Venezuela.
“They are amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without them. They
are always there for me,” Luis said of his family. He credits them
as his greatest support system, not only for school but also in
riding. His entire family is equine-inclined – his mother plans to
make her debut at WEF this year with the mare Luis learned the
ropes on as a junior jumper.
Luis still has another two years before he graduates and until
then he’ll continue to balance his educational and professional
pursuits. In addition to G&C Flash and G&C Close Up, he’ll also
continue to compete with G&C Cosmea, a newer addition that is
already proving to be very competitive.
“She’s my speed horse. My winner horse!” Luis said of the mare
