RODRIGO Pessoa has long been a household name in every show jumping family, not just in Ireland, but around the world, so the new Irish chef d’equipe is prepared for the onslaught of Irish fans at the Dublin House Show next week.

Some said Ireland was dreaming when there were whispers the three-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist was applying for the job. “Fairytale stuff, that will never happen,” yet here he is, heading for his first championship as Ireland manager.