‘RODRIGO Pessoa calling’ flashed up on my phone just minutes after I had watched the Brazilian exit the arena after finishing fifth in the WEF Challenge Cup on Thursday afternoon at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

A man of his word, a man of precision, and a man with an unbelievable passion for his team. For the last 26 years, that team has been Brazil, but now Pessoa has a burning desire for success in a different shade of green. The newly appointed Senior High Performance Director is committed to Team Ireland.