Brazil’s show jumping squad was looking like it had big potential at the FEI World Championships until a shock announcement by one its top riders, Yuri Mansur, that he would not be competing on the team this week, citing differences with how the team is run.
“Differences” is probably an understatement.
He revealed on social media that for years, “I’ve had to contend with so much incompetence, a lack of capable leadership, power struggles among the athletes themselves, a total lack of commitment to what truly matters, and an absence of unity or a winning mentality. Every year, the process and the result are the same: fighting, insults, deliberate lack of communication, a lack of honest rules and procedures, favoritism, and no results…”
He added, “Of course, some of us have achieved remarkable and incredible results over the years, but as a team… it’s always the same story: `almost there.’ I received the most deplorable treatment from this management team, the worst I have ever witnessed. I was blackmailed and mistreated. Yet, I pressed on and gave my all for this country.”
Yuri Mansur riding for Brazil in his trademark yellow jacket at the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals.
Last Sunday, he said the situation “crossed every line regarding ethics, respect, and sportsmanship. That is why, with great sadness, I am announcing a difficult decision. As of today, I will no longer represent Brazil in championships or Nations Cups. To all the athletes heading to the World Championship to represent Brazil, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I’ll be rooting for you!
As for this management team, I feel nothing but pity.”
He gave no further details about the circumstances that led to his decision.
But the Revista Horse website said “the crisis was triggered by disputes over the selection of the starting quartet and the choice of official mounts—discussions that dragged on until the final training session on Saturday. The technical evaluation process and the final roster composition — distinguishing between starters and reserves — exacerbated these internal rifts.”
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Equestrian Confederation’s president, Constantino Scampini, told Revista Horse that selection of the team members was the sole responsibility of the technical staff.
“At this moment, there isn’t much to say regarding the decision made by the coach, Frank (Franke Sloothaak) who selected the team. He possesses the expertise to determine the best squad for Brazil, and we respect that technical decision.”
The team now includes Pedro Muylaert riding Gemme Villers; Rodrigo Pessoa (Major Tom); Stephan Barcha (Chevaux Primavera Império Egípcio) Marlon Zanotelli (Dorette OLD) and Luciana Diniz (Vertigo du Desert).
Mansur’s media post has been a hot topic, and someone from Australia suggested he could ride for that country, as his trademark bright yellow jacket would fit in with the yellow and green color scheme of the folks from Down Under.