FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET
January 10 2025
As of December 9, 2025, Brazil enters the final preparation phase for AlUla as the South American heavyweight and a dangerous "dark horse" for the podium.
While European teams like France and Spain dominate the current rankings, Brazil has a proven track record of upsetting the favorites, most notably securing the Team Silver Medal at the 2021 World Championships (Pisa). They are currently rebuilding that "Golden Generation" squad.
Here is the detailed status of the Brazilian Team ("Team Brasil") for the 2026 cycle:
1. Current Team Status: Rebuilding & Hosting Momentum
Brazil spent much of 2025 focused on regional dominance, having hosted the 2025 Pan American Endurance Championships in Campinas (São Paulo) in July 2025.
- Regional Kings: As hosts, Brazil fielded a large number of combinations in Campinas, allowing the selectors (CBH - Confederação Brasileira de Hipismo) to evaluate a deep pool of talent.
- The "Desert Connection": Brazil is unique among non-Middle Eastern nations because they are a primary exporter of endurance horses to the UAE and Bahrain. Many top horses competing for Bahrain in 2026 were likely bred in Brazil. This means Brazilian riders are riding bloodlines that are proven to excel in the AlUla desert conditions (hardiness and heat tolerance).
2. Key Contenders ("The Watch List")
The Brazilian team relies on a mix of experienced veterans and new talent that emerged during the home Pan Ams.
- André Vidiz: The anchor of the team.
- Status: A veteran of the Silver Medal winning 2021 team. He remains highly active internationally.
- Recent Form: He was observed competing at the Santa Susana (Spain) endurance festival in December 2025 (riding Shogun Endurance), testing himself against the top European riders. Although he faced a vetting irregularity there, his experience makes him a lock for the squad if sound.
- Rodrigo Barreto:
- Status: A consistent high-performance rider with over 100 FEI starts and 16 wins. He is a stable force for the team, often delivering the completion scores needed for a team result.
- Renato Salvatore: Another veteran name often associated with the elite squad, known for strategic riding in difficult terrain.
3. Strategic Outlook for AlUla
- The "Clean Round" Strategy: Brazil's best chance for a medal in 2026 is to replicate their 2021 strategy: let the UAE, Bahrain, and Spain burn each other out with high speeds in the first three loops, and then ride for a steady finish.
- Logistics: Unlike the Europeans who can drive their horses to test events, Brazil faces expensive air travel. It is unlikely they will send a full team to the February 2026 Test Event. Instead, they may lease horses already stationed in the Middle East or rely on their riders' innate adaptability.
Summary of the Global "Challengers"
- Brazil: The top South American contender. Capable of Silver/Bronze if the race has a high attrition rate.
- Uruguay/Chile: Likely to send individual riders, but Brazil remains the only South American nation with a realistic shot at a Team Medal.