About
Michel Feitosa
International grand prix rider for Brazil · Wellington, FL & Litchfield, CT
Michel Feitosa is an international grand prix rider representing Brazil. He currently splits the year between Wellington, Florida, in the winter and Litchfield, Connecticut, in the summer, traveling to major competitions in the country.
Michel grew up riding in São Paulo, Brazil. Though he does not come from an equestrian family, Michel's first time on a horse was when he was just five years old. After seeing a pony in a field, the young Michel bribed the pony with a mango to get it to come close to the fence so he could get on. It was clear, even from the informal beginnings, that Michel always had a passion for horses.
Michel started riding more seriously when he was 13. Undaunted by extreme financial constraints as his family spent part of his childhood living in a favela, Michel worked in the barn at MCA Horse Club every day so he could have two lessons per week. After five years, he received an offer to work as a rider for Hípica Terras de São José II in Itú, São Paulo – a program renowned for producing star athletes and horses. Michel spent seven years there riding, training, and successfully competing at some of Brazil's most famous shows.
Eager to continue advancing, Michel began to look for opportunities outside of Brazil. The owner of Hípica Terras reached out to Olympic Champion Rodrigo Pessoa on his behalf, and Rodrigo ultimately contacted Michel to join him in the U.S. as his riding assistant. In Michel's three years working with Rodrigo, he was responsible for riding and showing five-star grand prix horses, as well as aiding in the development of the schedules and training programs. He also traveled abroad to Europe and trained with Brazilian legend Nelson Pessoa.
After leaving Rodrigo's, Michel then joined the Halcyon Show Stables team in Litchfield, Connecticut, as the principal rider to gain more experience in a traditional American system. He now simultaneously operates Black Gem Inc. Having worked for every opportunity, Michel's ambition and unrelenting determination are hugely apparent every day as he continues to strive toward the top of the sport.
