If your mum was an Olympic medalist, how far would you go to match her? Joao Victor Marcari Oliva, a Rio 2016 equestrian hopeful, has moved from his native Brazil to the dressage hub of Germany.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
If your mum was an Olympic medalist, how far would you go to match her? Joao Victor Marcari Oliva, a Rio 2016 equestrian hopeful, has moved from his native Brazil to the dressage hub of Germany.
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Oliva's mother is Hortencia -- pictured left -- who won Olympic silver as the star of Brazil's women's basketball team at Atlanta '96.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Oliva's mother is Hortencia -- pictured left -- who won Olympic silver as the star of Brazil's women's basketball team at Atlanta '96.
Antono Scorza/AFP/Getty Images
Hortencia remains a well-known sports personality in Brazil, having also helped her nation to the world title in 1994.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Hortencia remains a well-known sports personality in Brazil, having also helped her nation to the world title in 1994.
Antonio Scorza/AFP/Getty Images
Hortencia played in the Atlanta Games despite giving birth to Joao just five months earlier. Then 36, she is pictured introducing baby Joao (and his nanny) to basketball during a training session ahead of the 1996 Olympics.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Hortencia played in the Atlanta Games despite giving birth to Joao just five months earlier. Then 36, she is pictured introducing baby Joao (and his nanny) to basketball during a training session ahead of the 1996 Olympics.
Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images
Fast forward more than a decade, and Joao -- 14 in this photo -- is pictured with his mother and father (businessman and horse breeder Jose Victor Oliva). Joao says he has his mother's sporting nature, but inherited his father's passion for horses.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Fast forward more than a decade, and Joao -- 14 in this photo -- is pictured with his mother and father (businessman and horse breeder Jose Victor Oliva). Joao says he has his mother's sporting nature, but inherited his father's passion for horses.
Ney Messi/Divulgacao
Dressage has been neglected in Brazil -- showjumping is the nation's equestrian sport of choice -- but Oliva is among a select group of Brazilian riders hoping to do the host nation justice at the Rio Games in 2016.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Dressage has been neglected in Brazil -- showjumping is the nation's equestrian sport of choice -- but Oliva is among a select group of Brazilian riders hoping to do the host nation justice at the Rio Games in 2016.
Wander Roberto/Inovafoto
Luiza Almeida is another Brazilian dressage hope for 2016. She was just 16 when she made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2008 (pictured), becoming the youngest equestrian athlete in the history of the Games.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Luiza Almeida is another Brazilian dressage hope for 2016. She was just 16 when she made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2008 (pictured), becoming the youngest equestrian athlete in the history of the Games.
David Hecker/AFP/Getty Images
Rodrigo Pessoa is arguably Brazil's best-known rider. The showjumper led the Brazilian team into the London 2012 opening ceremony as he prepared to take part in his sixth Olympic Games.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Rodrigo Pessoa is arguably Brazil's best-known rider. The showjumper led the Brazilian team into the London 2012 opening ceremony as he prepared to take part in his sixth Olympic Games.
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Pessoa won the Athens 2004 Olympic showjumping title, but only once Irish rider Cian O'Connor had been disqualified -- months after the event -- following the revelation that his horse had tested positive for a prohibited substance. Here Pessoa receives the gold medal, at last, a year later in front of Rio's Sugarloaf Mountain.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Pessoa won the Athens 2004 Olympic showjumping title, but only once Irish rider Cian O'Connor had been disqualified -- months after the event -- following the revelation that his horse had tested positive for a prohibited substance. Here Pessoa receives the gold medal, at last, a year later in front of Rio's Sugarloaf Mountain.
Antonia Scorza/AFP/Getty Images
Brazil's National Equestrian Center, in the Deodoro cluster of venues, will host horse events at the Rio 2016 Games. This photo shows the venue in August 2014, prior to renovation work ahead of the Olympics.
Brazil's Olympic hopefuls on horseback —
Brazil's National Equestrian Center, in the Deodoro cluster of venues, will host horse events at the Rio 2016 Games. This photo shows the venue in August 2014, prior to renovation work ahead of the Olympics.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images