Super Caio Wins Two Brazilian National Championships
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Champion in every category he entered, José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães has been recognized as one of Brazil’s brightest endurance riding prospects since 2010. He remains the only Brazilian endurance rider to have completed ten international races within a single year—an achievement that earned him a spot in the prestigious Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) Elite Group (Young Riders category).
The youngest son of Mia Frisoni and José Carlos Vaz Guimarães, owners of Haras Blue Grass, Caio began his journey in equestrian endurance at the age of five, riding alongside his father. His early enthusiasm was so influential that it reignited his family’s commitment to the sport. In fact, his parents were among the pioneers of endurance riding in Brazil. |
Known nationwide simply as Caio, his love for horses and endurance has been evident since childhood. By age three, he was already riding, and by five, he completed his first 20 km competition with his father. “I’ve always been immersed in this world,” Caio says. “I never considered another sport. Endurance is in my blood—I can’t see myself doing anything else.”
José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães and VG Fame
Over the years, Caio has built an impressive track record. He finished third in the FEI Endurance Junior/Young Riders World Ranking in 2014 and again in 2017, and ranked first in the FEI Endurance Junior/Young Riders Combination World Ranking in 2017.
At the 33rd Brazilian Endurance National Championship (CBEE) held at Haras Endurance on August 2nd and 4th, Caio claimed the title for the second year in a row in the top-tier CEI3* 160 km category, riding the 10-year-old chestnut Stud Brasil Itajara (Darike x SN Perestroica) and also earned the Best Condition Award.
José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães and Stud Brasil Itajara |
José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães and Djebel I Endurance |
“We competed again with Stud Brasil Itajara, a horse that has captured everyone’s heart,” Caio said. “In 2023, we won the Haras Endurance International, had our names engraved on the Elizabeth van Schelle Trophy (awarded to riders who finish a 120 or 160 km race), and also took the Roberto Fernandes Trophy for Best Condition—named after the first Brazilian to complete the famous Tevis Cup in 1995. That same year, we won our first 160 km Brazilian Championship at Haras Albar, took individual bronze at the Pan-American Games in Chile, and won the Rach Stud International CEI3* 140 km.”
To cap off a remarkable weekend, Caio also secured second place in the CEI2* 120 km riding Sazira BV (*Azhar Du Barthas x *Arzade Cabirat), owned by Gastão Mesquita. “It was an unforgettable weekend for me and the entire Haras Blue Grass team. These achievements are only possible thanks to the incredible dedication of our team, who work tirelessly every day to keep Haras Blue Grass at the top.”
2023 Pan American Endurance Championship Chile |
2017 Pan American Endurance Championship Uruguay |
Earlier, on July 6th and 7th, the Brazilian Equestrian Endurance Championship (CBEE) and the 3rd Stage of the Brasília Equestrian Endurance Cup were held at Brasília Country Club.
The CBEE featured multiple categories, including:
- Young Horses CEI1* / CEN1* 100 km and CEIYR1* / CENYR 100 km for horses up to 8 years old
- Top Ladies CEI1* / CEN1* 100 km
- Ladies CEN 80 km
- Master CEN 60 km (for riders aged 55 and up)
In the Young Horses category, Caio claimed another title riding Djebel I Endurance (*Djebel Du Barthas x Tarsila Endurance). He was followed by Renato Salvador from Minas Gerais, riding Cazares D'Jok Trio (*D'Jok Py x RT Crysti), and Fernando Gonçalves Costa—race organizer and endurance director from Brasília—on Grand Lion Rach (Lion King Rach x Grace Rach).
José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães and
Zane Gray Endurance |
Caio's career highlights include:
- 3rd place in the FEI Endurance Young Riders World Ranking (2014 & 2017)
- 1st place in the FEI Endurance Young Riders Combination World Ranking (with Zane Gray Endurance, who was 2nd in the Horse World Ranking, 2017)
- Six-time Brazilian National Ranking Champion (CBH – Brazilian Equestrian Confederation)
- Two-time Brazilian National Young Rider Champion (120 km: 2016 with Cabo Frio CSM, and 2017 with Zane Gray Endurance)
- Brazilian Vice Champion in the 120 km Adult Category (2018 with Monalisa CRH)
- Youngest Brazilian rider ever to join the FEI Elite Group
- Champion of the Copa Chile CEI* 80 km YR (2015)
- Three-time member of the Brazilian national team
- Team bronze medal at the 2013 (Team) and 2017 (Individual) Pan American Endurance Championship (Uruguay)
- Individual bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Endurance Championship (Chile)
- Multiple-time State Champion of São Paulo and recipient of the Efficiency Trophy, awarded by the São Paulo Equestrian Federation |
Photos: Cidinha Franzão & courtesy of José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães
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