Alvaro de Miranda was born 5 February 1973 in Sao Paulo, Brazil where he began horseback riding with his father at the age of nine. Today Alvaro or Doda as he is affectionately known, is one of the most successful showjumpers in Brazil, having helped to raise the profile of the sport in his home country. When he won a Bronze medal with his team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, it was a first for the nation and one of the most memorable moments of his career.
Doda trained originally with Nelson Pessoa. Doda and his wife Athina Onassis’s company AD Sports Horses was based with Nelson and Rodrigo Pessoa in Belgium until 2010 when he moved them to a purpose built yard in The Netherlands. Doda has won many high-profile classes - the Grand Prix of Geneva, Chantilly, Doha, Bordeaux and La Coruña, and a Silver medal at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara.
The most cherished horses of his career include Penunmbra Baunani, Aspen and Chatwin. He cites his father as his biggest career influences.
