The eleventh edition of San Patrignano’s CSI5*, scheduled to take place in the Community’s equestrian facilities on next July 20-22, presents himself this year after two very important awards. The “Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge” was named Best Outdoor Competition by BCM International and L’Année Hippique, and San Patrignano was recognized by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) for its success in helping drug addicted youth recover and be reintegrated into society, also through the use of professional skills training in various horse related fields.
“In just eleven years our International Horse Show has become one of the top competitions in the world”, explained Giacomo Muccioli, PresideNt of the Organizing Committee. “The awards we have received from FEI and BCM underline the importance of San Patrignano’s equestrian activities. The levels of excellence which have been achieved by the show’s organizational staff, comprised of all 1800 young people of the Community, shows just how effective working with horses can be in terms of recovery from drug abuse”.
Already an impressive list of internationally renowned riders has signed on to participate in the “Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge” Grand Prix, on the final day of competition. From Germany such names as the world’s top ranked rider Meredith Michaels – Beerbaum will be present, along with teammates Ludger Beerbaum (3rd ranked) and Markus Ehning (7th) and current European Champion Marco Kutscher (18th). Also at the starting gates are a top notch group of Swiss riders, lead by Markus Fuchs (5th) and Beat Mandli (9th). From Belgium, Jos Lansink, World Champion at Aachen in 2005 and 21st in the worldwide ranking and from Holland Albert Zoer (6th) and Gerco Schröder (12th). England’s Whitaker brothers Michael (10th) and John (27th) will also be riding for the top spot.
“Seven of the top ten riders on the FEI computer list will be present in July”, said Eleonora Ottaviani, the show’s director for the past 11 years who has worked with Emile Hendrix, technical director, to make the show the world’s best. “Let’s also not forget that countries like Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgium will be competing with the entire line up of the teams with which they will ride at the European Championship at Mannheim”.
This year’s course will be not be designed by Italy’s Marco Cortinovis, who has long been working with San Patrignano, even preparing the field for the 2005 European Championship. Instead, Rolf Ludi and Heiner Fischer from Switzerland, already designers of Zurich’s famed “Top Ten” CSI5*, will put their minds to work on the 9 competitions scheduled to take place enormous grass field. The final day will see a nighttime competition, beginning after 9pm.
Forty riders will be competing for €340,000 in prize money in three classes, placing the CSI firmly among the elite of five star equestrian competitions with the highest prize money and the most challenging courses. On the final day of the event, the “Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge” boasts a €200,000 jackpot.
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