Italy Promotes Carriage Driving with New CAI Verolanuova
SportAlthough Verolanuova has long been a well-known name within various equestrian disciplines — including carriage driving — this year marked the very first edition of an international driving competition at the venue. And the result was impressive.
At the grounds of Scuderie San Giorgio, the facilities, arenas, and marathon obstacles have all been extensively renovated. Significant investments have been made with the ambition of further developing the event over the coming years.
The successful FEI World Championship Four-in-Hand Horses held in Pratoni del Vivaro in 2022 clearly helped boost enthusiasm for the sport in Italy, partly thanks to the strong performances of Italy’s leading driver Luca Cassottana.
Particular attention is currently being given to youth driving in Italy. A considerable amount of time and financial support is being invested in a talented group of young drivers aiming to qualify for the European Youth Driving Championships. Many of these promising competitors were present in Verolanuova throughout the weekend.
Not Overshadowed by CAI Saumur
The organisers were unfortunate to share the same weekend as the international competition in Saumur, but despite this, the event still attracted entries from eight different countries: Italy, Monaco, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, and Germany.
National classes were also held alongside the international competition, creating a varied and well-filled programme throughout the weekend.
Plenty of Ambition
With Luca Cassottana, Italy appears to have a strong contender for this year’s FEI World Championship Four-in-Hand Horses in Aachen. Cassottana won two of the three phases during the weekend and claimed overall victory in the four-in-hand horses class.
Swiss driver Bruno Widmer was equally dominant in pairs (horses), winning two phases and taking the overall victory in that class. His compatriot Leonhard Risch won the single horse class.
According to Mauro Bertocchi, owner of equestrian centre San Giorgio, the goal is for the competition to become a permanent fixture on the international calendar and continue growing in quality and size over the coming years. One thing is certain: the organisers are not lacking in enthusiasm.
Source: Hoefnet, reproduction without permission via info@hoefnet.nl is not permitted
