Back to competition and first impressions for Lorenzo De Luca

The CSI5* of A Coruña marked Lorenzo De Luca’s return to top-level competition after a period away from five-star events. A comeback approached with enthusiasm and balance, without rushing the process, and with immediately positive feelings.

“I feel really good, I’m clearly very happy to be back in the saddle,” says the Italian rider. “Everything was managed in the right way. As soon as I was able to start physiotherapy, I got moving again, and having a strong team around me made a big difference.”

During his time away from top-level competition, the work at the stable never stopped. The horses continued training consistently, allowing De Luca to find them ready when he returned. “The horses kept training with a young rider in Belgium, so when I came back they were already in a good routine. That helped me a lot.”

Finding the rhythm again

The first weeks back were mainly about readjusting and regaining routine. “At the beginning I was a bit rusty, which is normal,” De Luca explains. “But after the first two weeks, things started to feel better quite quickly.”

A key step came during the shows in Oliva, Spain, where he was able to compete several horses and gradually increase his workload. “When I went to Oliva with a good number of horses, I really started to feel better. Physically, my body responded very well, which was important.”

Daily work and physical preparation

While confidence in the saddle was never an issue, the main challenge was returning to full daily intensity. “The biggest difficulty was getting my body ready again to ride eight or nine horses a day,” he admits. “While I wasn’t riding, I focused a lot on coaching, following the riders who were working with my horses and my clients’ horses.”

That period also proved useful from a technical perspective. “I never had any confidence issues on horseback. The horses were ready — I just had to put everything back together around me as a rider.”

A Coruña: the first real five-star test

The CSI5* in A Coruña represented the first real test back at five-star level. A test that delivered encouraging signs, especially with Mangoon. “It was my first five-star show after the break, and Mangoon really made a big step forward,” says De Luca.

In Sunday’s World Cup class, the pair delivered a solid performance despite a small unlucky mistake. “There was a bit of bad luck, but I was really happy. Mangoon gave me a lot of confidence.”

Mangoon’s development into a top-level horse

Mangoon is a horse De Luca knows well and with whom he is building a clear long-term project. “He’s been in my stable for more than a year. Cian O’Connor sent him to me to start riding him,” he explains.

Over the course of the season, Mangoon’s development has been steady and impressive. “This year he’s made incredible progress — he jumped four-star shows, 1.55m classes, then I took him to Monaco in July as my second horse. Now he’s really stepped up as my main five-star horse.”

A progression that naturally brings high expectations. “I have big expectations for him. We’ll see how things go, but I really believe in him.”

Goals and plans ahead

Looking ahead, De Luca’s focus is already on the next major appointments. “I’ll be competing in London next week,” he says, “and then we’ll move into the most important part of the season, with the Nations Cups and the World Championship.”

The objective is clear: to return consistently to the highest level and to build a solid future with Mangoon looking toward the 2026 season — step by step, with confidence and a strong foundation.

Valentina Sozzi –

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