Behind the Scenes with Piergiorgio Bucci: Preparing Hantano for the European Championships

Making it to the final Sunday of a European Championship isn’t just about raw talent — it’s the result of careful planning, strategic training, and a deep connection between horse and rider. Italian showjumper Piergiorgio Bucci, a seasoned competitor on the international circuit, opened up about his preparation with Hantano, his experienced and reliable partner.

“Preparation always depends on the horse,” Bucci explains. “Hantano is very respectful, he has experience, and he’s had a solid first part of the season.”

Earlier in the year, Hantano competed in several major events, including World Cup qualifiers and trips to Abu Dhabi and Ocala. Rather than keeping him in a continuous competition cycle, Bucci and his team made a calculated decision to give the horse a break — both physically and mentally — ahead of the championships.

“After those shows, we gave him a few weeks off to rest. Then we brought him back with just one smaller show — a two-star — two weeks before coming here. The goal wasn’t to push him, but to get him back into the groove and, most importantly, to lift his spirits a bit. Confidence is really the only thing he needs.”

Rather than focusing on heavy jumping or technical grids, Bucci placed all emphasis on physical conditioning. With access to high-end facilities at his home base in Scuderia Mulcove, he and his team were able to build a tailored fitness program that kept Hantano strong and sharp without overworking him.

“We’ve really focused on his physical shape,” says Bucci. “We’re fortunate to have great facilities at home, including a gallop track, so the main priority was building stamina and fitness. Hantano doesn’t need to jump a lot or do complex exercises. He’s straightforward to manage and makes things easy for me.”

This minimalistic approach to jumping, combined with targeted conditioning work, helped ensure the horse arrived at the championship fresh, fit, and mentally ready. But getting to the show safely and comfortably was just as important as the training at home.

“It’s not the longest trip, but it’s still a journey,” Bucci explains. “We’re used to long travel days, so we planned it carefully. We stopped in Bordeaux overnight and drove during the night, so the horses could travel in cooler temperatures. They arrived here in great shape.”

Bucci also praised the conditions on site, which have made it easier to get the best out of the horses.

“The weather is absolutely ideal — around 25°C and fresh. The horses are comfortable and happy, which makes a big difference in their performance and recovery.”

The road to a championship final is never easy, but for Bucci and Hantano, smart decisions, good teamwork, and thoughtful horse management have paid off. From the early-season planning to the last-minute fitness tweaks and perfectly timed travel logistics, everything was geared toward arriving at this moment in the best possible form.

“We’ve worked hard behind the scenes, but we’ve kept things simple. Hantano doesn’t need much — just to feel good. When he does, he gives you everything.”

Eyes on the Final

Now, after three days of competition, Piergiorgio Bucci and Hantano are heading into Sunday’s FEI European Championship Individual Final with a score of 5.75, currently sitting in 21st place. With the top 25 riders qualifying for the final round, they remain well in contention — and ready to give it everything they’ve got.

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