CSIO Gorla Minore, Azzurrini junior team overwhelming at the Nations Cup

The return of the youth CSIO to Italy after several years’ absence has been celebrating these days at Gorla Minore, with the Equieffe Equestrian Center and the organising committee doing great work to impress both competitors and spectators.
The big event was attended by the President of the Italian Equestrian Federation, Marco Di Paola, who hailed the Italian junior team winning the Nations Cup after an exciting performance (in the picture with red jackets).
The winners are Elisa Ottobre, born in 2000 and member of Region Lazio as her stable team-mates Alessandra Bonifazi, Alessandro Fontana and European title holder of this category, Francesco Correddu.
The two debutants, Elisa Ottobre and Alessandro Fontana, were the revelations of the day: the first one was the forerunner of her team and clinched a clear first round aboard of Cadanz. Fontana, trained by Gianni Govoni and third to go in the class, ended with the third consecutive clear of his team atop of Corphina, just to spare a further go to his team-mate Francesco Correddu on Necofix. In the middle, another clear first round was achieved by Alessandra Bonifazi with Intrigo.
The second round was also competed at high level by the Azzurrini, who only had 4 penalties with Elisa Ottobre. Alessandro Fontana clinched his second clear round of the day atop of Corphina, while Francesco Correddu with Necofix did not risk too much and got only one penalty for going beyond time limit, bringing the team’s total to five penalties.
Second place was Spain with 13 penalties: Carlos Lange Fraile on Flying Pleasure, Sira Martinez Cullell on Rialto de L’Esques, Nerea Garaygordobil Marrero with Datina and Diego Ramos Maneiro riding Texas de Trebompe.
France ended third, after dominating the first stages of the Nations Cup. The Blues also won the pony and children categories, but they couldn’t do anything to defeat the Azzurri junior team at their top shape.
The French junior team collected 21 penalties featuring Leonore LaVille on Tanagra de la Roche (0/0), Jade Real del Sarte with Quirico de Marchesana (8/8 rejected), Ramatou Ouerago atop of Consul de Vie Z (12 rejected/1) and Tom Dellenbach with Bacchus du Val (8/4).
It was a great sport celebration at the Equieffe Equestrian Center and President Emanuele Fiorelli was happy for the success of the event.
Also FISE President Marco Di Paola was satisfied for the achievement of the Azzurri team, which not only demonstrates the top form of the youngsters and the horses but also of the trainers working with them.
The good impression the event made on the FEI representants also set the stage for the creation of a bigger youth event, but not before 2019-2010 when FEI is appointing the next Youth European Championships to the aspirant hosting venues.
MC hsj