Endurance born on the fourth of July

It may have been a celebrated movie starring Tom Cruise and directed by Oliver Stone but it is also the date for an endurance event in Italy.The 4th of July will mark the day of the Italian Endurance championship 2009 at Gubbio, the last chance for those aspiring to participate in the European Championships. Italy will be out to reclaim the title which was one by Belgian rider Karin Boulanger on Poespass, last year.There are certainly plenty of homegrown competitors out there including Simona Garatti – Z’Tadore Al Maury, who recently took part in the CEIO in Compiègne. However, Martina Lui, Italy’s number one in the FEI ranking at the end of 2008 will not be there and either will Fausto Fiorucci who is recovering from injury.All eyes will be on Patrizia Giacchero on India, who won in 2007; Carletto Bertoni on El Jamila, who has enjoyed good form at Gubbio in the past.The event will get under way on Saturday, July 4th at 5am beside the Piazzale delle Giostre.