Fieracavalli Jumping Verona: 25 years of highlights superstars

From the moment the Italian leg of the FEI Jumping World Cup™ arrived in Verona, back in 2001, it has been a wonderful success story

Combining world-class showjumping with the tradition and excitement of the Fieracavalli – arguably the world’s biggest annual horse fair which celebrates its 128th edition this year – has been the perfect recipe. And this edition is no exception, with 2,400 horses representing 60 breeds and 35 breeding associations joining in the feast of equestrian excellence during which 700 companies from 25 countries will exhibit their wares across the 12 halls of Veronafiere. 


From 5 to 8 November 2026 the CSI5*-W showjumping action will take place in Hall 8, the Pala Range Rover, and on Sunday next the main feature of the week will be the battle for points in the third leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ series. For all the riders and horses this will be the culmination of a busy weekend, and a chance to place their names amongst many of the greats that have gone before them.

Roll of champions
Belgian Olympian Stanny van Paesschen was the very first winner in the City of Love with O de Pomme 25 years ago, and the Roll of Honour has since been filled by many of the most distinguished partnerships in the sport.

Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa was only two years away from clinching Olympic gold when topping the podium with Lianos in 2002, while Dutchman Albert Zoer was one of the most popular winners of his era with the high-stepping Oki Doki who was much-adored by the Verona crowd when victorious in both 2005 and 2007.

It was a big moment for Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker when he reigned supreme with Insultech Amai in 2009 because his legendary brother, John, had twice won the Italian leg when it was staged in Bologna in 1997 and 2000.

In 2014, the crowd went wild when Bertram Allen steered his brilliant little mare Molly Malone V to victory. Like many others that had gone before him this Verona success would firmly mark the young Irishman’s arrival at the top end of the sport.

The following year Frenchman Simon Delestre posted the first of his two wins with another little hero of a horse, Hermes Ryan who came back to do it again six years later. The Swedish superstars Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward headed the line-up in 2022 on their way to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2023 and 2024 while Scott Brash and Ben Maher posted two of Great Britain’s five Verona successes.

However it is Germany that holds the record for most wins over the quarter-century of thrilling competition at the Italian fixture with six in total including at both of the last two editions.

The first lady 
Sophie Hinners made history when she was first-ever female winner of the Italian leg of the series in 2024. It was an exceptional result in her first season competing consistently at 5* level, and in only her second World Cup qualifier and her very first jump-off with Iron Dames My Prins. Once again Verona was highlighting massive potential.

This summer she won World Championship team gold alongside Daniel Deusser who stole the Verona spotlight 12 months ago. And that was another watershed moment.

At the time, Deusser was still on a learning curve with the 11-year-old stallion Otello de Guldenboom. Seven years earlier he had brought the Italian crowd to their feet with a breath-taking win with Calisto Blue, and it was a joy to do it once again.

But it was also an indication of what was to come with this horse during this season when Otello was runner-up at the World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Texas before Deusser joined Hinners, Richard Vogel and Marcus Ehning to take that World Championship team gold in Aachen in August.

With a perfectly balanced mix of sport, shopping and entertainment the Fieracavalli and the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ continue to create a key event for the global equestrian industry that highlights the best of the best. So don’t miss a hoofbeat.

Ph Stefano Secchi

© Rights Reserved.