One swallow does not a summer make

And so everybody jumps on the bandwagon. Everybody? No, not us. We don’t dare think that one, albeit important, victory solves all the problems shown in the various stages of the Meydan Nations Cup by the Italy team. As often occurs in our country, one win is enough to make us forget all the troubles. We ask ourselves simply what has happened from the preceding months to make those jump with joy, who in the press room in Piazza di Siena and then their Equestrian Worldpapers of choice ranted about the capacity of the managers, team and horses in our squad. Is it possible that those horses described as ‘ping pong bats’ have now become ‘tennis racquets’? Is it possible that Mr. Markus Fuchs has so many God-given gifts to be able to transform defeat into victory with a simple touch of the Italian riders and horses? If it were so, we would have to name him ‘King Midas of Show Jumping’ or if you prefer ‘Saint Mark the saviour’? No, sorry, we don’t believe it even if the former Swiss rider now Italy coach may possess these gifts because despite the glorious win in Ireland, Italy remain relegated to the second division. (Bruno Delgado)