Paralympic stars attend Earth Day event

Francesca Salvadè and Antonella Canevaro have been celebrating Earth Day, “A horse is a major figure in sport and life. We a responsibility to them.
“Horse riding has great values such as sociality, respect for the horse, nature and the environment. The horse is the greatest friend of Earth, has accompanied man in its evolution and today transmits important teachings such as respect for oneself, humility, and sense of responsibility. The horse is a major figure sport and life. “
This is what Paralympic athlete Francesca Salvadé, who took part at London 2012 and Rio 2016, has to say at the press conference at “The Village for the Earth“.
The initiative, headed by Earth Day Italia, Focolare Movement and the Ministry of the Environment, is part of the world’s biggest Earth Day.
The Villa Borghese Jumping arena hosted four days, in collaboration with Coni, a sports resort, to spread environmental and culture information among children and young people.
The FISE Lazio Regional Committee set up a “Pony Life“ area that, following the coordination of Fiona Hollis, put together numerous workshops aimed at children: Pony App, Pony chef, Emotipony and Pony Baptism were only a few of the activities that have attracted an exceptional interest amongst families.
Those present were able to meet Paralympic athletes Francesca Salvadè and Antonella Canevaro.
“Disability spurs us every day to reach our goals. Thanks to the loving horse we can dream great. We are special athletes and we are pursuing a special goal,“ said Antonella Canevaro, who is now an Azzurri international rider.
“Paraplegic dressage athletes Salvadè and Canevaro were paramount,“ commented Fiona Hollis, head of Fise Lazio. “We loved the series of activities that brought out the relationship with the pony, compared to the classic ride. Families immediately recognized the importance of their children’s interaction with the pony, which was referred to as an animal of affection.”
Hollis went on to say that Paralympics proved to be decisive in spreading the role of the horse as a “social leveler“, allied to life as well as sport. How to be alive and to love.“
Daniela Cursi