Somma Lombardo International, Paralympic dressage at the starting line

Record breaking numbers for the eleventh edition of the International Parade Dressage Competition “CPEDI 3“ City of Somma Lombardo “(Varese, 15/18 June), presented to the press today at the CONI headquarters in Milan.The 53 horses and eleven registered nations – Austria, Brazil, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Uruguay – bring a real international appeal to the event hosted at Riding Club Casorate Sempione, under the leadership of the Brughiera Equestrian Team.“This is the only manifestation in the world that allows Paralympic riders to participate free of charge,” said Nelly Mancinelli, the face of the event, “It is a celebration of the Paralympic sport and of the athletes that  every day demonstrate that it is possible to turn a disability into an extraordinary skill. I personally thank Diana and Danilo Maestrello, Gaetano Brandini and all the volunteers who, every year for eleven years set up a non-profit event with the sole purpose of celebrating sport, with a human spirit that is out of the ordinary that allows the Italian team to enjoy a healthy time with their foreign colleagues, in an atmosphere of sharing, integration and high sporting value.”Claudio Pedrazzini, counselor CONI Lombardy; Pier Angelo Santelli, President of CIP Lombardy; Simone Perillo, Secretary General FISE; and Emilio Roncoroni, vice president of FISE Lombardy  participated in the Press Conference, beside Nelly Mancinelli and the show director Danilo Maestrello.There are three days left to the tape cut.Among the Italian team are Sara Morganti – grade 1 – three times a continental bronze medal (artistic in 2015 and technical and artistic in 2013) and current world champion of freestyle. Austria will field Pepo Puch – 2nd degree – gold champion in the freestyle at Rio 2016, Current European champion (technical and artistic gold), double silver medal at World Cup 2014. This is his current position compared to a medal total that includes two more European gold medals (earned in 2013) and two medals, one bronze and one gold, in London 2016.France will also send a top-flight mission. This is Jose Letartre – grade 4 – bronze at the 2013 European Championships, both in the technical and freestyle.Danilo Maestrello, show director: “Fifteen medals are pending assignment,“I want to thank, for their participation, CIP and CONI, the Secretary General and the face of the event,“Of the eleven participating nations, five will be on the field for the team challenge. The programme of event includes, in addition to the international meeting, the Italian championships and a stage of the Coppa Italia, for a total of 15 podiums. I thank all the sponsors who have intervened in support of our event and, in general, support the paradressage.“Gaetano Brandini, CPEDI organizer committee of Somma Lombardo: “The welcome comes first,“We have also fought this year to keep the spirit of this competition that has always put the value of friendship and shared passion to the fore. Participants are not numbers, but have a name and surname. They are our exceptional guests, who reserve the utmost hospitality even outside the rectangle.”Daniele Rosa, Communication Manager, Bayer Italia: “Standing beside disability,“This event is a unique opportunity to show the willingness of Bayer, the main sponsor of CPEDI, to be close to the world of social, youth and disability. Rewarding and supporting young, athletic athletes who practice high-level riding can only be an honor for us.“Ferdinando Acerbi, national selector of the national Paralympic dressage team, “This is our Piazza di Siena,“I find myself for the first time on the other side of the barricade as a team picker. The Somma Lombardo International is an important event that personally compares to Piazza di Siena, in terms of importance and numbers. It is worth noting the value of the competition program: joining the international and Italian championships gives visibility to the beginner and at the same time allows less experienced participants to test international air,“I would like to thank the organizing committee, all of whom are present, particularly Federico Lunghi, today representing the athletes, and Chiara Fabi. I’m still crossing my fingers!“Emilio Roncoroni, vice president of FISE Lombardia: “A high profile event,“Our region is proud to be able to host a contest that historically represents an important benchmark for the greatest challenge of Paralympic dressage. Last year there were the Olympics, this year the European Championship in Gothenburg. We are in a place that boasts a strong equestrian culture, just think that Federico Euro Roman with his brother Mauro, Marina Sciocchetti and Anna Casagrande, of the team of the last individual Olympic medal and teams for the overall discipline come from here.”
(Italy won silver and Federico Euro Roman became individual Olympic champion in Moscow ’80.)Claudio Pedrazzini, Counselor CONI Lombardia: “CONI is near Somma with heart,“I am grateful to President Oreste Perri, today in Rome at CONI, and I take the opportunity to share a thought shared with him about the CPEDI of Somma Lombardo. I believe that the logo of this event encloses in itself the message of excellence: “With heart and will“. A few words that represent the mission of CONI, present today next to the Paralympic event, which declares itself to the service with just as much heart and will.“Pier Angelo Santelli, president of CIP Lombardia: “CIP in support of the event,“I personally endeavor to support, not only in words, all the sacrifices Danilo Maestrello and his team have been meeting to keep alive this event, nowadays the only international paraplegic dressage in Italy. It’s a show that deserves all our support.“Simone Perillo, Secretary General FISE: “Italy’s Paralympics deserve important results“.“I am happy to be here with you, my first time in Lombardy. I got to know about the paralympics in Rio, immediately understanding the sporting and social value that deserves all the sponsorship needed for athletes to achieve the most prestigious results. I am happy to see a substantial participation by sponsors and volunteers. I would like to congratulate the face of the event and the organizing committee.“(Photo © Guia Pavese)