The race for the World Championship

Submitted by simona on 29 July 2010 - 15:59

There will be eleven Italian riders competing at San Patrignano this year, alll hoping to convince trainer Markus Fuchs to take them to the World Championships.

Govoni Without a doubt the most anticipated of the lot is Gianni Govoni, 26th in the FEI world ranking and arguably the most memorable rider in last year’s show, as he won three of nine classes on Love Affair. There are great expectations for Govoni, but he is cautious, stating “I hope I do well, but it will be hard to repeat last years’ success. This year, because of an injury, Love Affair is not with me. I will be riding Aboyeur W and Little Tinka, both good horses that I have not been riding for long. I rode well with Aboyeur at the Nation’s Cup in Rome, and I really do hope to do well at this amazing show, because of the organization and beauty of it”.

Govoni is the highest ranked Italian rider to compete at San Patrignano, cracking the top thirty.
What’s the secret to maintaining such a his position? “Just training”, replied Govoni, “This means riding the horses you compete with, but also the ones that are in training so that they come up well”.
Even with this high ranking, he doesn’t take his participation in the World Championship for granted, “I am sure our trainer will decide who to take to the Championships after San Patrignano and the Italian Championships. It would please me very much to be able to compete there if my horse is in shape and is able to compete. I’d really only like to ride if I know I have a chance of placing”.

Govoni will compete at San Patrignano with two horses owned by Argentinian football star Hernan Crespo. Does he enjoy riding? “No, he is a good owner and we have a good rapport, but he does not ride. It would not be wise for him to do so, as he still is a professional athlete and any injury would be a problem”.

Another rider who will certainly enjoy competing at San Patrignano is Natale Chiaudani, 55th in the FEI world ranking. For him, every class is a chance to get to know his new horse Corradio – H.O., “I sold Seldana, my first horse, and now Corradio will have to take her place. I have come to really care for this horse, and I think he feels the same way, as we have already done well in important shows together. We’ve been together for too short a time to really be considered a tea, as of yet. It is not easy to find the right horse and I think this iso ne of the important factors that affect anyone’s ciance of competing at the World Championships”.

What are your goals for the San Patrignano CSI5*? “I’ll be riding Corradio in the most important classes. I hope I do well, considering that the courses are never easy there. Up until now the season has been going well, so I hope to continue”.