NEWS

The goal has been achieved. In its ‘second season’ - actually the first ‘real’ one considering the 3* debut behind closed doors during the pandemic in 2020 - the Frecciarossa Milano Jumping Cup has now achieved the most wanted and ‘fought for’ results as far as popularity was concerned, hence enthusiasm and participation among both Milanese citizens and tourists over three days of international show jumping.

Especially over the weekend, thousands of people decided to take advantage of the hospitality offered by the organisers – Snaitech, Rcs Sport, Sport e Salute and the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation – for a  'British' day out with picnics of the grass and in the shadow of the trees, with many children free to rush around in specific areas surrounding  the arena of the Milan 4* show.

With competitors including stars of the show jumping world - from the leader of the Fei world ranking Martin Fuchs to London 2012’s gold medal winner Steve Guerdat and Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano, Bruno Chimirri, Filippo Bologni and Emilio Bicocchi, winner of the Snaipay and Vargroup Prizes – and top-level show jumping, the Frecciarossa Milano Jumping Cup passed the test posed by this edition of the three-day show with flying colours.

This proved that this 4* show was effectively a test event for the 2023 FEI European Championships and that as far as this sport is concerned at a beginners’ level it was an excellent advertisement for riding in a region that has the highest number of registered riders in Italy. This was the goal for Sport and Salute and the FISE’s most ‘natural’ mission.

The San Siro Racecourse once again confirmed its centrality as a place for socialising and hosting sports of great ductileness in the Milanese area , being able, among other things, to change its appearance rapidly and host equestrian competitions as well as races in the short space of a few hours - as happened last Saturday - thus increasing the entertainment on offer for the thousands of people present.

There were many VIPs in the luxury corporate and hospitality area. In addition to the many important top managers – ranging from Giorgio Armani’s deputy CEO Giuseppe Marsocci to Inter’s manager Alessandro Antonello and PWC’s CEO Giovanni Andrea Toselli, Beiersdorf’s General Manager Andrea Mandoni and Frecciarossa’s CEO Pietro Diamantini – there was also RCS Mediagroup’s and Torino Football Club’s president Urbano Cairo seat at the MJC’s VIP tables.

They were accompanied by Lombardy’s most important institutional representatives, ranging from the city’s Mayor Beppe Sala and Councillor for Sport Martina Riva as well as the region’s Governor Attilio Fontana.

There was no lack of sporting legends such as Daniele Massaro, former canoeing Olympic champion Antonio Rossi – now the region’s under-secretary – 'lioness' Francesca Schiavone, winner of Roland Garros in 2010 or bronze medallist in the Olympic short track relay Tommaso Dotti.

It was very moving when the legend and equestrian hero from Milan Graziano Mancinelli’s son, Marco Mancinelli, arrived and entered the arena to present the Trophy named after his father, paying homage to the greatness of a rider who made history in the relationship between human beings and horses.

Photo La Presse