20 September 2017
Palmanova: full success for a test driving event
The International 2* Driving Competition in Northern Italy, 60 Km NW of Lipiça, was organized by the Italian Cavalry Association as part of an Equestrian Happening lasting 3 weeks and comprising also a Simulated Fox Hunt and a Three Day Event. The occasion was the centennial of the glorious cavalry charge of the brigade Pozzuolo del Friuli during World War 1 which was rewarded with the military gold medal and represents now the annual Cavalry celebration.
Luca Cassottana
Photo: Valeria Nicolis
The location is definitely unrivalled: a nine-pointed star-shaped fortress town, conceived as an inexpugnable defensive system, featuring three defense lines, the first two erected in Venetian times, the third one under Napoleon. Surrounded by perfectly preserved 7 km-long fortifications, it is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. This was the scenario of the competitions taking place along the ramparts, with a close-up bird’s eye view of the arenas and of all the obstacles from just one spot to satisfy … even the laziest spectators!
In spite of heavy rains a couple of days before the dressage, the arena kept up really well: no mud, no puddles, with only maybe a little bit heavier going which accounts in general for not striking dressage marks. The more experienced drivers had little problems, as demonstrated by Young Driver Ann-Christin Leeser from Germany with her single pony, who scored only 55,61 penalties in dressage and put down the only clear round in cones. In any case each dressage test was a pleasure to watch since every competitor had the opportunity to chose among thousands of tunes the own preferred background music to accompany his or her performance, thanks to very well organized speaker and sound expert Martina Chizzoli.
The judges’ panel was the best the international scene can offer, with A. Counsell, President of the Jury of the Championship in Lipiça, J. Medina, President at the European Four-in-Hand Championship in Goteborg and S. Mullins, one of the most coveted FEI judges. In spite of their high level, they were all very compliant by judging all classes, starting from the lowest level national competitors. They all agreed that it was a small but very well organized competition, thanks to the highly competent AFAC-Team of local amateur drivers and to the conspicuous group of soldiers fulfilling all possible tasks. As to the surroundings there is only one definition: gorgeous! And the food? Simply delicious Italian!
Compliments for the professional approach were extended by the Jury to the qualified stewards from Hungary and Austria, to the Italian technical officers, TD Roland Morat and CD Gabriele Panier Suffat and to the Event Secretary Valeria Nicolis.
Section A of the marathon was rather testing, with up-and-downs along the ramparts. Section B instead was easier on the horses, since the obstacles were built taking into consideration the general level of the drivers, divided into national and international classes in order to make the competition affordable. A more technical layout would be the goal if the participation at future editions will attract a palette of high level athletes from abroad. The few foreigners who ventured to this unknown location were enthusiastic and are already asking the date of next year’s event to fix it in their agenda.
The prize-giving took place in town, in the hexagonal central square, with all the civilian and military authorities as well as the Head of the Driving Department of the National Federation. Trotting proudly with their national flag towards the main square a few turnouts were happy to represent them all while the remaining competitors converged on foot, with a 1 Km walk that gave everybody the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of a town dating far back in time. Winner of the Single Horse class was Italian driver Luca Cassottana, in the Pairs the best performance was offered by Giorgio Proietti, while Giulia Arreghini in the Single Pony and Emilio Gamba in the Pony Pairs had the best results. German Young Driver Ann-Christin Leeser won the prize for the best performance in the show and emerging Junior Sara Bombelli for the excellent performance as the youngest competitor.
The test competition was a success, thus the hope, in order to keep up the quality and running of the event, is to attract in the future as many competitors as possible with the convincement that they would not regret it. If a feedback from abroad will show interest in participating, a convenient date earlier in the year will be set as soon as possible.
Elvezia Ferrari
