ENDURANCE: IN CITTA' DELLA PIEVE THE FIRST LEG FOR MASAF YOUNG HORSES

Last weekend, in the splendid natural setting of the Valdichiana, the 8th edition of the Raid Città della Pieve di Endurance was held, organised by the ASD Wild Horse of Monteleone d'Orvieto.

Despite the less than ideal weather conditions, especially on Saturday, more than 200 pairs from all over Italy (including the islands!) and some from abroad gathered in the Umbrian town to compete in their race, choosing from 5 categories on Saturday and 6 on Sunday.

As we were saying, the conditions were adverse, but as Pier Luigi Grassi, inspector and judge of the MASAF who followed the horses and riders closely on both days, said, ‘The competitions I've done in good weather all blend together in my memory: you remember a heroic day like those you experience in the saddle in the rain all your life’.

Caterina Coppini will certainly remember it, as she and Zirmo de Piné were the first to cross the finish line of the 160 km. She also won the prize for the ‘Best Condition’ of her horse, a product of Mattia Cadrobbi's de Piné stud farm. In the end, only one second separated the winner from Camilla Curcio from Piedmont on Synphonik dei Laghi and the handshake between the two riders immediately after the finish emphasised the great sportsmanship of the competition.

An all-female podium for the CEIY J2* 120 km: Giorgia Paganini with Glinkaya Cabirat finished almost a minute ahead of Gloria Tinaburri and Nukaib Bosana, and a further few seconds ahead of Aurora Sirtori and Mogadiscio Bosana, an Anglo-Arab with a beauty that steals your heart.

Pietro Villa with Gladiator Larzac won the CEI2* 120 km, with Giada Tresoldi with Atlan and Lucia Francenici with Lupinetta behind him.
The CEI1* 100 km saw Daniel Braido and Plundiss di Bienn victorious over Marco Moca and Oron Bosana, with Carolina Tavassoli Asli and Armaan del Conero in third place, Best Condition on this podium.

Giada Neri and CM Iris Ruella won the CEIYJ1* 100 km, with silver going to Lucrezia Ceccaroni and Anitza Armor and bronze to Matilda Bricchi with Naxos Bosana AA. The Best Condition in this category was Nashi dei Laghi, who under the saddle of Martina Alioli came 4th.

On Sunday the sun came out and did its best to dry the mud, the undisputed protagonist of this weekend in Pieve.

And having to choose, it's just as well it turned out this way: because it was the day dedicated to less experienced riders and young horses, the object of particular attention for Masaf and Anica.

From 20 km upwards, up to CEN B 84 km, more than 120 pairs of horses took part in the routes designed by Mimmo Fratini and Davide Trincia.
The courses crossed 4 municipalities, thanks to the network of dirt roads and paths – some of them historical, such as the Via Germanica Romea – of which Umbria is still rich.

Sunday was also the day of the Anica awards and the 1st Stage of the Masaf Young Horses. Balakik in the 20 km, Zenzola Filomena in the 40 km and Daje Pieffe in the 84 km took first place in this special classification.

Daje Pieffe was also the Best Condition among the 84 km starters, as was Ego Agylla in the 40 km under the saddle of Paolo Campetella and Ermolli del Mejlogu in the 40 km with Elettra Sassi.

All under the careful observation of inspector Masaf Pier Luigi Grassi who also explained the competition mechanism: 
"It's the first stage of the year in which our young horses compete against each other, in a circuit that lasts a year, divided into 6 stages throughout Italy. And where in the end we'll see the champions among the 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds. We reward breeders who bring their products to the sport, whether it be Dressage or Show Jumping, Endurance or Working Equitation or Eventing.