MARIO ROBBIANO: THOROUGHBREDS BRING BEAUTY INTO POLO SPORT

Owner of a farm that grows rice in the Vercelli area, breeder of thoroughbred horses adapted to the game of polo. These are the activities of Mario Robbiano, who has tried to combine the useful with the amusing: being in contact with his thoroughbreds adapted to this fascinating and tiring sport, in an area of several hectares. A polo player by passion, but with the same ambitions as a professional horseman.

How did this love of polo come about?

I am a sportsman by nature. I have always tried my hand at skiing, tennis and horse riding. In 2004 I accidentally came across a tournament held at a school in Novara and from there I was thunderstruck by Argentine horses. I went to school and after a theoretical and practical exam I got my licence to compete. At that point I bought some South American horses, which have always been considered the best for this discipline.

And how did you arrive at the English thoroughbred?

In 2007, due to a car accident, where I unfortunately had the misfortune of losing my horses, I had the opportunity to see an English thoroughbred that was not beautiful, but which had the movements, agility and stamina suitable for Polo. I was amazed.

And it all started from there?

Initially we tried crossbreeding with the quarter-mile, but the English Thoroughbred is the most beautiful and intelligent horse of all and with great enthusiasm I focused on this incredible and very perceptive breed.

Horses that come from racing?

Yes. At the gallop you can't wait, because they have to perform right away, but I can wait. It takes one to three years to adapt a horse to the pole. But it is worth it. Those who try this discipline never leave it.

So racehorses can be adapted without stress?

The horse's wellbeing comes first. They have to work calmly. It's a really tiring sport and in this sport 70% of the effort is made by the horse, so it must never arrive worn out. A tempo lasts seven actual minutes, made up of sudden sprints and accelerations. A gallop race has shorter times and the race course is at most straight or half curves.

Is it true that professional Argentine players compliment you on how your students look when they see them entering the field?

Yes, it's true they are fascinated and compliment me. It's a great source of pride for me since in South America it is one of the national sports.

Can you tell me broadly the rules of polo?

The main rule is that you only play with your right arm. The cue must only be held on this side. I, who am left-handed, had to change my whole setup. The four reins are held in the left hand, plus the whip, which I hardly ever use, and on the right the cue. The professional is paid by whoever is hired and the rewards are never in money. The higher the goal, the higher the handicap, the more prestigious the tournament. The top of the top is played in Argentina, at the Palermo stadium, a 40-goal competition that we can compare to football's Champions League. In Europe you never get to those levels. Our tournaments are comparable to the Italian Serie C. You play in four. And the numbers on the shirt correspond to these roles: No.1 is the striker, No.2 the director, No.3 the midfielder and No.4 the defender.

Do women play polo?

Yes they do. This year the Polo Ladies have the World Cup to be played in Italy, in Rome.

Who do you collaborate with in the galloping world?

I have contacts with a breeder I really respect like Isabella Bezzera, with trainers like Bruno Grizzetti, from whom I took a daughter of Dark Angel, Saf Ard, and from the Tavazzani brothers, from the latter I took a thoroughbred that had a particular nickname Ombra and Kerry Capanet, to whom I am very close, mares that were much sought after in the environment because they were considered very strong. But I also work with other prestigious trainers.

Do you sometimes go to the Hippodrome?

Certainly, and out of professional deformation I look carefully at who might have the right characteristics for polo. A fixation of mine.

You've never thought about galloping?

Sure, by dint of frequenting it! Next year we'll start with a broodmare I bought from Mrs Bezzera's breeding farm. And I would like to breed her with a stallion, Canto Corale, which also belongs to the stud where the great Federico Tesio used to train.

Can you tell me what kind of relationship you have with your horses?

I fall madly in love with all the horses I buy. If I don't like them, I don't sell them. I have already mourned them once, I could never stand further pain. The beauty of these creatures is too precious to me.