Not everyone is capable of marking their Piazza di Siena debut by winning a class. Antonio Maria Garofalo did just that winning the two phase 1.45m Safe Riding class inaugurating day two of the Rome CSIO at the Galoppatoio in eVilla Borghese.

Antonio Garofalo riding Presley degli Assi rode a fast and clear round in 24.36 seconds for phase two and was followed by Under 25 rider Guido Franchi (0; 24.41) on Quixotic D.C. for a one-two that was entirely Italian since both horses were born and bred in Italy.

“I really wanted this win – said 31-year-old Garofalo – and with a little help from lady luck we won. I was in the right mood to face a day that includes tough qualifications for the Grand Prix. Presley degli Assi is an 8-year-old Italian bred horse and he jumped really well this morning. These are his first top-level shows, but he is performing beautifully. Yesterday we finished third in the opening class (Class no.1 DeNiroBootCo 1.45m) and today’s win confirms that he will be an excellent horse for future sporting events."

Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts riding Miro (0; 24.57) finished third while the final ‘top five’ saw Anotnio’s younger brother Giampiero Garofalo finishing fourth riding Verde Z (0; 24.68) and Emanuele Gaudiano and Kingston van het Eikenhof (0; 24.75) in fifth place.

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