The 'pass' for the Rome Horse Show has been traditionally awarded to the medallists in the 2024 Italian Absolute Jumping Championships held at Le Siepi in Cervia last weekend.

They are Giulia Martinengo Marquet, Massimo Grossato and Giuseppe Rolli, who respectively won gold, silver and bronze medals.

Giulia Martinengo Marquet won her third national title, this time riding Calle Deluxe. For the best lady rider in Italy of, this year will mark her 17th participation at Piazza di Siena, where she made her debut in 2005. In 2018, the nation’s cherished Giulia with Verdine SZ was part of the winning team at the Nations Cup. She obtained another two victories in the Villa Borghese oval, one in 2015 and another in 2011.

“When you are competing, you always hope to do well,” Giulia Martinengo Marquet warmly said, “especially in a championship. I knew I could count on a horse that was up to the task and that by riding well I could have my say. Of course, the gold medal is the icing on the cake of two fantastic days. It is my third title won in this championship, this time with Calle Deluxe who jumped very well... I cannot be happier than that. Now however,” she concluded, “our concentration goes straight to Gorla Minore for next week's Nations Cup CSIO of the EEF series ... this will be our preparation for Piazza di Siena”.

Massimo Grossato returns for the 12th time to Piazza di Siena where he made his debut in 2001. Grossato, born in 1975 will turn 49 during the CSIO on May 25; for him a second and third place in the Nations Cup in 2002 and 2004.

Giuseppe Rolli, born in 1978, is the welcome surprise of the Cervia Championships, which allowed him to return to Piazza di Siena after fifteen years, even though this is his 14th participation in the Rome CSIO where he made his debut at a very young age, when he just 18, in 1995. Fun fact: Giuseppe Rolli will have his birthday on the same day as Grossato, on May 25, so he too will celebrate during the CSIO.

Ph. FISE/S.Isler