The longest running galloping competition in Italy is back, with the competition The most beautiful hat for Corri la Vita
Thursday 25 April, at the Visarno Hippodrome “Cesare Meli” (piazzale delle Cascine, 29) we run the history of the gallop. He comes back with his 197th edition there “Arno Race”, there Italy’s longest running galloping competition. Institutionalized since 1827 as the Arno Prize, it had already come to life some time ago as a challenge between enthusiasts not only from Tuscany, but also from France, Russia and England at the time of the prosperous Grand Duchy.
After almost two centuries, the Florentine racecourse managed by the Meli family keeps tradition strongnot without a “British” touch given by the collaboration with the Il Cappello Consortium of Florence and thanks to which the “The most beautiful hat for Corri la Vita” competition. An event within an event, that of the competition, an elegant challenge with veils and wide brims for ladies and the little ones, with the aim of raise funds for “Corri la vita”, the association led by Eleonora Frescobaldi, committed to helping women affected by breast cancer and financing projects for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Sport, fashion, solidarity, therefore, but also worldliness. The 197th edition of the Corsa dell’Arno, in fact, will see as always a program full of events.
The gates are set to open at 12.30pm (entrance ticket €5, free for children). Godmother of the event is Miss Italy, who will parade on the track with the authorities and will be available for souvenir photos with the public. Going into the details of the program, the gallop show will begin at 3pm with seven high-level races for Thoroughbreds and Anglo-Arabians. The day will also offer the Pony Championship stage for children and teenagers. The climax will come with the Corsa dell’Arno, scheduled for 6pm.
The “The most beautiful hat for Corri la Vita” competition will be held starting from 4pm on the terrace of the racecourse and will see the most elegant and imaginative hats competing. To participate there is a minimum contribution of €10, entirely donated to Corri la Vita (also part of the proceeds from the entrance tickets to the racecourse will go to the Florentine non-profit organization). The first three ladies in the “Elegance” and “Creativity” categories will be awarded; the “Junior” category is reserved for children. The prizes up for grabs are made available by sponsors such as Starhotel, Dreoni, WTB hotels, Angela Caputi, Dr. VRANJES and many others.
Among the collateral initiatives, after last year’s success, the pop-up bar of the Twiga Beach Club returns: a Twiga-branded beach created at the racecourse and animated by the DJ set of Stefano Carpi, resident at the famous Versilia club.
For reading lovers, the meeting with Pietro Santetti, who debuted in the world of literature in 2022 with “Men of Horses” after 24 years of equestrian competitions. Santetti immediately won a special prize at the prestigious Viareggio-Rèpaci, 2023 edition.
Between a run, a book and a drink, it will be possible to taste the specialties prepared by the food trucks present (Batoni, Pizza Pig and Crazy Horse) which will range from sweet to savory.
For the little ones there will be the opportunity to admire, caress and photograph the horses, thanks also to the collaboration of the mounted department of the municipal police of Florence. Hat workshops and special entertainment activities are also reserved for children.
Alongside fun, the social contribution that the Corsa dell’Arno wants to make plays an important role this year. On the one hand there is the collaboration with the Defender Trotting Association, which deals with the relocation of racehorses at the end of their careers. On the other, the one with the Anti-Usury Listening Center of the Misericordia of Rifredi, which works to promote responsible gaming.
In case of rain, the “The most beautiful hat for Corri la Vita” competition and all the activities can be carried out indoors. The Visarno gates will be open at 12.30, with the races starting at 3. ‘Arno will leave at 6pm. The competition “The most beautiful hat for Corri la Vita” at 4pm.
