The 91st edition of the Csio di Roma-Piazza di Siena “Master D’Inzeo” kicked off last night with an amazing overture: in the historic oval of Villa Borghese the maestro Alvise Casellati conducted “Opera Italiana in The Art” with music by Puccini, on the centenary of his death. Free event for the public, as from today access to the races. The polo players who will participate in the tournament in the Galloppatoio paraded on horseback through the city, from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza di Spagna. From this morning, 82 riders will be competing in the international competitions, including 4 from the Top Ten on the FEI computer list and another 11 from the best 30. 17 flags will be represented, 10 of which will be with the team in tomorrow’s Intesa Sanpaolo Nations Cup . Saturday’s tests for the Loro Piana Trophy were spectacular: “small” GP and Six Barriers (110 thousand euros out of a total prize money of a generous 1 million). The competitors were stellar: from the British Olympian Maher to the European champion, the Swiss Guerdat and his multi-titled compatriot Fuchs. Then the Austrian Kuhner, European team bronze, other European champions such as the Swedish aces Bengtsson, Fredricson and Hellstrom, and the “big” Irish Coyle, Sweetnam, Kenny and O’Connor. And again: the Dutch Greve winner of a stage of the Rolex Grand Slam, and other super champions: Edwina Tops-Alexander, Deusser, Staut, Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, Devos and Wathelet. In short, great competition for the 27 Italians, the Cup team starts last tomorrow, therefore favourites: Camilli (with Chacco’s Girlstar), the 21 year old Casadei (Marbella du Chabli), De Luca (Cappuccino194), Martinengo (Delta Del’Isle) , Martian reserve (Lightning). Fise president Di Paola said: “We are fielding three boys who are only 21, 22 years old. And one of them, Giacomo Casadei, was also selected for the Nations Cup. Above all, I wish them to have fun and make us have fun “.
TV: RaiSport live coverage today from 3.30pm, tomorrow from 2.25pm, summary from 6.55pm on Rai 2. All races in live streaming on www.piazzadisiena.it and on https://horseandcountry.tv/liveevents.
