The American Karl Cook on Caracole de La Roque was awarded the Rolex Grand Prix Rome – and he also took home the prestigious one “Piero and Raimondo d’Inzeo” Trophy – at the CSIO in Piazza di Siena with two clear routes and an amazing 38.27 in the second heat. Cook had never previously competed in Piazza di Siena, but immediately hit the mark. Thus the “stars and stripes” flag of the United States returned to fly in the Oval of Villa Borghese eight years after the success of McLain Ward. He took second place in the Rome Grand Prix the Austrian Max Kühner on Elektric Blue P, which trailed by just 20 cents the Swedish rider Petronella Andersson about Odina Van Klapscheut. However, the performance of the Azzurri was disappointing Giulia Martinengo Marquet on Delta Del’Isle only in fifteenth place and Nico Lupino on Iniesta in the twenty-third. Karl Cook he learned to ride a horse on the family ranch, Pomponio, in San Diegowhere he has been working with the French champion for 12 years Eric Navet. Current US number 1 in the FEI Ranking, in which he is 30th overall, the 33-year-old Californian was quite surprised after this exploit: «The mare is only in her second Grand Prix, but today she was perfect, easy-going, balanced in all the turns and responsive to every stress. My participation in Rome will certainly remain unforgettable.”
«A successful team effort»
Meanwhile, the event in Piazza di Siena, now in its 91st edition, achieved great success among the public, related industries and media coverage with record numbers. There were over 56 thousand spectators in four days (with an increase compared to 2023 of +12%), almost 600 horses involved, 202 athletes competing, 30 countries are represented in the circuit. About 2.5 million views on official social channels (+60% compared to 2023), almost 150 thousand interactions (+58% compared to 2023) and well 66,000 followers achieved (+15% compared to 2023). The turnover figure is eloquent, which was 4.3 million euros (doubled compared to 2018). «It is one of the events in which structures and nature are best combined, and all this is the result of magnificent work – he commented Marco Mezzaromamaking his debut in Piazza di Siena as president of Sports and Health – I like to underline the strong collaboration with Fise and Roma Capitale, to ensure that this place is increasingly accessible to citizens, not only for sporting events but also for cultural, artistic and musical events. The thing that fills us with pride is that with Fise we reinvest the profits from the event in the care of the Ovaland adjacent areas by supporting maintenance and restoration.”
«One of the most beautiful editions»
«This year was one of the most beautiful editions – added the president of Fise, Marco Di Paola – we had a lot of fun. The machine is run in and seven years of work in perfect harmony with Sport and Health are reflected in the numbers and results which are there for all to see. The event is increasingly rooted in the urban fabric and we are highly appreciated on the world stage. We are inside a municipal jewel, We thank Roma Capitale for allowing us to use it». Among the new features of the current edition is also the entry of Rome into the Rolex Series: «An extremely important equestrian sports circuit – as underlined by the number one of the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation – and it is another success of this great stage». We are working on one for the future foundation for Villa Borghese: «A topic that the CEO of Sport and Health Diego Nepi has been carrying on for years, always married even since Minister Abodi. It is a project that must be done in agreement and harmony with the Municipality of Rome, owner of this beautiful villa. This is an idea guided by an important logic, which would allow us to enhance a wonderful park, as happens with Central Park for example. We are studying the legal issues.”
«An unrivaled scenario»
The scenery of Piazza di Siena, where the curtain falls on the ninety-first edition of the horse show, it is «unique and has no rivals». Thus the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri: «It’s a great celebration for everyone, it’s very nice that there is this participation and that Romans and tourists have the opportunity, free of charge, to enjoy the Villa and one of the most beautiful horse competitions in the world. The collaboration between Roma Capitale, Fise and Sport and Health it’s a good practice, a model that perfectly explains how different subjects such as local and national administrations and sports organizations can collaborate for the good of sport. All with a positive impact on Piazza di Siena, understood as a sporting event that benefits from this partnership while generating an important impact for the city».
