Playground sold out in Foligno for the Giostra della Sfida 2024, which will award the Palio designed by Diego Miguel Mirabella. A lot of waiting to check the performance of the riders and a lot of waiting also to see Luca Innocenzi, the ‘Cannibal’, back on the field upon his return after the Daspo which kept him away last year.
Among the guests, in addition to representatives of the institutions, also the well-known singer, voice of Pooh, Dodi Battaglia. The choreographies of the Rioni are always incredible, giving vent to their creativity. The memory of the missing locals is always moving. Like that of Elio Mela, collaborator of Giostra for over 50 years, in the Technical Commission. And then, as regards the Rioni: Luciano Grandolini from Pugilli, Paolo Loreti, Vincenzo Falasca from La Mora and the ‘lady of Quintana’, Paola Soli.
Quintana, the duos on the field. Two horses making their debut
Palazzo Candiotti, as per tradition, he released the pairs, but new information emerged in the evening. Barring any last minute surprises, the following should take the field: Rione Ammanniti: Mattia Zannori on Franceschina; Rione La Mora: Luca Morosini on Can It Succeed; Rione Giotti: Riccardo Raponi on Daytona Man; Rione Croce Bianca: Lorenzo Savini on Sopran Hadley; Rione Badia: Lorenzo Melosso on Texas Cactus; Rione Spada: Tommaso Finestra on Romantic Walk; Rione Cassero: Luca Innocenzi on Guitto; Rione Morlupo: Mario Cavallari on Miss Baker; Rione Pugilli: Raul Spera on Run to Me; Rione Contrastanga: Daniele Scarponi on Temesvar. All in a starting order decided with the Official Practice. As for the duos, Luca Innocenzi is surprised, who chooses a debuting horse like Otherwise, unlike the announced Guitto. The other debuting horse is that of Morlupo, ridden by another debutant, the knight Baldo, Mario Cavallari.
The roll of honor
In 2023, the winner in the Challenge was Giotti with Massimo Gubbini on Daytona Man. In September it was Spada’s turn with Tommaso Finestra on Romantic Walk. All eyes are on Innocenzi who, in the event of victory, would move into second place among the most victorious riders, with 11 poles, together with Paolo Margasini and just one length behind Marcello Formica and Paolo Giusti, at 12.
(article being updated)
