by Laura Valdesi
SIENA
Waiting in front of the public building is the starter Bartolo Ambrosione. Then he heads towards the Entrone, greets Dr. Raffaello Ciampoli and other workers. Only when all the captains arrive do they gather together with him to point out, with the usual courtesy that is due to a person who loves Siena, what can be retouched. A few minutes and the break of ranks arrives. Message received.
There was some bad feeling immediately after the third test, judged too young. Given how important the start is in the Palio of the 2000s and even more so in the post-covid one, all the captains would not have had anything to say if Bartolo Ambrosione invalidated and called the Contrade back between the ropes. In short, if the move lasted a few minutes longer. But the man from Verrocchio, from the height of his experience, enjoys the utmost trust of the captains who unanimously confirmed him for the 19th Palio. So there were no complaints. Only high guard. However, when in the fourth test, as shown by the photo we publish and many others circulating on social media, the rope was lowered due to a forcing when Mattia Chiavassa on Brivido sardo (Bruco) was still a couple of meters from the verrocchino, the captains involved in the round of the ‘parties’ agreed on the opportunity to discuss the issue with Ambrosione in the spirit of collaboration. Before the dress rehearsal. Obviously the captains want to protect the Festival. Not to mention the Municipality. However, if there is a need to stay a few more minutes between the ropes, even for the rehearsals, that’s okay. It’s true that debuting horses shouldn’t be stressed, and it’s equally true that management and jockeys must be able to take the measure of Ambrosione’s philosophy of movement so as not to find themselves with surprises this evening. And that, after all, the pairings must have a way to get along. “The run-up should probably be respected more. Especially when it has a rival between the ropes. This, from my point of view, can be counterproductive because there are rare moments in which the situation inside is optimal, perhaps the run-up doesn’t even seem to be coming in”, he had said after the heats of the Tratta Ambrosione in light of the meeting on the 28th afternoon with the captains, after reading the horses’ cards. In the fourth test, the run-up, Bruco in fact, stuck its head beyond the verrocchino when Pantera, Valdimontone and Civetta had already started strong. The important thing is to understand each other and there will be no problems. As always.
