Endurance: Sardinia wins

Endurance: Sardinia wins

Endurance: Sardinia wins two Italian titles with Marica Anna Marras and Giorgio Ruggero Prezioso. The 2024 edition of the 2024 Italian Endurance Championships saw the triumph of two Sardinian athletes.

In the Pratoni del Vivaro circuit (Rome) gold for Marica Anna Marras, 16 years old, riding Byron del Ma’ in the Cei 2* Young Riders category over a distance of 120 km, on a very technical route with several climbs and descents. With an average of 16.40 the Sardinian rider trained by Anna Teresa Vincentelli preceded Mariachiara Fagiani on Elka du Barthas who prevailed in the sprint over Federico Valeri riding Demon Melograno. It should be underlined that despite his young age Byron del Ma’ was faster than much more experienced horses. So much so that he was nominated by Anica as best horse.
It is the third time that a student of Anna Teresa Vincentelli has won the Italian championship. Three titles with three different duos to which a European championship must be added. The competition strategy was prepared together with Maurizio Muntoni, co-owner of the Ma’ breeding farm.

The other Italian title came in the Under 14 Debutants thanks to Giorgio Ruggero Prezioso who with Burgesu won in a batch with 28 starters. The Sardinian rider trained by Costantino Sanna beat the Umbrian rider Syria Annessi on Doc Peppy Enterprise. Third place for Giulia Parretti (Umbria) on Vento Nuraghese. Also noteworthy in this category is the eleventh place of a Sardinian rider, Giorgia Sanna on Barracuda.
An exceptional double for the endurance section of Fise Sardinia which honors the work of the technicians Anna Teresa Vincentelli (regional Fise representative for endurance) and Costantino Sanna, team chef for Sardinia together with Stefania Ciatto.

The other Sardinians in the race – The rider Paola Musio came close to the podium in the CEI 2* over the distance of 120 km, finishing in fourth place with the Anglo Arab Una Lady, an 11-year-old mare she owns. However, the pairing of Alessia Mattera and Udena was eliminated on the third lap.
Also noteworthy was the seventh place in the Cei 2YJ (again over 120 km) by Maria Letizia Grazia Orecchioni with Amore, an 8-year-old horse owned by Francesco Manca.
In the Cen A under 14, over the distance of 40 km, sixth place for Maria Salaris with Steddau ses Tue.
In the CEI 1* over the distance of 100 km Daniele Licheri with Ziramundu Mandra Edera was eliminated due to lameness on the first lap.