There is a lot of Borgo Tossignano in the third place achieved by Team Italia in the Nations Cup in Bratislava. Yes, because one of the riders and one of the horses involved in the prestigious show jumping competition at the many successes in 3 Csio Grands Prix and a fourth place in the Italian Overall Championship, and his faithful thoroughbred Cape Cod. The first at the second Nations Cup, after his debut in 2016, while the 11-year-old Italian bay was making his debut absolute. A story which, at the latitudes of the Nea Horse Farm in Codrignano (their training headquarters a stone’s throw from Imola, ed.), also crosses the drama of the flood which brought the Imola hill to its knees a year ago: “An excellent structure that allows me to train at my best – says Bassi – It wasn’t easy to get back to normal after the many damages suffered due to the flooding of the waterways tools have been broken or carried away by the fury of the current. There are also some problems with the functioning of the irrigation system but we do not lose heart. I feel the strong support of the administration and of a country that never fails to encourage me”. But both the Basses and Cape Cod are used to overcoming obstacles with one leap. And even in the recent release colored in blue they came close to achieving the feat. After finishing in the lead with zero penalties in both the first and second heats, the Italian team played for the victory in a clash with Mexico and the hosts Slovakia. The one chosen by coach Marco Porro to return to the field was the knight from Borgo who, however, made a mistake: “A fantastic third place especially because a wonderful alchemy was created with the teammates – says Bassi –. great opportunity that I earned after months of work riding Cape Cod, Twist del Terriccio and Find Touch who, so far, have had a fantastic season.
There remains a pinch of bitterness for the error in the barrage but the balance remains positive, with two clear runs under our belt, and more international experience to put in our baggage”. With Team Italia involved in mid-July in the semi-finals of the Region South of the Cup of Nations, Bassi is already looking to the future which in terms of ranking will take him into the top 200: “I would like to be able to end the year in the top 100 and aim for the Olympics in four years. I’m waiting for news from the Italian technical commissioner to understand where Cape Cod and I could be useful. The riders chosen for the semi-final are qualified professionals and will do an excellent job. Italy is fighting to have a place in the top series of show jumping and the placings that I will bring will contribute to the objective.”
Mattia Grandi
