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Rome's horse show at Piazza di Siena

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

23 May, 2018

Prestigious equestrian show in Rome's Villa Borghese from 24-27 May.

The 86th edition of the annual Piazza di Siena horse showjumping competition takes place in the heart of Rome’s Villa Borghese from 24-27 May, with increased performance space and seating for spectators.

The prestigious horse show is held in collaboration with the Italian National Olympic committee (CONI) and the Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE). The four-day programme features the cream of international showjumpers, with annual highlights including a competition for up-and-coming Italian show-jumpers and the mounted Carabinieri display, which has closed the show for more than six decades. There are also parallel events at the pop-up Hotel Butterfly, ranging from fine cuisine to live music.

Part of the FEI Nations Cup, the Roman tournament is among the eight most important showjumping events in the world along with La Baule in France, San Gallo in Switzerland, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Falsterbo in Sweden, Aquisgrana in Germany, Hickstead in Britain, and Irish capital Dublin.

For the fifth consecutive year the event is dedicated to the memory of the D’Inzeo brothers, Piero and Raimondo, two celebrated Roman show jumping riders who garnered numerous accolades for Italy over the years at the Olympics and in international competitions.

The brothers were the first athletes to compete in eight successive Olympic Games, their greatest moment being the 1960 Rome Olympics when Raimondo won the gold and Piero the silver medal for show jumping. Both officers in the Carabinieri, the brothers always competed in police uniform. Raimondo died in November 2013, aged 88, and Piero in February 2014 aged 90.