The 14th annual San Patrignano CSI5* and Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge is scheduled for next July 30-August 1 and promises once more to offer the biggest names in equestrian sport.
The show, as always organized by the 1500 young men and women of Europe’s largest drug rehabilitation community, is renowned for its technical excellence and high level of competition. The starting list is a virtual “who’s who” of show jumping: Markus Ehning (currently second in the FEI world rankings), Sweden’s Rolf Goran Bengtsson (6th), Australia’s Edwina Alexander, The Dutch Albert Zoer (n°8) and Herry Smolders (n°11), The Irish Jessica Kurten (n°9) and Dennis Lynch (n°13), The Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa (n°15) and the only rider to have won at the Olympics as well as the European and World Championships, legend Ludger Beerbaum (12th).
A three year partnership agreement between Rolex and San Patrignano brings exciting news, explains Andrea Muccioli, head of San Patrignano, “We were ecstatic when the Swiss company offered its sponsorship in 2009, but the fact that the partnership has been extended to 2012 means a further leap in prestige and quality. Rolex is synonymous with the highest level of sporting achievement and now, thanks to this collaboration, its social message is just as strong”. Rolex will offer one of its watches to the show’s best rider. "To understand San Patrignano one has to see it first hand", explains Gian Riccardo Marini, CEO of Rolex Italia. He went on to add, "Rolex has a great appreciation for the social value that this event represents. We share core values such as teamwork, initiative, perfectionism and spirit of sacrifice".
Along with long time collaborators Eleonora Ottaviani (Director of the International Jumping Riders’ Club and San Patrignano’s show director since 1997) and Emile Hendrix (technical advisor), there will be a new course director, Louis Koninckx from the Netherlands. According to Ottaviani, “It is considered part of the evolution of a show to change course designers every once in a while, to keep the competition fresh. Koninckx has worked at important shows like Rotterdam and S-Hertogenbosch, but this is his first time working in Italy”.
The brand new web site is online as of today as well, at www.csi-sanpatrignano.org . Not only are the graphics new, but there will be plenty of videos and real time updates on the competition, delivered straight to your home computer or mobile phone, thanks to an RSS feed. In addition, it is possible to join a San Patrignano CSI group and recieve updates through Facebook.
Again this year competitions will begin at 5pm, with the final and most important class of the day taking place in the evening, on the Community’s stunning grass competition field.
The CSI5* will live up to the highest standards of excellence required by such a rating, on technical and competitive levels but also with a total of €350,000 in prize money, €200,000 of which in the Acqua Uliveto Gran Prix and Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge, the final class of the three day San Patrignano show.
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San Patrignano Press Office
Carlo Bozzo
International Media Liason
Lucia Montanarella
