FEI Dressage World Cup: Top International Riders Come Back To San Patrignano For The Italian Qualifier

A top International equestrian event will take place in the community of San Patrignano (Italy) from 25th to 27th January 2002 when, for the first time ever, one of the qualifiers for the FEI Dressage World Cup will take place in the leading community in Europe for the rehabilitation and social re-integration of drug addicts. San Patrignano is located next to Rimini, on the Adriatic coast, in the Northern part of Italy (Bologna is the nearest International airport) and it extends on 250 hectares.

Some of the best International dressage riders will be competing in San Patrignano in what will be the first ever FEI Dressage World Cup competition held in Italy since the circuit was started sixteen years ago. Three days of competition are scheduled for the event, however the attention will be focused on Saturday 26th January on the Grand Prix (short) which will qualify the 12 combinations allowed to compete in the World Cup qualifier, the Free Style Grand Prix that will take place on Sunday 27th January, in the afternoon.

San Patrignano CDI-W will be the sixt qualifier of the 2001/2002 edition of the FEI Dressage World Cup. Many dressage riders expressed their enthusiasm for the new event and many top competitors have already confirmed their presence at the community's competition. Amongst them there is Beatrice Ferrer-Salat from Spain, recently winner of the World Cup competition in Mechelen (Belgium) and currently ranked fourth in the overall World Cup standings which is led by German champion Isabelle Werth. Beatrice will try to double her Belgian success in order to achieve enough points to get the precious qualification for the FEI World Cup final that will take place from 21st to 24th March in 's-Hertogenbosh (Netherland).

Top equestrian events are not new to San Patrignano. Every year in July the community organizes a show jumping show, the CSI-A Challenge Vincenzo Muccioli, that in the past few years has given San Patrignano the opportunity to promote at International level the community's activity. Furthermore San Patrignano is hugely involved in the horse world with the San Patrignano Jumping Team and a first class stud. "We are pleased to host in San Patrignano this important event - commented Giacomo Muccioli, youngest son of the community's founder, the late Vincenzo, and President of San Patrignano's equestrian events - The Italian Equestrian Federation offered us this opportunity after the smooth running of the National Dressage Free Style Championships that, for the first time, were held at San Patrignano last November. Sport events at San Patrignano are not simple competitions. Every single event represents a unique occasion that puts together equestrian sport at the highest level with the community's life. Horse events are in fact entirely organised by San Patrignano's people who are 100% involved in the build up and running of the event. We are pleased to welcome dressage International riders. The World Cup competition will give us the opportunity to experience sport at the highest level and also to let the dressage world get to know San Patrignano and its social message". Equestrian sports against drungs: this is San Patrignano's strong message which accompanies all events organized by the community. A deep message that has given San Patrignano International recognition in the equestrian world, as testifies the recent the decision of the International Olympic Committee and of the FEI (International Equestrian Federation), during the International Year of Volunteers proclaimed by the O.N.U. General Assembly, to award Giacomo Muccioli with an IOC diploma for his tireless dedication, outstanding contribution to the equestrian sport and for his commitment against drug addiction.

For any further information on the event and on the community you can go to htthttp://www.sanpatrignano.org/