For the second consecutive year, the only Italian qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup will take place in San Patrignano. From Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th 2003, the indoor arena of the leading community in Europe for the rehabilitation and social re-integration of drug addicts will host the Italian stage of the most important international dressage competition: the FEI World Cup.

The event, as underlined by Giacomo Muccioli, responsible of San Patrignano's sports events, will open a very important year for the rehabilitation community founded by Vincenzo Muccioli in 1978. "In 2003 San Patrignano will celebrate its 25th anniversary. It is indeed a very important goal for all of us and not only for its symbolic meaning: since 1978 we have welcomed 18.000 guests, most of them enjoying today a drug-free existence. During these years our community has become a significant cultural and methodological point of reference for all those operating in the field of drug addiction. Thanks to our horse linked activities, such as breeding and the organisation of International jumping and dressage competitions, we have been able to spread our message and let people learn about the human and social reality of San Patrignano. Furthermore, the FEI Dressage World Cup represents the first stage of a path taking us to host the 2005 European Jumping Show Championships: an unprecedented event in the history of sports."

Some of the most outstanding International riders have already confirmed their participation in this year' event. In particular the 'unbeatable' German dressage team will line up in San Patrignano competitors such as Ulla Salzgeber, currently leader of FEI World Dressage Riders Ranking, World Cup title holder (she triumphed in the final in 2002), team gold and individual bronze in the 2002 World Championships in Jerez; Isabelle Werth, Olympic Champion in Atlanta 1996 and twice individual world champion; Monica Theodorescu and Gina Capellmann, respectively ranked in third and fifth place in the FEI World Cup 2002/2003 standings.

The CDI-W of San Patrignano is the sixth out of the ten qualifying competitions for the 2002/2003 FEI Dressage World Cup final that will take place at the end of March in Gothenborg (Sweden). In the two-days-long Italian event two competitions will take place each day, starting at 9.30 and 14.30. The "Free Style Grand Prix" (Kur test with music), that will assign points for the World Cup standings, will take place on the final day (Sunday, at 14.30 hrs.) and will see in the ring the top 12 combinations out of Saturday's selection (Grand Prix).

For further information: www.sanpatrignano.org

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