Giuseppe Della Chiesa (ITA), who was selected by the Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE) to make his senior championship course-designing debut at the 2007 European Eventing Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA), Rome, on 13-16 September, has given a new look to one of the world’s greatest traditional cross-country tracks.

The cross-country course started at Pratoni for the 1960 Rome Olympics and has regularly provided one of the most interesting tests in the world. It features the famous downhill “slide” fence, which this time will occur at approximately fence 12, and runs on perfect going, thanks to the local volcanic soil, on the undulating terrain around the Centro Equestre Federale.

“The course will be quite different to previous championships at Pratoni, but it wouldn’t be Pratoni without the famous slide fence,” explained Giuseppe. “In fact, it is now a double slide, because it will go on downhill towards the old steeplechase course, which is now incorporated into the cross-country.”

Because this is the first Championship without steeplechase at Pratoni, the now-defunct steeplechase area can be incorporated into the cross-country, thus providing a totally new look and route. Several fences can be viewed by spectators from any one point, and the water complex, which has received considerable construction work, will be negotiated three times by riders and horses. The aim is for spectators to be able to view 80 or 90% of the course from certain points.

The time allowed is likely to be about 10min 30sec, and will not be easy to achieve, as the terrain is hilly and there are several complexes of fences to slow riders and horses down.

“It is inviting, galloping ground, but at the test event in April, when only one rider achieved the optimum time, I warned competitors that they would still need a very fit horse,” said Giuseppe.

“The top riders have all become so technically competent that big fences are no longer enough of a test, and riders have become good at dealing with the modern accuracy fences. However, for me, today’s cross-country test is all making riders and horses tackle accuracy fences in a forward way if they are to get near achieving the optimum time. That is where the designer can play with the optimum time and find ways of slowing riders.”

Giuseppe has retained one major tradition at Pratoni, however. His course-builder is the very experienced Albino Garbari (ITA), formerly Pratoni’s resident designer who is now retired. He created all the previous championship courses at Pratoni, most notably for the Open Europeans in 1995 and the FEI World Equestrian Games in 1998, and he designed the cross-country for the Athens Olympics in 2004. The assistant course-designer, who also officiated at Athens, is Francesco Finocchiaro (ITA).

FISE President Cesare Croce commented: “In order to realise a totally renovated course for the 2007 FEI European Championships, the Italian Federation has nominated a team with huge experience and international credibility. I am sure riders will find, with the added suggestions of Mike Tucker, the technical delegate, conditions and difficulties appropriate to the level of the event without forgetting the welfare of the horse.”

ABOUT THE DESIGNER:
Giuseppe Della Chiesa, 48, was reserve rider for the Italian Eventing team at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and now concentrates on Jumping. He has a farm north of Rome and holds a doctorate in economics. Giuseppe was a member of the FEI Eventing Committee and designed the cross-country course at the 2004 Junior European Championships at Pratoni. His forthcoming engagements include acting as FEI Technical Delegate at the Olympics in Hong Kong in 2008 and at the CCI 4* at Badminton (GBR) and Pau (FRA).

Thanks to Kate Green for conducting this interview.

REMINDER: MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Representatives of the media will find an accreditation form, which must be completed by 10 August, in the media section of the FEI website (www.horsesport.org) and on the FEI European Championships website at www.eueventingchampionship.com, where there is also an event timetable, accommodation details and directions to Pratoni del Vivaro.