Carla Mosti’s Endurance Joy with ‘Flying’ Gino

A triumphant Carla Mosti felt like she was “flying” on Gino D’Armani as they soared across the finish line to take gold at the 120km FEI Endurance European Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in Arborea (ITA) in September. 

The victory was even sweeter for the 19-year-old French rider because of the special relationship she has built with her family’s eight-year-old gelding. Added to that was the feeling that all her hard work had paid off, and that her family and friends’ support and encouragement had been vindicated. 

“I was filled with emotions when I won, joy – crying, pride, happy; I jumped into the arms of my loved ones,” Carla said. 

“Gino was born at home, he is the first foal of Djalila du Porche, who belongs to us. He is a delicate horse; in his early days he was quite complicated. Gino is very sensitive and attentive to the slightest noise. He has very good cardiac recovery, is very generous, and a fighter.” 

Carla Mosti and Gino d'Armani lead the way in Arborea

Start quickly together 

The 120km competition in Arborea included 42 Young Riders and Juniors representing 16 National Federations. Athletes from Spain captured Individual silver and bronze, and Spain also won Team gold, with France winning the Team silver, and Italy in Team bronze. 

The course had four loops, the first two were 36km each, the third was 25km, and the final phase was 23km. Horses must complete a mandatory veterinary inspection and 40- or 50-minute rest period before moving into the next phase. 

Team France’s objective was to start quickly together and continue moving up in the rankings throughout the course. The high heat and humidity, beginning on the second loop, surprised everyone, and the athletes adjusted their strategies accordingly. 

“For my part, I was already very happy to participate in the European Championship, my goal was to have a great event, and above all to have fun,” Carla said. “From the start, I felt that Gino was different, despite the weather conditions and his young age, at no time did he tire. On the last loop, it was impressive, I did the whole loop alone, then at the last crew assistance point, I said to myself it's now or never. So, I opened my fingers and he left as quickly as a rocket, I had the impression that he was flying, it was an exceptional moment.” 

Special relationship 

Carla is from an Endurance family, her parents, Laurent Mosti and Cecile Miletto are both CEI*** Endurance competitors and they own and operate Mas D’Armani Stables in Saint-Gilles, France. Cecile won Team silver in Endurance at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, and horses have been part of Carla’s life since day one.  

Carla enjoys Endurance because of the discipline’s special relationship with the horses. Endurance athletes spend a lot of time riding, taking care of their horses, and that leads to having a great feeling with them – horse and athlete become a team. 

The future is bright for this young rider, and she’s already looking ahead: “I want to continue competing with the horses we breed, earn my CEI***, learn, progress, discover, and improve.” 

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Words by Stacey Stearns 

Images by Oreste Testa