July 2nd was the day of the 2003 Italian Pony Championships which tooktake place in Cervia, Italy. Winning the gold medal in the FEI pony division for riders between the ages of 13 and 16, was last year's winner Federica Soldatini, riding her cute Nanu 44.
Soldatini's total percentage was 140.61%. Claiming the silver medal was Fabiola Miccone on Picasso, who totalled 137.89%. Last year, Miccone was the gold medallist in the FEI Pony riders class for riders under 13. Virginia Maghenzani finished third and got the bronze medal for her rides on Joost the Little Son (127.69%).
In the FEI Pony Riders under 13, Alessia Pignatti dominated her class riding the Dutch pony Neerveld's Blamoer. Pignatti, who lives in Brussels, Belgium, and is trained by the former Belgian chef d'equipe Carine Godefroid scored 72,22% and 73,15% (145.9% in total). Besides her Italian national title and a gold medal, Pignatti is invited to compete for the Italian Pony team at the 2003 European Pony Championships in Ireland. Alessia's mother, Sabina Pignatti, is ecstatic with her daughter's accomplishments. "Alessia is still very young and she may not have the right level for the competition (European Championships) this year, but the Italian Federation offers her the opportunity to get some experience and to be ready next year," Sabina explained.
Matteo Massimi and his Basilic de Rambouillet won the silver medal (134.14%) in the "Under 13" FEI pony class, while Valentina Soldatini and Golden Son took home bronze (130.39%).
Image copyrighted: Dirk Caremans
Related Link
Soldatini, Elicio and Zambiati Take Medals at 2002 Italian Pony Championships