The Next Generation

Interview with Beatrice Ottaviani

Growing up with her mother Eleonora Ottaviani – an important personality in the equestrian world and one of the most prestigious show directors as well as director of the IJRC – and with her sister Valentina with whom she has always shared a passion for horses and work, Beatrice therefore grew up on “bread, horses and shows.”

Ever since I was a child I travelled with my mother to all the big shows, like the Pavarotti International, San Patrignano, Piazza di Siena, Aachen, Calgary; I met all the top riders and practically grew up with them. In 2005 I completed my first real job as stable manager at the European Championships held at San Patrignano. In 2009 we started to work at the Verona World Cup where I was initially responsible for the stables and then worked as an assistant to my mother who was the Event Director. This allowed me to come into contact with the entire organisational system, the preliminary programme and rider registration; I was in touch with the riders, the national federations, the FEI, and supported my mother in her work.

Last year my training increased greatly when I was appointed Event Director of the whole Hubside Jumping circuit in St. Tropez. Since this was the only show organised in Europe everyone was there and I had to deal with the top thirty riders in the world and all their needs which I tried to satisfy doing my very best.

“In recent years there has been a significant generational changeover with many names unknown until a few years ago now riding at important events and also winning on the major circuits.”

So EEF President Theo Ploegmakers made the right decision in entrusting to Beatrice Ottaviani the leadership of the new Nations Cup series. In fact, leaving aside the example set by and the lessons provided by her mother Eleonora, Beatrice has a strong background, years of hard work doing whatever it takes both behind the scenes and on the front lines at shows.

“The objective is to allow the ‘next generation’ of our sport to emerge. It is the same principle on the basis of which I was entrusted with its organisation”.

Full interview on this month’s issue