Easier said than done… Editorial by Susanna Cottica
A new year has begun and there is turmoil in the equestrian world. There is unrest at the very top where a heated debate between the FEI and the riders concerns Olympic qualification systems, the 3-rider team format and the voting system. The ‘one nation one vote’ system is only apparently democratic since the vote cast by a nation such as for example France, has the same value as the vote cast by a nation without a single horse registered with the FEI. A clash was therefore inevitable. On the one hand there is a great deal of politics involved as well as immense interests at stake and decisions to be made from behind desks, with on the other hand the reality and frustration of those truly competing in this sport and who know what it means to jump in a CSIO, a Nations Cup or a Championship while living with, for and thanks to horses.
Italy too is in turmoil following changes made in the show jumping sector. Marco Porro, assisted by Stefano Nogara, is the new selector for the top national team, replacing Duccio Bartalucci.
The goals FISE and the new board have set are to return to the top division and compete in the Herning WEG hoping to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. These are ambitious goals if one takes a look at the most recent Longines Ranking and considers that the last time an Italian team jumped in the Olympics dates back 20 years to Athens 2004. We certainly have the riders and perhaps also the horses.
However, for now we appear to be lacking the foundations that are the prerequisite for great teams: planning, continuity, cohesion, confidence, team spirit, support… the list is long. The current ‘disarray’ dates back a long time and comes from high above and it is from above that ‘order’ must be re-established.
However, for now we appear to be lacking the foundations that are the prerequisite for great teams: planning, continuity, cohesion, confidence, team spirit, support… the list is long. The current ‘disarray’ dates back a long time and comes from high above and it is from above that ‘order’ must be re-established.
Editorial by Susanna Cottica, Managing Director
