ROME – The 86th edition of the Piazza di Siena international horse show is being hosted at Villa Borghese from May 24-27. It’s one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events with one of the richest prize money awards of 800,000 euros.

 The public are allowed to enter the grass-covered, oval-shaped arena of Piazza di Siena free of charge, as well as the dusty Galoppatoio arena to see the riders tackle the 1.45 metre jumps.

 At the Safe Riding competition on Thursday, British rider Louise Saywell took fourth place after completing the Galoppatoio course in 61.47 seconds, whereas Spencer Smith from the United States took fifth place with 62.47 seconds. Italian-born Filippo Marco Bologni was awarded first place after a speedy 59.74 seconds.

 The British and American teams had less luck at the Engel and Völkers competition at the Piazza di Siena arena, where German native Francois Jr Mathy took first place with a time of 25.68. However, at the ENI competition, which had jumps measuring 1.50 metres, British-born Scott Brash took a well-respected fourth place with 65.06 seconds.

 Friday and Saturday will see further sporting excellence under the towering umbrella pines of Villa Borghese.

 The Piazza di Siena equestrian show started in Rome in 1922 at the request of the Borghese prince Marcantonio IV, who named it after his family's original hometown of Siena. It then became an international horse show four years later in 1926.

 The competition continues to attract competitors from around the globe. This year’s show will see representatives from: Australia, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA and the United Kingdom.

 The British team is made up of Scott Brash and Louise Saywell, while the USA is being represented by Laura Kraut, Elizabeth Patton Madden, Spencer Smith and Mclain Ward.

 The president of the CSIO (Concours Saut International Officiel) Marco di Paolo, and events director Diego Nepi, who organise the Piazza di Siena show, have expressed their desire to convert the Roman contest into the equivalent of Wimbledon for the equestrian world; “a unique and legendary event”.

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