Rome: 77th International Horse Show at Piazza di Siena, from the 28th to the 31st of May 2009

 

The 77th edition of the International Horse Show at Piazza di Siena will take place from May the 28th to the 31st in the eternal city, attracting many turfmen and VIPs, who will probably lodge in luxury hotels in Rome, and who will not want to miss one of the most important and fascinating horse competitions in the world.

Both the race and the location where it takes place have a long and interesting story, which dates back to the end of the 18th century, when Prince Marcantonio Borghese commissioned from the architects Mario and Antonio Asprucci the project of a space where to organise events and palios which could remind him of Siena, the city of origin of Borghese family. Although the prince died before works were finished, his son carried on his project, and Villa Borghese became an ideal place to host feasts, celebrations and spectacular events. Piazza di Siena, at Villa Borghese, its name deriving from the family’s city of origin, has hosted horse events since 1922. Six years later, in 1928, the International Horse Show at Piazza di Siena was officially held for the first time: the first edition featured races between 4 teams (France, Poland, Spain and Italy), and with the passing of time the event has hosted unforgettable challenges between some of the best riders in the world, like Bettoni, D’Inzeo brothers and Graziano Mancinelli. Since 1928 the event has taken place every year except between 1940 and 1947, achieving a great success and confirming Piazza Di Siena to be one of the “sacred” locations of Italian horse racing. An evidence of the international importance of the event is given by the fact that in 2003 the show has been inserted in the Samsung Super League, which includes the 8 best international horse shows.

The tourists who will take advantage of Rome travel deals will take part in an event where history, show and competitive spirit mix, an event that can attract up to 50,000 people, who are interested in races but also in other happenings that make the event unmissable. Besides races, in which the 8 best classified teams of the season will take part, and which will give people the possibility to admire the ability of some of the best riders in the world, Piazza di Siena will host also other interesting shows, like the famous “Carosello dei Carabinieri” (Mounted Carabinieri Display): about 145 horses and riders take part in a very suggestive historical re-enactment. Many people book a guest house in Rome and join the event just not to miss this display, which traditionally closes the event. This show remains engraved on spectators’ memory: re-enacting ancient medieval tournaments, as well as the historic battle of Pastrengo (30th of April 1848), in which mounted Carabinieri played a very important role, Carabinieri parade and perform a series of extraordinary evolutions on horse.


Tickets: 12 – 60 euro
Date: 28th – 30th March 2009
Location: Piazza di Siena, Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy