Paolo Paini triumphs at the FOPE 2025 Italian Absolute Championship at the Cervia Steeplechase

The grass field of the Hedges of Cervia was the stage for a challenge with a very high technical and competitive level, where experience, cool blood and courage made the difference. After a constantly changing ranking, it was the fifty-five year old from Fiorenzuola D'Arda Paul Paini – riding the reliable Casal Dorato – to write his name in the roll of honour of the FOPE 2025 Italian Absolute Championship, conquering with determination his first Italian title. "I am really happy and proud of this victory – declared Paini –. It is an important goal achieved in a particularly hard-fought and very high-level edition. The satisfaction is even greater because my horse comes from an Italian stud farm. Being selected for Piazza di Siena It's always an honor and a dream come true, now we'll work to get there in the best shape possible... today is just the beginning!".

In fact, for the first three classified in the Absolute, in addition to the Italian medals up for grabs, there were the highly sought-after passes for the international competition of Piazza di Siena. Objective achieved therefore for Paini, Bicocchi and Brotto who will be able to enter by right in the list of Italian knights in the field in the 92nd edition of the prestigious Roman kermesse, scheduled from 21 to 25 May. The result of the Absolute Championship also determined the podium of the individual Interforce Championship: gold for the first graduate of the Air Force Emile Bicocchi, silver for the State Police officer Michael Cristoforetti (Eic Lloyd) and bronze for the assistant of the State Police Luca Coata (Holly Del Rilate). Many institutional and sports authorities were present to award the winners: for the region Emilia Romagna there was the Sports Councilor Roberta Frisoni and for the Municipality of Cervia the Deputy Mayor Gianni Grandu. For Fise: the national president Marco Di Paola, the regional president Davide Zanghi Dalla Olle, the sports director Francesco Girardi, the National selector Marco Porro, the coach of the second team and under 25 selector Mario Verheyden. For Ania the councilor Giorgio Masiero was present.

The 'hostess' Lalla Novo, president of the equestrian club, was very satisfied Le Siepi: “It was a great Championship, very hard-fought, even if unfortunately the first team was not present in full. The reasons for these absences are many and justifiable, but perhaps they deserve a more in-depth analysis".

Returning to the Championships: in the Interforce team competition, the victory was recorded by the Carabinieri team (composed of Roberto Previtali – Hachiko, Filippo Bologni – Highway, Emanuele Gaudiano - Quirinus 27, Giacomo Casadei – Irasca) ahead of, in order, Fiamme Oro, Army, Carabinieri and Air Force. The Under 25 Absolute, a great novelty this year, saw the victory of Lorenzo Correddu (Dalakani Chardonnet), ahead of Sofia Manzetti (Fiolita) and Martina Lain (Nestor). The Ambassador Absolute crowned Francesco Vergine as Italian champion, leaving behind Marco Nava, silver, and Alberto Graziani, bronze.