Luca Roman and Castlewoods Jake. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Following last week’s unfortunate news that Italian fan favorites Vittoria Panizzon and Borough Pennyz would not compete in the Olympic Games due to respective injuries, FISE has announced the team that will represent Italy in Rio de Janeiro.
- Stefano Brecciaroli and Apollo van de Wendi Kurt Hoeve, a 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Polidiktus Van de Helle
- Pietro Roman and Barraduff, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Carroll House
- Luca Roman and Castlewoods Jake, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Ricardo Z
- Arianna Schivo and Quefira de l’Ormeau, a 12-year-old Selle Francais mare by Iolisco de Quinhon
The direct reserve combination is Giovanni Ugolotti and Oplitas. As a side note, Giovanni’s fiancee Kathryn Robinson is also heading to Rio as the traveling reserve for the Canadian team with her own Let It Bee.
Carola Brighenti, who kindly helps EN translate Italian eventing news, also sent in this interesting tidbit: “Pietro and Luca are brothers and will both compete in Rio. Their father Federico Roman competed in the 1980 Olympics with their uncle Mauro Roman. Federico won the gold medal as an individual and Italy gained the silver medal in the team competition.”
There’s a bit of Italian eventing history to kick off your Monday! We wish the Roman brothers and the entire Italian Olympic team the best of luck in Rio.
[RIO2016: Scelti i sei azzurri per i prossimi Giochi Olimpici]
