San Patrignano CSI-A (ITA) Equestrian sport against drugs and social outcasting

Interview to Jhon Roche

John Roche, Manager of Jumping and Driving of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) was one of San Patrignano's guests during this 6th edition. The show of 2001 was his first visit to the show, which he calls a "unique" event. " I really admire what they are doing for the sport and also for society," explained Roche. " It is a very popular show amongst riders. The facilities are excellent, but the main thing here is of course the hospitality. Everybody here is really friendly, it is quite an impressive experience. You can't really explain it, you have to be here to experience it. Then you can only begin to understand what is being done here and see it for yourself. They are helping impove society and that is really touching, and moving also."

This year, the event has put in their bid to host the European championships in the year 2005. The decision about this should be made next November. Roche explained that " it is now up to the FEI Bureau to decide. Organizing a CSI-A is one thing, but a European Championships is another. It takes a lot more. There will be more riders, more vans, more hotels needed. Everything has to be taken into account. An organizing committee will have to do a lot more than what they do for an average CSI-A. A certainty is, that should a European Championship take place here, it will not be just a sporting event. It will definitely have a much wider message to give to the world. I certainly enjoy coming here. The sport is good, level of riders is good, there is a really open atmosphere here, which you can feel just by being here. You do not even have to speak to anyone. The grounds are wonderful and has kept itself in pretty good shape, even after the amount of rain that has been coming down this week. All in all, it is a great show and you leave here with an enormous sense of well-being."

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