Piergiorgio Bucci, in CSI5*W A Coruña: “On Sunday I will try again”

Last Sunday he was the winner of the IFEMA Madrid Horse Week World Cup Grand Prix in the capital of Spain and Piergiorgio Bucci faces the CSI5*W A Coruña with a lot of spirit and willing to add new points for the World Cup. The Italian rider tells us about his plans in Casas Novas this weekend.

A few days ago we talked in Madrid, you had just won the World Cup Grand Prix at IFEMA, now in Casas Novas, are you in a winning mood?

Of course, I come with a very positive attitude. Sunday will be the big day and I feel that my horse is in great shape, so I hope to try to win again.

You are here with “Hantano” and “Kiss Me Fabulesse”, will you use “Hantano” again for the World Cup Grand Prix?

Yes. “Kiss Me Fabulesse” is a great horse, but he is a little less prepared than “Hantano”. “Hantano” is my best horse at the moment, he is more competitive and in good shape, so I will ride him again.

After competing and winning the Grand Prix in Madrid last Sunday, how have you been working with “Hantano”? Rest? What kind of training do you do for a new intense weekend with so few days difference?

The truth is that we are very fortunate to have the wonderful facilities that the Casas Novas space provides us with. We have a great arena. “Hantano” has been these days with my stable hand, who is also a great rider, so it has kept him busy but without much stress.

Horses, like any athlete, have good and bad moments of form. Is “Hantano”, with his 12 years old, entering his 13th year, in his optimum moment?

He is a great athlete. We always try to take care of him and not make him jump too much to keep him in good shape as much as possible, so I hope he will be competing for many years to come.

If everything goes well on Sunday, will the Basel Final be a priority for you?

Absolutely, “Hantano” jumps great in indoor, he did really well in Verona. After Casas Novas, if everything goes well, I will compete in Basel and Amsterdam, the goal, of course, is to qualify for the final.

What about the European Championships, is that your goal?

Without a doubt, it is one of my goals for next year. Besides, being back in Casas Novas is an extra motivation. Hantano” loves Spain, with him we won a month ago the Grand Prix in Valencia and last week in Madrid, he really loves the air of Spain, so I hope we keep this good form to come back in the European Championship.