FIERACAVALLI VERONA
2018
Going through the gates of Fieracavalli
2018 in Verona Italy was very exciting.
Visited by 160,000 enthusiasts from more than 60 countries,
Fieracavalli is one of the most important equestrian events
worldwide. In 2018 Elite Equestrian was selected by ITA (Italian
Trade Agency) to be part of a foreign press and business
delegation to the 120th edition of Fieracavalli, held
October 25-28 at the Exhibition Centre in Verona, Italy.
Since 1898, in Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet, Fieracavalli
has accompanied the evolution of the role of horses
through the Italian history, from being working in the fields
and pulling carts for transportation, to becoming trusted
companion in sport, pet-therapy and outdoor life.
Being born in and having lived in Italy for thirty years, this
was not my first or only time at Fieracavalli, but this edition
was definitely very impressive, and I was looking at the
event with a different perspective than before.
While the horses are the undisputed protagonists, with
2.400 subjects representing 60 breeds, the entire equestrian
world is represented, thanks to a formula that combines
breeding, sport and business, without forgetting tourism,
entertainment and spectacular artistic performances. The
organizing team provided a top of the line venue for every
sector.
The gates opened early every morning, with lines of horse
lovers of every age, and even entire school classes, waiting
to get in.
David Chavez and his team presented some
spectacular Haute Ecole figures, with several horses.
In addition to the horse show, the organization also offered
a large variety of the Italian traditional food and wine, allowing
the visitors to take an interesting journey through the
regional specialties of Italy, along with entertainment and
live shows.
Our delegation had people from China, Mongolia, Brazil
and the U.S., ranging from business owners to TV reps and
journalists, all with different perspectives, and all very impressed
by what they experienced. I spent some time with
Jessie Lochrie who represented Manhattan Saddlery, and
Christy Weflen who owns St. Croix Saddlery and asked both
of them how they felt about the event.
34 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
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