WHEN WAS YOUR VERY FIRST EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION?
I was 11 when I had my first showjumping competition. It was near my hometown, at a small national show and with a horse called "Eponi Constelina”, which means "small star".
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?
For sure, this is it now! Last year was awesome! It truly began when I moved two years ago to Stephex stables and since last year, just a bit before my win at the Dublin Grand Prix my horses started to jump very well, and they have kept doing so up until now. Nowadays I can make long-term plans with them, which is great!
IF YOU HAD NOT GONE INTO HORSE RIDING, WHAT WOULD YOU have LIKEd TO do?
Well, I love this sport and the horses. I think I would have been around them anyway, maybe in training, but for sure it would have involved horses. I don’t see my life without them.
YOU TRAVEL A LOT. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY?
Rome! I love Rome. I lived for a few months there, it was my first stop when I left the south of Italy. it’s a wonderful city, good food and good people, I love to go there!
WHICH OBJECT DO YOU ALWAYS KEEP WITH YOU?
My coffee machine! (laughs)
Where is it, I don’t see it around?!
It’s in the stables! Wherever I go, to whatever show, I’ll bring along my coffee machine!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETE?
I really like Frederica Pellegrini. She is an Italian swimmer with a very strong character, a very strong mindset. I think she is a real champion.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC?
Pop music, not classic!
DO YOU PREFER THE BEACH OR THE MOUNTAINS?
I am from the South of Italy so my choice is the beach for sure! I lived there, I grew up there.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Definitely my hometown, Lecce, in the South of Italy. It’s perfect during Summer with a fantastic beach and good weather. I like to go there for five days to see my friends and family.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT BEDTIME READING?
I DON’T HAVE A particular BOOK BUT I LIKE SOMETHING REALLY EASY TO READ, COMEDY BOOKS FOR EXAMPLE, SOMETHING that makes me LAUGH.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?
I love detective movies or comedies like “Mr & Mrs Smith” or “The Hangover”.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL?
I don’t drink alcohol (laughs) … No, it’s not true! My favorite is Sambuca, an Italian liqueur.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL SUNDAY WHEn YOU’RE NOT RIDING ?
Yeah…when?! (Laughs) That doesn’t happen very often but when I’m home, I like to rest, to walk around in the small towns close by, eat in nice restaurants, and spend a nice time to relax.
WHAT IS YOUR EVERYDAY CAR? AND YOUR DREAM CAR?
My everyday car is my Audi that takes me everywhere! And maybe I will have a Ferrari one day! I am not crazy about cars but if I need to think about one that I would really like to drive for a long time, it would be a Ferrari, a black Ferrari.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOS BY JESSICA RODRIGUES
