The event staged in the magical oval of the Cremona exhibition centre continues up to November 30thwith a pay-out similar to that of last year, a purse that made the Italian Futurity the fourth richest Special Event in the world after the US golden three (NRHA Futurity and Derby + NRBC Derby). And this despite the fact that income from the IRHBA breeding programme, which for years has been the base for Italy’s Big Futurity, has unfortunately decreased due to the economic crisis that has put a strain on the horse-riding business in general.
On the other hand, the number and quality of the sponsors from both Europe and the US who believe in this event are ever increasing: 94, thanks to the tried and tested, “glittering” organization fielded by IRHA and TFY – led by expert event director, Giancarlo Doardo. The principal sponsors include the sport’s ever-present patron, Eleuterio Arcese, a man to whom world-class reining owes a lot, and MS Diamonds TX by Sleipnirthat will repeat its presentation of the precious Champion’s ring to the winner of the 3-year-olds Open Futurity Level 4 as initiated last year. The latest sponsor to be announced in chronological order is Elementa, Cecilia Fiorucci’s prestigious facility that is also a candidate to host the 2022 FEI World Reining Championships (the FEI General Assembly in Moscow has now decided to postpone the allocation to December); Elementa has chosen to endow the Futurity reserved for 4-year-old horses with a further €40,000 in added-money. Moreover, starting from 2020, Elementa will provide €150,000 in added-money for the Finals of the Italian FISE/IRHA Championship, which take place every year during the Futurity week when all the pairs converge from the regional legs disputed throughout Italy – the aim is to underscore the Roman group’s interest in the riders that form the sport’s “base” in Italy and the environment where future athletes may grow.
The Italian Futurity will also be the site of the first National Final for the Italian Championship of FISE Para Reining. Last year being the first that this specialty was present in the Federation, a single competition was held, but this year these reiners too have worked their way to the appointment in Cremona through a series of qualifiers at regional level and will be accorded the opportunity to showcase their skills at a highpoint of the event, immediately prior to the Futurity Open final on Saturday evening. Otherwise the schedule remains unchanged from previous years to ensure maximum convenience for both athletes and the public: 3-yr-olds Non Pro finals on Friday afternoon and evening, while Thursday will decide the 4-year-old Futurity Champions.
Competitions aside, as always Cremona will provide an excellent showcase for the best European reining stables with their lounge/stands and for the best manufacturers and retailers of technical equipment, off-road vehicles and pick-ups, trainers and vans as well as innovative stable products from all sectors, and much more. The TFY organization always focuses attention on the provision of food and entertainment: the disco-club will stay open ‘till late to permit the champions to celebrate their victories with the right vibe, while from 29 November to 1 December an adjacent pavilion will host the eleventh edition of “Country Christmas”, Italy’s top international country dance and music event for fun with the best DJs, dance masters and dance schools on the scene. Info on www.futurity.it
Italian Reining Futurity press office
