The true protagonists of equestrian sport are undeniably the athletes – riders and horses – who take to the field, challenging themselves and others on fractions of a second. However, behind the success of the pair, there is not only the performance but also the visionary insight of men and women with a deep understanding of the industry who support the growth and careers of the horses: the horse owners.
Today, they were the stars of the first Jumping Owners Club Summit, promoted by Scuderia 1918 and Fieracavalli. The two organizations share the same vision: owners are not just business people, but true guardians of the sport, playing an important role in the protection and enhancement of horses.
In this context – with the presence of President Robin Cleary Parsky and 80 national and international owners – research supported by Scuderia 1918 and conducted in collaboration with the University of Turin and the University of Parma was also presented. This research follows a One Health approach, linking environmental sustainability, the well-being of both the rider and the horse inextricably.
Among the major initiatives discussed was CHAMP (Combining Horse Athletic Measurements with Precision Genomics), a project launched in September 2024 with a two-year duration. The project aims to bring about a significant change in the approach to breeding, training, management, and selection of horses, paving the way for a future of greater precision and genetic progress in the equestrian world. This includes revolutionizing the way the performance of sport horses is measured and analyzed, using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, combined with innovative scientific research in genomics.
To further highlight the connection between horse, rider, and owner, Fieracavalli chose an artwork by Daniele Basso as the prize for the owner of the horse that wins the Italian leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™. This artwork will be presented to the winning owner at the end of the Grand Prix on Sunday, marking the first time the winning pair will take the field.
