As many as 112 pairs from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Switzerland and of course Italy challenged each other in the historic first edition of the “Sardegna Grand Tour”, held in Cagliari in the obstacle course of the “gen. Rossi” Military Sports Complex of the Sardinia Army military command.
The Army was the protagonist among the various actors that contributed to the organization and success of the first international 4-star competition in the region and which received unanimous appreciation from the national and international teams that participated. Not only because it was hosted at the military facilities "Campo Gen. Rossi", equipped with a grass surface and an obstacle park worthy of the most important international circuits, but also because in the highest category of the competition an athlete from the Army's military equestrian center, graduate Guido Franchi, excelled.
The duo composed of the winner Guido Franchi and Enjoy One won the 155 cm Grand Prix, also valid for the purposes of the Longines FEI (International Equestrian Federation) Ranking, completing, in a time of 78.16'', the only error-free course, earning victory without the need for a “jump-off”, leaving behind riders of Olympic fame such as Kristaps Neretnieks (Latvia) and Gerfried Puck (Austria).
There was a large participation of athletes from the Army sports centre, including c.le Lorenzo Correddu, winner of the latest edition of the prestigious Coppa degli Assi in Palermo, and the chosen Simone Coata, an internationally renowned athlete called up to Helsinki (Finland) to represent Italy in the CSI5* valid for the World Cup.
The holding of this important event was possible thanks to the synergy, commitment and perfect collaboration between national and local institutions, bodies and associations. The event, in fact, promoted by “EquiEvent Asd”, saw the contribution of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, and the broad and active support of the Army expressed through the military command of the Sardinian Army and the military equestrian center of Cagliari, as well as the local section of the National Association of the Cavalry Corps.
The award ceremonies were presided over by Brigadier General Stefano Scanu, commander of the Sardinia Army military command, by Col. Marco Del Nevo, commander of the Army's military equestrian center, by the president of CONI Sardinia Bruno Perra and by the president of "Equievent" and show director of the Giuseppe Luise event.
