Bruno and Elisa Chimirri, in Piazza di Siena all the emotions of father and daughter

ROME — “It’s the greatest gift that the sport I love could give me. When the journey alongside my daughter begins, I already know that I will feel emotions that I can’t even imagine right now”. Bruno Chimirri52, was among the protagonists of Italy’s most recent Nations Cup triumph Siena squarein 2018. This year the selector Mark Porro included him in the list of 27 blue players along with Elisa Chimirri, 19 years old, to take part on an individual level in the Roman competition which will be held from 25 to 28 May in Villa Borghese. “I will be beside him in the most beautiful scenery that the world of ‘equitation can offer. I am proud of her and of her desire to emerge, she has character qualities and technical skills necessary to obtain great satisfactions “.

When Bruno took part in the Athens 2004 Olympics, Elisa was just one year old. And the chosen Carabinieri officer of attendance in Piazza di Siena had already collected many. Today, father and daughter manage a stable of 15 horses in Zerbolò, in the Pavia area. “She doesn’t rest, she doesn’t go on vacation. For her, the horse is sacred, it goes beyond sport. After graduating with excellent grades, horse riding became her life. And it couldn’t be otherwise – explains Bruno – because when you reach a certain level you enter a mechanism that absorbs you completely”. Elisa actually fell into certain dynamics from an early age: when she came back from school her first thought was to feed the horses, take care of them, win their trust day after day. Her passion for horse riding was not a flash, but a progression. “About her – her father proudly says – I am most struck by her determination. Despite being her daughter of art, she has never looked for a shortcut”.

Chimirri father speaks of “hunger”, the same that was observed in his eyes as a child when with his cousin Vincenzo – also a pillar of Italian horse riding – he got on the train from Calabria to go and see Piazza di Siena in Rome or the Coppa degli Assi in Palermo. Always looking for advice, ideas, details to improve. “We were kids and we tried to sneak into the stables and testing fields. We stimulated each other. We came from a family of horse enthusiasts even if our land wasn’t exactly the cradle of horse riding”. Back again on the desire to make it, Bruno, looking at the present. “Thanks to good federal policies today there are more internships and competitions than in the past, it is easier for a child to come into contact with our sport. However, you need to dedicate yourself to it full time if you want to excel”.

Bruno Chimirri is the oldest of the national team lined up for Piazza di Siena, which is why they call him “captain”. His experience is at the service of the team. “Perhaps for my successes and for my years – he jokes -. This recognition is a great honor for me, I try to help everyone”. Italy has not won the Nations Cup since 2018, with Chimirri himself in the race, the year in which Lorenzo De Luca also conquered the Rome GP. “We are going through a reconstruction phase – the analysis of the blue moment – but we are already competitive. We will not be surprised if a great result will arrive or we will not have to open trials otherwise, because we are on the right path to return to undermining the stronger nations”. Starting from France, reigning champion of the Master dedicated to the D’Inzeo brothers.

At the 90 Csio in Rome the Chimirri, who will compete individually, arrive after months of preparation studied at the table. Piazza di Siena is a decisive stage in Elisa’s approach to the European Youth Show Jumping Championships to be held in Gorla Minore (Varese) in July. After the 4-star Csi at the beginning of May in Montefalco, here is a test of international importance to understand if the 19-year-old will have the skills to withstand the pressure of her debut. “I’m sure she’ll make it, I’ll be there by her side.” Dad’s word.