Deep within the Villa Borghese park lies a sunken oval field, called the Galoppatoio, historically linking the villa to equestrian activities.

Currently underway: THE GREEN PROJECT: NINE YEARS OF GREAT SPORT, RESTORATION AND BIODIVERSITY

In 2017, in the wake of a new and revolutionary concept, the “Piazza di Siena Green Project” was launched, a sporting event model which found its natural home in the Piazza di Siena Horse Show.

It was a zero-impact bio-architectural project, marking a complete and definitive break with the past, through the use of eco-sustainable materials and an overall vision designed to create a show reminiscent of the competitions of the early 20th century.

The silica sand on the historic oval-shaped arena was removed and the grass turf restored, and, in line with the original design and construction plan, Sport e Salute, the project organiser alongside FISE (Italian Equestrian Sports Federation), signed an agreement with Roma Capitale for the maintenance and upkeep of the Piazza di Siena area throughout the year.

THE HISTORY OF THE CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, the internationally renowned equestrian event

First let’s talk about the Piazza di Siena itself within Villa Borghese. This Piazza area takes its name from the city of Siena, from which the Roman noble family, the Borghese, came. At the end of 16th century, Prince Marcantonio Borghese commissioned architects Mario and Antonio Asprucci to create a new location within the park, one able to remind him of the places he loved most. He wished, in fact, to bring to the city of Rome the traditional popular equestrian celebrations that had been enjoyed since the Middle Ages in Tuscany. Think of the Palio in Siena. Unfortunately Prince Marcantonio died before it was completed.

Piazza di Siena’s debut in equestrian events started in 1922, but it was only in 1926 that the International Equestrian Federation included the Roman competition in the international calendar and the official listing of the Rome CSIO began. After three editions held at a different location, in 1929 the horse show returned in Piazza di Siena. Some of the most important events in the history of Italian equestrian sports took place in this public park, considered the largest and more elegant among Rome’s: unforgettable shows, with extraordinary leading riders such as Bettoni, D’Inzeo and Graziano Mancinelli as well as other standard bearers of this noble sport.

This was a fun discovery to make, even if we missed the horse show itself. But, for me, I didn’t mind. I’ve been to more horse show events in my lifetime already!