The Matthew at JCU Articles, In Photos

Discovering Horse Riding at Rome’s “Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti” Riding Club 

Rome: November 2023. Three horse Gesil,May Day, and Silver Moon waiting for the beginning of the training session.

In Photos

By Sofia Ledda | Photoreporter

Horseback riding in Rome is a unique opportunity to escape from the chaos of the Italian capital. In the heart of Northern Rome, stands the “Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti” equestrian club. The equestrian club offers all the comforts to ensure the well-being of both horses and riders; indeed, every detail is meticulously designed to enhance the equestrian experience. Every day more than twenty athletes train to prepare themselves and their horses for national and international show jumping competitions. Thanks to the professionalism of federal instructors, the bond between man and horse is perfected day after day. To prepare for competitions and face them in the best possible way, horses and riders must have a strong relationship of trust towards each other. Each rider is in a team with his horse and together they form a couple. To practice this sport, the horse and rider must be in perfect harmony. The duo’s creation starts from the ground, even before getting on a horse. The relationship between horse and rider must be built day after day. 

  • Rome: October 2023. Argori asks for attention.
  • Rome: October 2023. Argori is ready to be washed after her training.
  • Rome, September 2023. Argori is washed after her training session at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club.
  • Rome: October 2023. S.L. 20, is clutching her girth befoe starting her daily training
  • Rome: Semtember 2023. Charlie with its showjumping bit at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club.
  • Rome, October 2023 A.M. 18, riding her horse Ghiaccio.
  • Rome: October 2023. May Day trots during one of her training session at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club .
  • Rome: November 2023. Training session at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club.
  • Rome: September 2023. Argori eats after her training at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club.
  • Rome:October 2023. Training session at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club.
  • Rome: October 2023. Training session at the Il Baiardo Corte dei Conti Equestrian Club.
  • Rome: November 2023. Three horse Gesil,May Day, and Silver Moon waiting for the beginning of the training session.

Horse riding is an Olympic sport. In 1900, equestrianism was included in the Paris Olympic Games for the first time. Although the main specialty of horse riding is show jumping, there are also other specialties such as Eventing and Dressage. 

In show jumping competitions, competitors must face, within a field (which can be in grass, in sand outdoors, or indoors), a course is composed mainly of movable wooden obstacles. However, to make up the obstacles you can also find elements such as tables, gates, walls, plants, and balustrades. 

In evening competitions, competitors must face three tests. In the first test, the pairs must perform a series of exercises at three gaits (walk, trot, gallop). The second test is called Cross Country. This test consists of completing a route in which there are only exclusively natural and fixed obstacles (lakes, tree trunks, piles of wood…). While the third test consists of a show jumping test. 

In dressage competitions, the pair must perform pre-established movements. This type of competition is held inside a rectangular sand field bordered on the sides by a very low white fence.