Italy's flamboyant Grand Prix rider Silvia Rizzo has been officilly appointed "Foreign Rider" for the 2012 CDI-W Stockholm. Trained by Hans Peter Minderhoud since November 2011, Rizzo is eager to show the improvement she has made aboard her Oldenburg licensed stallion Donnerbube II the past year at this highly celebrated Swedish World Cup Qualifier.
Sixteen riders are entered to compete at the World Cup Qualifier which is being held at the 2012 Stockholm International Horse Show in Sweden on 30 November - 2 December. Five riders travel from outside Scandinavia with Italian Rizzo hailing from her base Hof Marabunta in Bissendorf, Germany.
Rizzo considers it a privilege and pleasure to be appointed "Foreign rider" at this FEI sanctioned event. It means that the organizing committee has the confidence that she will be the right intermediairy between the riders and show management as well as have the independent opportunity to comment on the conduct of the event, which will be reported to the FEI to control and improve the standard and level of show organization. Rizzo is no rookie to being the "Foreign Rider" having been appointed as such at the CDI Sunshine Tour in Spain and CDI Wiesbaden in Germany.
Silvia is a remarkable face on the international dressage scene with her bleach blonde hair, blue sun glasses and signature smile. Earnest and unassuming about her potential in the show ring, Rizzo is working hard and with great dedication to improve her scores show by show and step by step.
With her long-time partner Donnerbube II (by Donnerhall x Pik Bube II) Rizzo has made a leap forwards in their level since commuting between Bissendorf and Harskamp for regular training with Dutch WEG and European team gold medallist Hans Peter Minderhoud.
"It's been incredibly refreshing to get tips and training from Hans Peter," Rizzo told Eurodressage. "Even though we are both quite the personality we really connect with one another and he has helped me to improve on so many levels. Not only my riding but also my mental show preparation and confidence got a major boost."
Rizzo's Donnerbube stands out in the correctness of the execution of the movements but with the help of Minderhoud Silvia has now been able to get more expression from her horse especially in the flying changes and passage.
Recently signing a sponsorship deal with Italian equestrian fashion company Accademia Italiana, Rizzo has made it her aim to have "fun." She has been participating in high profile shows instead of picking out smaller CDI competitions, which can give her higher scores and strategically position herself better for team consideration by the Italian Equestrian Federation. The past few years her national federation undergoes controversial and stormy changes in policies and management comparable to Berlusconi's highly disputable government.
"After the ever changing selection criteria for the 2011 European Championships, I have decided no longer to depend on my federation for support to reach my goals. They are struggling themselves to get everything internallly organized," Silvia admitted. "My goal is to have fun and enjoy myself at the most beautiful competitions in the world and have a ball with my wonderful horse."
For that reason, Rizzo has decided to fly to Wellington, Florida in the U.S.A. for a 5 week stay. She has been invited to compete in the 2013 Palm Beach World Dressage Masters and will stay in sunny Florida for a further two international shows.
For 2013 she has also decided that her top horse Donna Silver (by Don Schufro x Willemoes) will stay in training with Hans Peter, who will continue to compete the grey Danish warmblood mare next year.
"Hans Peter has done such an amazing job on Donna and she is growing and improving each day," Rizzo explained. "I want to give Hans Peter the time and opportunity to develop this mare into the star she is."
The 2012 CDI-W Stockholm will be Rizzo's second Western European League World Cup qualifier of the season after having competed at the CDI-W Lyon, where she finished 14th in the Kur to Music.
Photos © ASD - Tutto Dressage
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