Silvia Rizzo Opens Doors of "Hof Marabunta The Netherlands" at Resim Dressage

Dressage

Italy

For the past decade, Italian Grand Prix rider Silvia Rizzo has been training in The Netherlands even though she lives in Germany. The education, atmosphere and lifestyle she finds in Holland has inspired her and boosted her confidence to make the bold move of opening a second branch, "Hof Marabunta The Netherlands" at Resim Dressage in Harskamp.

Building a Career, Dancing Across the Globe

Silvia Rizzo has been competing at international Grand Prix level since 2009.

The Oldenburg stallion Donnerbube I (by Donnerhall x Pik Bube I) was her career starting horse and took her to top shows in Europe, the Middle East and America, including numerous World Cup qualifiers. The licensed stallion is now retired and still standing at stud for those dressage breeders in love with classical, foundation bloodlines.

From 2014 till 2017 she danced across the globe with the Lusitano licensed stallion Sal (by Mississipi x Golega). He took her to Wellington (USA), Doha (QTA), Falsterbo (SWE), Windsor (GBR) and Wiesbaden (GER), amongst many other shows. At the time Silvia donned platinum blonde hair and blue glasses. Her travels and presence on social media attracted a string of tack sponsors and fashion brands in support of her positive image in dressage sport. She became known as the "fashionista of the dressage world," meeting fashion royalty in Doha, Valentino.

New Horizon in Holland

After the retirement Sal a period of meditation followed, seeking new motivation and a different direction in The Netherlands.

In 2018 Rizzo had acquired a new Grand Prix partner, Hanoverian gelding Ducati (by Don Crusador x Rotspon), and she began working with Dutch Olympian Adelinde Cornelissen as well with Ducati's previous rider Jeroen Okkema. Silvia showed "Duc" through 2019 but when the corona pandemic swept across the globe, she took the time to re-orientate herself with her training and career. This brought her for a brief period to Tristan Tucker, from whom she learnt valuable lessons about natural horsemanship, incorporating groundwork and in-hand training into her dressage programme. It unlocked a new level of connection with Ducati.

Rizzo's time in Holland dates back to 2011 when she allocated her Grand Prix mare Donna Silver to Hans Peter Minderhoud. She began staying at Resim Dressage in Harskamp and commuted between Germany and Holland on a regular basis.

"I always loved being in The Netherlands and have been going back and forth since then, using Resim Dressage in Harskamp as my second home away from home," Rizzo explained. "I just love the Dutch lifestyle, their open mind, the wide array of opportunities to train with different coaches and compete without stress or pressure as practice shows."

Hof Marabunta The Netherlands

Silvia with Willem Minnen, the owner
of Resim Dressage

Silvia and Ducati resurfaced on the international scene in the spring of 2022, riding at CDI's in Opglabbeek, Troisdorf, Compiègne, Samorin, Grote-Brogel and Ermelo. She burst out of her cocoon a new person: as a brunette, no more blue glasses, but with the same sense of style and sponsors in tow: Secchiari Boots, KEP Italia, MDC Stirrups, Del Santo Cashmere, SGG Gloves, Judi Manche, and Selleria Gianetti. This month, she is finalising a new and exciting co-operation with an Italian luxury fashion brand. Their products will break borders by merging high style and elegance with activewear.

"This year I feel like the pieces of the puzzle are coming together and I realized that I'm a happier person in The Netherlands," Silvia confessed. "My partner Michele (Betti) and I put all things together and we agreed that we wanted open a base in The Netherlands too."

Silvia has moved house to Holland and officially set herself up at Resim Dressage, where she can offer boarding, training, clinics, and training weeks for riders from novice level to Grand Prix in any disciplines. The central location of Harskamp, close to Schiphol airport, is ideal for clients who are in search of the right horse, no matter what level or discipline. Betti and Rizzo have sourced horses that ended up at European Championships, World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics in dressage, show jumping, and eventing.

Catarina Pinto, Michele Betti and Silvia Rizzo at
Hof Marabunta The Netherlands

Silvia also welcomed a new wingman to her team, Portuguese Catarina Pinto. The young professional dressage rider is educated by Portuguese team rider Daniel Pinto and is the young horse force at Hof Marabunta. She has taken over the saddle breaking of Silvia's young star, 3-year old KWPN stallion Orfeo Sollenburg (by Furst Toto x Vivaldi), and has premiered the home-bred Donnerbaldo (by Donnerbube x Fremir AA) in a national practice show last weekend, scoring 73%. Together they are schooling "Mini Bubi" to Grand Prix level.

"Catarina is such an enthusiastic rider to work with, bubbly, optimistic and fearless," said Silvia. "She is great with the young horses and helps us with the initial training of the youngsters up the levels. Michele still oversees all daily management, while he continues to coach his students in Germany and Italy. I'm so excited to have made the definite move to Holland and can't wait to develop all the projects we have in mind."

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