07/11/2009 - One of the most prestigious events on the Italian sporting calendar takes place at Jumping Verona 09 tomorrow afternoon when many of the top riders in the world line out in the fourth round of the 2009/2010 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping series. The Swiss have dominated the season so far with victories in the first three qualifying legs. Their spirits are high after winning team gold at the Alltech FEI European Championships in Windsor in August, and Daniel Etter showed they have lost none of their sparkle when heading the line-up at the opening round of the indoor season in Oslo, Norway in October and then following suit at Helsinki, Finland a week later.  Pius Schwizer claimed his Rolex watch as winner at Lyon in France last Sunday, so the big question is - can they continue their dominance by recording their fourth success in a row this weekend?  They have three chances because Steve Guerdat and Clarissa Crotta are also in action, but the Italians are on top of their form and filled with confidence too after taking team silver at Windsor this summer - the first-ever European medals won by this nation which has such a long and strong show jumping tradition.  Giuseppe D'Onofrio said today that the honours could stay at home for the first time since Verona became the Italian venue for the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping series back in 2001.  Both Germany and The Netherlands have claimed the top prize on three occasions during the last eight years, but D'Onofrio believes that this time it could be the host country's turn to shine.His own top ride, Landzau, is back in the frame after an injury break.  He had to withdraw from the team for the Nations Cup in Calgary, Canada in September when the horse was injured at Frankfurt a few days beforehand but, 10 days ago, Landzau began jumping again and D'Onofrio said today "he is in great shape".  He pointed out that fellow-countryman Emilio Bicocchi, a winner yesterday with Jeckerson Olea, could be a strong contender in tomorrow's Rolex FEI World Cup™ competition.  "Last year he was unlucky to make a mistake in the last line of fences" he said, while he was also impressed by the winner of the World Cup Preliminary, Frenchman Simon Delestre - "he has a lot of very good horses here" he pointed out.  However his favourite to win tomorrow's big event is Pius Schwizer, and what a result it would be if the 47 year old Swissman could emulate the double already produced by Etter.  "I saw Pius in the warm-up ring this morning - he is riding so well and he is completely concentrated" D'Onofrio observed.He's feeling pretty good himself now that he has a European gold medal sitting in his trophy cabinet.  "I am more content and it has given me more confidence in my skills as a rider" he explained.  Recalling that extraordinary week of competition he admitted that he had never been so worried about going into the ring as he was that first day at Windsor. "Before the class my heart was beating so fast it was frightening, but after I jumped the first course I was better.  I'm very proud of what we did, and it is so important in the career of any rider to have a result like that on record".Talking about the courses at Jumping Verona 09 he said designer, Conrad Homfeld, is building big and wide - "the combinations are testing but in a good way - he believes in presenting the fences in a safe way for the horses while challenging the riders, and all the competitors respect his course-building style" he pointed out.  D'Onofrio will be In the arena at Verona this afternoon for a very special presentation by the Italian equestrian federation, FISE, which is honouring the members of Italy's silver medal-winning teams at both the 2009 European Jumping and Eventing Championships - a remarkable result by any measure. And in this historic year for Italian equestrian sport the hopes of the nation are now pinned on their nine representatives in tomorrow's Rolex FEI World Cup™  Jumping competition.  Giulia Martinengo will be the first home runners into the ring and will be followed by Bicocchi, the amazing horseman Juan Carlos Garcia who was on both of those historic European silver medal winning sides, Jonella Ligresti, D'Onofrio, Giuseppe Rolli, Piergiorgio Bucci, Gianni Govoni and Natale Chiaudani. Italian spectators have never had so many reasons to cheer!       

See it on tv

 You can see all the action LIVE on FEITV - for details go to www.feitv.org - and the competition can also be viewed on the Italian TV network RAI, and the 24-hour satellite broadcasters SNAI Sat Active and Unire TV who offer interviews, commentary and talk shows covering all the activity and excitement at the Fieracavalli and Jumping Verona 09.  Equidia (France), Canal + (Poland), Dubai Sports Channel, SVT (Sweden) and Universal Sports (USA) will also be providing Live/Delayed coverage of the big event.