The blue knight

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Fiorucci

By Nashwa Abdel-Tawab

Italy's saddle horse champion Fausto Fiorucci spoke to Nashwa Abdel-Tawab on the sidelines of the fourth annual Al-Ahram Al-Arabi Endurance Ride.

When it comes to saddle horse, Fiorucci is in a class of his own. Italy's 1997 champion, runner-up of the 1998 World Endurance Championship, and 2001 European Champion, Fioucci is known as the world's "blue knight".

Despite the high expectations for him and his presence as a favourite at this year's Al-Ahram Al-Arabi Endurance Ride, the blue knight came 10th on Carlota, covering the 120-km terrain in 8:02:14 hours at an average speed of 15 kilometres per hour.

"The race was great and the weather was fine and the Pyramids plateau was inspiring," Fiorucci said. "Of course I miss my horse, Fares Jabar, who is in Italy now. I only put him in two strong races a year because he grew up. He's 15. We've been together in races since he was seven and we won great competitions together. I think I'm the luckiest endurance horse-rider to ride one horse and win with him so many professional events. Seven medals in Europe and a world championship. It's a record."

Fiorucci's successes were fuelled in part by his union with his horse.

"With Fares, or any horse, you have to concentrate and focus during the race," he shared. "You feel your horse's needs and you can even see inside its mind. You're never alone on the road."

In this event, however, there was some distraction.

"Imagine what this area looked like 4,000 years ago before sand buried everything," he pondered, talking of how the Pyramids dazzled his eyes. "I just get the feeling out here that I am riding over ancient treasures everywhere."

It is well known that Fiorucci began his career as a show- jumper. But endurance -- popular in Italy -- always intrigued him.

"In endurance the passion was born," he shared. And in Egypt, he has found another passion -- riding amidst the history and richness of the Giza Plateau and its surrounding desert.