Barrel on the beach is the event dedicated to western riding that takes place in Arma di Taggia these days. The ribbon cutting was last night, the races begin today (10.30-12 and 13.30-19) and are also held on Saturday (the same time) and Sunday (10.30 the parade of the knights). The event is on the beach, at Bagni Vittoria and admission for the public is free. «I don’t think there is such a beautiful race in the world – says the councilor in charge of Sport Raffaello Bastiani – On the sea, on the beach. The Municipality has invested a lot in this event (to say, it is the heaviest item of expenditure of my entire assignment), and it is precisely on this type of tourism that we want to focus. Sports tourism, especially in the low season ». And again: «Along the same lines as the enduro races, just concluded, which this year were Italian, while next year they will become a world championship».
Two specialties are planned in these days: Pole bending, where you do a slalom between poles that opens and closes with a straight path, and Barrel, where you make a particular path bordered by three bins. The clock will be the relentless judge, given that both cases are time trials. “We are very satisfied – says Davide Baudino, the organizer – this year we opened the registrations in February and in 48 hours the seats were sold out”. Just under 200 riders with their horses participate. «With your horse in the race you must have a relationship of total trust – explains the organizer – Also because the animal does stretches at 60 or 70 km per hour, with very tight curves. They are docile, good horses, with an aptitude for work, the classic horses used by cowboys. They are called Quarter horses, because they are the fastest in the quarter mile stretch ».
Davide Baudino is the organizer of Barrel on the beach. He has been riding for years with passion (he is a trader for work), with his wife he has some horses, right in Taggia. “I have this passion since I was a child – he explains – I entered the world of American horses at the age of 14 and never left it”. With him is the horse Ugo.
Matteo Bergamini mounts Easy Aiera. He is 39 years old, the mare 14. They come from Reggio Emilia. And ‘he, riding Easy, the champion of the last edition of Barrel on the beach. «As a child I loved walks – he says – then I became a trainer and breeder. I live in the middle of this world and have a daily relationship with the horse ».
Melanie Guglielminelli, 25, comes from a small town near Cannes on the French Riviera. She mounts C4, which is 11 years old. «My parents have always had horses – she tells her – she and I got the passion. I compete in Italy and I have been coming here to Taggia for 2 editions. My mare is like a daughter to me, I have been competing with her for 5 years ».
Andrea Scarcia, 45, plays at home: «I’m from Taggia – he says – and I have The River Ranch riding stables. It started when I was young as a game, I have been competing since I was 10, then it became a passion and a job. Even for horses it’s a job ». Mount Stella Arc Play Bo, a beautiful 9 year old mare.
Lukas Seehauser, 39, comes from Nova Levante, a small village near Bolzano. He rides Chic Mary 5G, a 10-year-old mare. «It is my passion – he says – at home we have our own stable with about twenty horses, even with some mare. I have been riding this mare since 2016. If you have the horse inside, you will not give it up ”.
Salvatore Pugliese, 30, comes from a small town near Cosenza, in Calabria. He mounts Rr X Six The Sizzle. «I work in a stud farm in Calabria – he tells us – with these horses, where we have one of the best blood lines of horses that come from America. I train horses for work and I compete ».
Alessandra Lanteri, 32, is from Taggia and therefore she also plays at home. She mounts Vf Girl On The Prowl, a beautiful 8-year-old mare, called Jessi. That for horses is a great passion that he has been carrying around for years. “I have a riding school in Sanremo, the Flowers Ranch where I give the children horse riding.”
Giada Aucello is only 15 years old and has always loved horses. She attends the scientific high school and combines studying and riding. Her is Fr Fire Water Rock, a 5 year old mare. She comes from Sicily, right from Palermo, accompanied by her father Eliano. “I’ve known my mare since she was little and we basically grow up together. It is a close relationship ».