Brazil’s Barcha takes Loro Piana Trophy by storm
For the second time this week the Brazilian national anthem rang out across the oval at Piazza di Siena when Stephan Freitas de Barcha stormed to victory with Dinozo Imperio Egipcio in this afternoon’s battle for the Loro Piana Trophy.
It was no easy win. From a class of 66 starters there were 16 through to the second round against the clock, and course designer Uliano Vezzani set them a jump-off track that tested accuracy and rideability as well as pure pace.
Sweden’s Wilma Hellström set the early target with a careful tour of the new track, bringing her grey mare, Eleven, home in 42.11 seconds when third to go, but it was obvious that time was not going to be the winning one. Try as they would however, the next five couldn’t leave all the poles in place, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs scorching home with his winner of the opening class of the week, L&L Upgrade, in 34.66 seconds but clipping the rustic vertical, now third on the track, which proved the undoing of many taking a tight approach.
No mistake
America’s McLain Ward and Imperial HBF made no mistake however when setting the new target at 36.73 when ninth to go. But de Freitas Barcha blew the class wide open when steering Dinozo through the timers in exactly the same time as Fuchs but leaving all the timber intact two horses later. It was a brilliant ride, with Dinozo laser-focused from start to finish.
That just could no be bettered, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Fermoy slotting into third behind Ward when clear in 36.93, and the home crowd had plenty to cheer about when, second-last into the ring, young Davide Vitale brought his spectacular week in Rome to the perfect finish when lining up in fourth with his bouncy stallion Earl Grey when clear in 39.85. Fifth spot went to Norway’s Marit Haarr Skollerud Cox and Nelson Van 'T Roosakker whose time of 40.82 seconds pinned Hellström back to sixth place.
Elated
De Freitas Barcha was elated afterwards. He has already done a lot in his career but he attributed his success this week so far to the boost he got from a conversation with his hero, McLain Ward earlier in the week.
“For me McLain is an idol, and the first day during the class I was first and he did an amazing job and took the victory from me (in the Range Rover Speed)".
“Afterwards he said some words to me - we just talked about the sport, about what I’m doing, he said I’m doing great and it was such important words for me. I felt honoured. I’m young, I’m from Brazil, I did the Pan Ams, I was fifth at the Olympics (Paris 2024 Olympic Games) but when you hear from your idol some words like this it’s so important and it gives me more determination to keep fighting and to keep trying to be better!”, said the man who scored his first win of the week with Chevaux Hex Lup Imperio Egipcio in Thursday’s MAG Two-Phase competition.
At 35 years old de Freitas Barcha is maybe not quite so young, but with his top ride Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio he also claimed team gold and individual silver at the South American Games in 2022 before going on to take individual gold and team bronze at the Pan American Games in 2023. All before that fifth individual placing last summer at the Olympics in Versailles.
Thrilled
And he was thrilled with the performance of the bold, brave Dinozo who simply gave his everything to win this class today and looked to enjoy every moment of it.
“We bought this special horse from Doda Miranda who did an amazing job with him in Brazil. Doda is a good friend and when he called me and said let’s try to make something to have this horse with you it was exciting. We bought him in December and I’ve only done two or three shows with him before coming here, and I’m so happy with this horse. I’d like to say thank you to Doda because he did an amazing job and I’m just enjoying this horse so much now!”, he added.
Meanwhile Italian showjumping have plenty to celebrate today too because David Vitale, at 19 years old the youngest rider at CSIO Rome 2025, has shown his potential this week with some superb and consistent performances. From Biella, near Turin, he trains with Italian rider Ricardo Pisani and looks set for great things ahead.
“This was only our second 1.55m competition today and it was such a great performance from my horse today and all week - so I’m really happy!”, said the young rider who also finished third with Lester in this morning’s Kep Italia Speed competition.
Class n. 8 Trofeo Loro Piana
