The horses and riders have arrived, and the historic oval at Piazza di Siena in the heart of the Villa Borghese public park is buzzing with activity as the final touches are being made ahead of the opening of CSIO Rome at Piazza di Siena 2025.  

Everything about this stunning venue is filled with history, and for the competitors at the 92nd edition of this iconic horse show it is, as Ireland’s Cian O’Connor pointed out this afternoon, “an honour and a privilege to be here”.  

The Irishman has just risen to the number 10 spot in the FEI World Rankings and will compete as an individual along with compatriot, 22-year-old Seamus Hughes-Kennedy.  

Nations Cup

The 10 countries competing in Friday’s Intesa Sanpaolo Nations Cup according with the draw, will be entering the Arena in the following order: United States of America, Brazil, the Netherlands, Argentina, Great Britain, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.  

The Germans are bringing back another crack side to defend the title they won in 2024, but they will have to keep the reigning Olympic champions from Great Britain at bay along with the Olympic silver medallists from the USA. And of course the Swiss will also be hot contenders, with the men ranked fifth and sixth in the world currently - reigning European champion Steve Guerdat who is just returning to action after back surgery and Martin Fuchs who has been in consistently formidable form - flying their flag.  

Talking about CSIO Rome today, Cian O’Connor said, “it’s a wonderful event and it hasn’t changed much as long as I’ve been coming here - for 20-something years. There is such great tradition and it’s wonderful to ride in the middle of Rome city and in front of such a great crowd".   “It’s very different to ride at a show like this compared to the more generic shows we see nowadays. It’s wonderful, you kind of lift your game. Not being on a team this year I’ll be building myself up to Sunday, and hopefully we will go well in the Rolex Grand Prix”, he said. He plans to ride Iron Man in that.  

Top of his game

However he will have to be on top of his game if he is to see off the attentions of the many other star partnerships also vying to put their name on the prestigious Rome Grand Prix Role of Honour. Among those standing in his way will be America’s Karl Cook who is back to defend the title he won with Caracole de La Roque 12 months ago, and Austria’s Max Kühner who finished second in that 13-horse second-round thriller.  The build-up begins tomorrow when the main event in the packed programme will be the Range Rover Speed, and of course taking centre stage on Friday will be the €220,000 Intesa Sanpaolo Nations Cup. Saturday’s highlight will be the €105,000 Loro Piana Trophy and then it will be all eyes on Sunday afternoon’s €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix, part of the new Rolex series launched at Piazza di Siena last May.   It’s going to be magic, so don’t miss a moment…..