FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET
January 7 2025
As of December 9, 2025, Italy holds the status of a technical heavyweight with high expectations, following their crucial role as the host nation for the 2025 European Championships.
While France and Spain currently hold the top two spots in global rankings, Italy is widely considered the leader of the "chasing pack," consistently fighting for the bronze medal position against nations like Bahrain and Brazil.
Here is the detailed status of the Italian Team ("Azzurri") for the 2026 cycle:
1. Current Team Status: The "Home" Advantage
Italy spent the entirety of 2025 focused on the European Championship, which they hosted in Castiglione del Lago (Umbria) in June 2025.
- Technical Peak: Because they hosted the continental championship, the Italian horses and riders are currently at a peak of fitness and technical preparation.
- Transition Challenge: The primary challenge for Italy in 2026 is adaptation. They spent 2025 training for the rolling green hills and hard tracks of Umbria. For 2026, they must rapidly transition their training to handle the deep sand and heat of the Saudi desert.
2. Key Contenders ("The Watch List")
The Italian team is heavily anchored by one superstar athlete and her supporting stable, often referred to as the "Fuxiateam" (based in Perugia).
- Costanza Laliscia: The undisputed star of Italian endurance.
- Status: She is one of the most decorated young athletes in FEI history. She won the Test Event for the European Championship in 2024 and is the team’s anchor.
- Horse: Zagara di Chia or Assim du Barthas. Costanza is known for her "smart riding"—she rarely overrides a horse, making her critical for team completion scores.
- Daniele Serioli:
- Status: A veteran rider with immense experience but mixed luck in recent championships (having faced an FTQ in Monpazier 2024). He is known for aggressive riding and is often the "hare" who pushes the pace for the team.
- Horse: Look for him to bring a horse with more desert experience, possibly sourced from UAE connections.
- Camilla Coppini:
- Status: A rising talent who has been consistent at the CEI 3* level and represents the next generation of the squad.
3. Strategic Outlook for AlUla
- Precision over Speed: Unlike the Spanish team (who ride for pure speed) or the French (who ride for strength), Italians are known for technical precision. Their vetting records are usually excellent.
- The "Desert Gap": Italy historically performs better in European terrain (France/Italy/Slovakia) than in the desert. To podium in AlUla, they will likely need to rely on the high failure rate of the faster teams (Bahrain/UAE/Spain). If the race becomes a war of attrition, Italy is well-positioned to take a medal.
Summary of the European Power Balance (Dec 2025)
- Gold Favorite: France (Reigning World Champions)
- Silver Favorite: Spain (Reigning European Champions)
- Bronze Contender: Italy (European Hosts & Technical Specialists)