Casadei and Sileoni: two stories of horses, families and the Olympics

There were those 45 seconds. Important for Giacomo, crucial for Italy. In show jumping, this is the time within which a competitor must begin their round after the bell rings: “When the race countdown begins, I never set off before a certain number; it’s a bit of a ritual of mine”. This was also the case at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, where the performance of Casadei, the youngest member of the team, played a decisive role in securing qualification for Los Angeles and, with it, Italy’s return to the Olympic show jumping competition after 24 years. Then there was that tension in the warm-up arena felt by those starting as favourites – a tension that Federica Sileoni, also the youngest in the para-dressage team, has experienced on several occasions: “On paper, we had everything we needed to do well and secure our place in LA, but there are so many variables; you can never be certain.” In Aachen, however, certainty was finally achieved: Italy, with its show jumping and para-dressage teams, will take centre stage at Santa Anita Park in 2028.

Casadei was the youngest in the group, competing in his first World Championships and on one of the most challenging courses in the world: “For me, just being there was a unique experience. Pressure isn’t something that holds me back; on the contrary, I always try to stay focused without letting it affect me too much. I’m lucky enough to have a marvellous mare like Marbella, who is unique in this respect – she always tries to give her best in any situation.” As happened in Germany after his team-mate Camilli withdrew: “I’m very lucky to be part of this team; they’ve done a brilliant job.”

In the stands were his mum and dad, both riders, who instilled in him a passion for the sport right from the very start: “They’ve always supported me and done everything they could to help me reach the highest level. I owe everything to them.” His dad, Mirco, now coaches him at their stables: “The most valuable lesson, beyond the technical aspects, is that in life you never stop learning. It’s important to keep your feet on the ground and work every day to try to improve ourselves and the horse.” This mindset has already established him as one of the leading names on top-level circuits such as the Longines Global Champions Tour or Piazza di Siena. And who knows, perhaps we’ll see him again on the Californian courses in 2028.

It is a dream shared by Federica Sileoni and Leonardo, a partnership that has developed over time and made its debut at the Paris Paralympics: “I strongly believe in the bond with the horse. What calms me and gives me confidence in competition is precisely the fact that we know each other so well”. Aachen was her second World Championships, the first with Leonardo: “An experience I’ll cherish forever, for the atmosphere, the people and, of course, the Italian team’s Paralympic qualification.” She has now been representing the national team for six years, some of which were spent travelling around Europe between Belgium and the Netherlands: “I’ve grown so much, both technically and personally. It’s been important in getting me to where I am now.” She has found that “where” at home in Recanati, at the stables set up by her parents: “I finally have a bit of stability. As well as competing, my dream is to teach, and little by little it’s coming true. Being able to pass on to children the passion that was passed on to me for this sport and these animals is a privilege.”

It all began, in fact, on a day in May and during that horse ride with her sister. From then on, it became her whole life: “Riding is like switching off my brain; I forget everything else and focus solely on what I’m doing. It’s freedom.” It’s a sport that has also helped her come to terms with the prosthetic hand she uses for competitions: “It wasn’t easy because I don’t use the prosthesis in everyday life. But the goal was too big to dwell on that.” Federica was born with agenesis of the left forearm, a congenital condition in which the limb does not develop fully during pregnancy: “In the end, the human body adapts to everything. I was born this way; it’s my normality.” Now the aim is to keep improving alongside Leonardo. And, just like for Giacomo, there’s no better place than home to nurture those Olympic dreams.