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Happy birthday San Patrignano

June 18, 2008

San Patrignano, Spain --- The 12th edition of the CSI 5* Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge, being held from 18th to 20 July in the horse riding centre of Europe’s largest drug rehabilitation centre, takes place this year at an important point in San Patrignano’s history: the 30th anniversary of its foundation.

Precisely in October 1978, Vincenzo Muccioli transformed his country home in the hills near Rimini into a community for welcoming and rehabilitating young drug addicts and socially marginalized individuals. Right from the start, the “Sanpa” story was intertwined with that of the horses bred by the community’s young residents.

Andrea Muccioli, who has run the community since 1995, explains, “My father realized the great therapeutic potential of man’s relationship with these extraordinary animals and since then hundred of boys and girls have followed their rehabilitation program in our stables, raising horses destined to become show jumping champions.”

“Moreover, thanks to the horses and extraordinary successes achieved by our competition team, from the twin world gold (individual and team) in 1994 at The Hague, to medals won at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games, we have made a name for ourselves worldwide”, continues Andrea Muccioli. “Above all, we’ve managed to pass on to millions of people, as in the case of the European Championships - which we hosted in 2005 - the human social message that’s the basis of everything we do: it’s possible to beat drug addiction.”

Therefore, from July 18th to 20th, the world’s most prestigious horse riding names will be up in the Rimini hills taking part in the show jumping contest. The first confirmations of participation received by Sanpa include outstanding names such as Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum, no. 4 in world ranking, and his compatriots Marcus Ehning (10) and Marco Kutscher (31). The Belgians on the other hand include current world champion Jos Lansink (12) and Judy-Ann Melchior (33), from the Netherlands Albert Zoer (3) and Gerco Schröder (11), Americans Laura Kraut (15) and Richard Spooner (18) and British ace John Whitaker (13). Obviously, there will also be an all-Italian twosome taking part in the contest: it’s formed by Jerry Smit and Nadir of San Patrignano, Italian champions in 2007. Nadir, a grey stallion of German origin, was born and raised in the community's stables, so is back once again to compete on home ground.

Also worthy of note is the participation of Dutch, Norwegian and American Olympic contestants. The CSI 5* Vincenzo Muccioli Challenge thus assumes even greater importance, since it will be the last appointment before the Olympics, a real “dress rehearsal” prior to Beijing 2008. As always, the program will feature three competitions per day, starting at 5.00 pm, with the most important competition starting after 9.00 pm.

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