Filippo Bologni at the Longines Global Champions Tour with dad Arnaldo and wife Jessica Notaro. “A great team without internal rivalries, we experience the same emotions”

Reading the list of participants at the Longines Global Champions Tour di Roma (LGCT) it seems like we’re seeing double. Yet here the “Bolognese“there are actually two in the race. Filippoborn in 1990 and his father Arnoldwho at 64 continues to ride with the same enthusiasm and dedication as in his early days. “My father is probably the only one in Italy and one of the few abroad to compete on this circuit at his age – says the young rider -. This shows how much theequitation it is a long-lasting sport, where careers can be much longer than in other sectors.”

During his career, Bologni senior has participated in two Olympic Games (Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996), four times in the World Championships and three times in the European Championships, also winning the Gran Premio Roma at the “Piazza di Siena” International Horse Show in 1995. “My father was one of three Italians to win it,” says Filippo with pride on his face. “My secret dream is to repeat his feat.” He has breathed the passion for horses at home since birth and has decided to carry it forward together with his father. A winning choice. When two people are in the saddle, you understand each other, you give each other advice and facing challenges and difficulties becomes easier. “My father supported me for many years when I was younger. Today I am the one who supports him, also helping him in the search for high-level horses to maintain his competitive standard,” says Filippo. There is no competition between them on the field. On the contrary. Having the same blood is an extra boost to always give the best: “We share the same emotions and neither of us has ever wanted to prevail over the other. I’m very happy about this, it’s not like this in all families”.

If the father’s successes are well known, those of the son are no less. Consider, among other results, that he has won the Italian show jumping championship six times. Goals that bring with them satisfaction and behind which lies a constant commitment. “When you compete at such high levels the impact on your personal life is strong. The activity takes up almost the entire day and even when you are not physically engaged with the competitions, your mind is always on the horses”, admits Filippo. He dedicates most of his time to cultivating the relationship with the horse, an aspect that according to the carabiniere “is even more important than technical preparation”. To win, a capable rider or an animal with great potential are not enough. In a competition there are two of you and it is the perfect pair that triumphs, a harmony that only time and patience can restore. He brings to Rome the special bond built with Willie, a young mare who is now approaching high-level competitions. “She came to my stables when she was 3 years old, so she has lived more than half her life with me. I hope to take her with me to even bigger competitions like the European Championships, World Championships and of course the Olympics.”

Longines Global Champions Tour, the Formula 1 of equestrianism at the Circus Maximus

by Gianluca Sgalambro

August 30, 2024

A special person has arrived to help him find the balance between his sports career and his personal life. “Thanks to my wife’s support, I can manage competitions, work and private life 100 percent”, says Filippo, recalling that their first wedding anniversary will be in these days. Jessica Notaroalso an Amazon and women’s rights activist, followed him to the LGCT in the Eternal City. “Roma it’s a city that always brings me good luck, especially in Siena Square – he says enthusiastically – For me it is the most beautiful city in the world, I am very happy to be here”.

Filippo proudly carries on the family equestrian tradition, along with the innovations related to his young age: “I use social media a lot, sharing photos of competitions and training sessions”. On Instagram he has more than one hundred thousand followers, loyal fans who follow him in all his activities. A way to let everyone know about the world of horse riding. “I consider myself a sort of pioneer in our environment. At the beginning I received some dissent from colleagues, today many have taken inspiration from me – he says -. We must promote this discipline, it cannot remain a niche sport”.