From 5 to 8 November, the 128th edition of the equestrian fair Fieracavalli took place in Verona. This year, the internationally renowned event attracted around 150,000 visitors over four days. The South Tyrolean Haflingers were once again well represented: together with Haflingers from other regions, they impressively demonstrated the breed’s versatility in the popular show programme Haflinger Folie.
A tried-and-tested team wows the crowd with an impressive quadrille
Katja Müller from Cermes/Tscherms had once again organised the South Tyrolean exhibition together with her trusted team. The four riders thrilled the audience with an impressive quadrille: Katja Müller on her stallion Waldmeister-T, Michaela Pfitscher from San Leonardo/St. Leonhard on A-Lorelei, owned by Christian Erlacher from Lagundo/Algund, Lisa Bertoldi from San Genesio/Jenesien on her gelding Wotan-Z, and Verena Linberger on Dalina, owned by Manuela Vieider from Collepietra/Steinegg.
The highlight of the South Tyrolean show programme was Katja Müller from Cermes/Tscherms riding her stallion WALDMEISTER-T BZ27609, Michaela Pfitscher on A-LORELEI BZ29098, owned by Christian Erlacher from Lagundo/Algund; Lisa Bertoldi from San Genesio/Jenesien on her WOTAN-Z BZ28753; and Verena Linberger on DALINA BZ30425, owned by Manuela Vieider from Collepietra/Steinegg
With their dressage performance, they demonstrated the harmonious partnership between horse and rider, whilst also offering a foretaste of the European Haflinger Championship, which will take place in Stadl-Paura (A) in August next year.
Breeding meets sports
Two young mares from South Tyrol, among the most beautiful in their age group in Italy, were added to the show programme. They demonstrated how breeding quality and sporting aptitude complement one another.
G-Baia PB, owned by Peter Braun from Lana, the reigning champion of the South Tyrolean Stud Book registration event and a successful competitor at the South Tyrolean County Show in Sluderno/Schluderns and the Haflinger World Show in Ebbs (A), had only just passed her aptitude test with flying colours in Hallein (A) at the end of October. In Verona, with Sofia Bocchini in the saddle, she demonstrated her talent for classical dressage. The young mare comes from one of Italy’s most prestigious mare lines: 25 years ago, her great-grandmother Blitze – also owned by Braun family – was crowned Miss Italia at the 103rd Fieracavalli.
The reigning champion of the South Tyrol stud book registration event, G-BAIA PB BZ31519, owned by Peter Braun from Lana, was presented in Verona by Sofia Bocchini in the English riding style
Guantana von Larchen, owned by Alexander and Theresia Zöschg of Nova Ponente/Deutschnofen, can also boast a remarkable track record at shows. She is currently ranked third in the South Tyrolean stud book registration event, was named runner-up in the Youth class at the South Tyrolean County Show to mark its 150th anniversary, and took third place in her group at the 2025 Haflinger World Show. Ridden by Gianni Gonzo from Aldino/Aldein, she impressively demonstrated her aptitude for Western riding in Verona.
The Western riding discipline was represented by GUANTANA VON LARCHEN BZ31577, owned by Alexander and Theresia Zöschg from Nova Ponente/Deutschnofen and ridden by Gianni Gonzo from Aldino/Aldein
Co-operation between the associations enables a successful fair presence
The fair presence was organised jointly by the Italian National Association of Haflinger Breeders (ANACRHAI) and the Provincial Federation of South Tyrol Haflinger Horse Breeders, coordinated by Lapo Braschi on behalf of ANACRHAI and Luca Marini on behalf of the South Tyrolean Federation. Its success confirmed the validity of the joint approach and demonstrated that well-coordinated and efficient collaboration forms the basis for a compelling fair appearance.
Photos: Martina Riva
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