WHAT
The FEI Eventing World Cup has resumed this weekend, only two weeks after the very successfull Final held in Pau (FRA) the last weekend of October, that concluded the series' initial season. An impressive field of 56 riders and 68 horses are competing here in Torino for the first leg of the second season.

WHO
The nations taking part are Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, The Netherlands, The Netherlands Antille, New Zealand, Poland, Japan, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and Tunisia. The country with the largest number of riders are Poland and Switzerland, six partecipants each, along with the home nations who has entered 16 riders:
Alice Bertoli, Marco Biasia, Riccardo Bordoni, Stefano Brecciaroli, Vincenzo Cinelli, Andrea De Sanctis, Alberto Giugni, Fabio Magni, Andrea Mezzaroba, Elisabetta Moranzoni, Massimo Olivieri, Luisa Palli, Massimo Ramires, Antonio Sanfelice, Margherita Zanon Bruno and Olympian Giacomo Dalla Chiesa.

The presence of Eddy Stibbe (Century Fox and Autumn Sunrise) of the Netherlans Antilles and rider's representative on the FEI Eventing Committee and Sweden Sara Algotsson (Robin des Bois), who placed 7th in the World Cup Final in Pau, should also be noted.

WHEN
The dressage test started yesterday because of the high number of entries. The provisional results after first day of Dressage (CIC-W) are:

1st - Car. Marco Biasia with Ecu (48,30 points)
2nd - A.G.F. Fabio Magni with Loro Piana Vent d'Arade (49,60 points)

Both Biasia and Magni are Italian Army officers.

3rd - Andrey Pasek of Poland with Dekalog delle Ombre (53,10 points)

The Cross Country is scheduled on Saturday 8 november from 9,00am to 3pm. It will be held in the Stupinigi's Park that is one of the most suggestive Park of Savoia'a residences. The 37 -jumping effort course- featuring 2 water combinations- is designed by the Turin-based Fabio Giuliani. Currently a Candidated International Course Designer, Giuliani coached the Italian Eventing Team taking part at the Olimpycs Game in Seoul 1988. Sunday will be devoted to the Jumping, which will start at 13,00 and will be followed by the prize giving cerimony at approx. 4,00 pm.

The second World Cup qualifier will be held in the USA, in Florida, from 12 to 14 March 2004.

NEWS

1 - A technical briefing took place yesterday at 7.00 pm. The participants were Techincal Delegate, Giuseppe Della Chiesa and Officials (Martin Plewa-Ger, Katherine Luceschi-Ita, Yves-Francois Belz-Fra, Alberto Soldi- Ita, Geneviève Pfister-Sui, Anna Custoza-Ita). Following the meeting, Mr Giuseppe Grossato, President of the Organising Committee, thanked City of Turin and Piedmont Regiont, main supporters of the event. A welcome cocktail, sponsored by Astoria Wines and Brasserie Pietra Beers, was offered after the breefing. Many riders and friends joined the cocktail and enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

2 - Dressage resumed this morning despite the heavy rain and strong wind

3- A 30-minute TV programme will be broadcast on RAI Sport Satellite on 13 November at 7pm.