From the unstoppable horde of the Mongols to the powerful cavalry of the Mamluksthe ancient martial art of mounted archery has dominated the battlefields for centuries. Having come to us through a military past, like other equestrian sports, horseback archery has emerged from folklore to become a recognized and increasingly practiced discipline in the West as well. And also Italy is starting to make its voice heard among the strongest nations in this relatively young world (compared to more famous and renowned sports such as show jumping or dressage).
We had the proof on the Monferrato hillsin Alfiano Natta, in the first weekend of June. With Italy once again high on the podium of the European team championship. But first a necessary step back; 2025 marks the tenth edition of the European Grand Prixand for the third consecutive year the team competition was held according to the divided format: five nations in Group A, the strongest, and five in Group B. It was a format that was able to renew the spirit of the challenge and enhance the progression of the teams. And in Group B, as we were saying, no team shone like Italy.
Team Italia – made up of the young Giacomo Grego, Giorgio Antonelli, Silvia Fagioli and, in the second stage, Carlo Antonelli – dominated both stages, under the guidance of technical commissioner Manuele Gualdanaassisted by Alessandro De Santis, taking home a victory built with determination, technique and clarity. With this important result, Italy obtains promotion to Group A for 2026, crowning an impeccable path towards the top category.
The first stage took place in March in Centelles, on the occasion of the Barcelona Winter Games. The extreme weather conditions, with heavy rain and lots of mud, made the event particularly selective: only the athletes of the official eGP teams were able to tackle the difficult Hunt test (a hunting course with dozens of targets to be hit exclusively at a gallop), transforming the stage into a challenge for a few. Italy has demonstrated its ability to adapt even in complex situations, confidently outpacing the United Kingdom and Spain, second and third ranked respectively.
The second stage, as mentioned, took place over the weekend just spent in the Asti area, during the Aleramo Ride Cup 2025, and offered an exciting finale for Group B. Italy confirmed its leadership, but the real fight raged behind it, between the United Kingdom and Spain. The Spaniards put on a great show, even managing to snatch a victory from the Italians on the Tower Track. This is the 90 meter straight track where the knight simulates the assault on a tower (the tower, in fact) and shoots as many arrows as possible at the targets in a given time. At that point, an overtaking in the general classification seemed possible. But the British responded with great character in the spectacular Hunt test – a kilometer of ups and downs, bear-shaped targets hidden in the thick of the bush, deer-shaped targets to hit while jumping a log – catching up and defending second place. In the end, after 18 tests in total (3 tracks, 3 riders, 2 stages), the gap between the two teams was just 0.4 points out of 600: a heart-pounding finale.
Spain therefore finishes in third place, with a performance of great quality, especially in the second half of the tournament. Followed by the Netherlands (an all-female team arrived in Piedmont) and Sweden who, although not fighting for the final podium, expressed promising individuality and team spirit. There are also many athletes registered individually, coming from all over Europe. Special mention for the Hungarian Istvàn Tòth – dressed in a traditional costume and even with a dagger tucked into his belt! – and for the Swiss Roger Ittigthe only one to challenge the other riders and riders at a gallop on his trusty horse…war mule Rino. With this well-deserved promotion in 2026 we will finally see Italy as protagonists in Group A. The challenge becomes even more interesting.
