The Path of Matilde Manzato, dressage’s new rising star
From riding ponies as a child to becoming a rising star in Dressage, Matilde’s journey is one of passion, dedication, and a deep bond with her horse, Fine Boy. Today, she proudly represents Meraviglia Riding as an ambassador.
On your Instagram profile, you often share your passion for horses. When did you first get involved with the world of horseback riding?
“My passion for horses was passed on to me by my parents from the very beginning. Before I could walk, I was already on a pony, naturally with a pacifier.”
You practice Dressage, which requires a different type of footwear compared to show jumping. In your opinion, what does this discipline have “more” than others?
“In Dressage, we are always in search of harmony and perfection. Every little detail is like a piece of a puzzle.”
Recently, you participated in the European Children Dressage Championship, placing fourth. In Kronberg, you placed thirteenth, quite a leap forward. How did you experience this?
“Even today, a few months later, it still feels incredible. My goal was to reach the individual final again, and then I found myself very close to a medal.”
In past interviews, you talked about your horse, Fine Boy, whom you took to the European Championship. Can you tell us about a typical training day with him?
“It’s very important not to focus solely on the movements for the tests. This makes the training often monotonous and boring for the horse. We try to work a lot on the basics and the horse’s fitness to get Fine Boy in the right condition to perform the exercises more relaxed and motivated.”
You compete with Team Italy, and you’ve chosen an Italian-made boot like Meraviglia Riding. What is your connection with this country?
“I was born in Italy and lived in this wonderful country until I was nine years old. Since 2019, I’ve been living in Germany, but when I return to Italy a few times a year to visit my grandparents or take a short vacation, I always feel ‘at home’.”
Meraviglia Riding created a custom boot for you that bears your name. As an athlete, what is the advantage of wearing a custom-made boot compared to one that is not?
“The ‘Matilde’ boot is beautiful and extremely comfortable, and I’m honored that it carries my name. Wearing a custom-made boot has the advantage of feeling like it’s immediately part of your body. You don’t experience the discomfort that often comes with standard-sized boots.”
What do you like about being a Meraviglia Riding Ambassador?
“I like being a Meraviglia Riding Ambassador because ‘100% made in Italy’ represents top-level quality and attention to detail”.
