Akhal-Teke Cross-Country

Today 4-year-old Akhal-Teke stallion, Damysus, made his cross-country debut at Montesolaro, Como.  His participation in the race was unsure until the very last moment.  One week before Damysus had competed in his first endurance race.  The course was extremely rocky and Damysus was running bare-foot.  As a result he was very tired for 5 days after with sore feet.

The decision to race him was taken and Damysus performed brilliantly.  Despite his rider, Lorenzo Chieregati, estimating that he was only firing at 50%, he raced the 3600m, 31 obstacle course in under 7 minutes, placing a superb 5th place and beaten only by thoroughbreds.  His pace was 517m/minute and he had no faults.  Next year he will race to win.  Many thanks to Lorenzo for showing what an Akhal-Teke can achieve with minimal training and in far from tip-top condition.