The world of adventure sports boasts numerous professionals with impeccable careers. The equestrian world is no exception, offering us stories like that of Italian rider Federico Caprilli, regarded by the prestigious magazine L'Année Hippique as the 20th century's finest showjumping rider.
Undoubtedly, establishing criteria to choose the best rider of a century is challenging, not only because it's an extensive period but also due to highly variable criteria and circumstances. Without question, Caprilli's theories - which he and his disciples put into practice and which endure to this day - completely transformed showjumping.
Historical Background Before Caprilli
To fully understand Caprilli's revolution in equitation, we must look back through history and briefly recall the predecessors of the Italian rider.
In the 16th century, Antoine de Pluivinel, follower of Pignatelli and Grisone's methods, advocated gentler aids and tried to be more understanding with horses. Yet his theories were based exclusively on work in riding schools using pillars - which even then, in many opinions, restricted the horse's movement. Though not lacking in great sensitivity and knowledge, he practised an unnatural form of equestrianism that allowed horses no initiative whatsoever.
Later came Guerinière (1688-1715), considered "the father of classical equitation", who influenced European traditions (Versailles, Saumur and the Spanish Riding School of Vienna) and placed great value on improving movements and flexibility - hence his invention of "shoulder-in" and his insistence on avoiding physical punishment (so fashionable in earlier schools), harmonising leg aids with seat.
François Baucher (1796-1873) was a rider who mainly worked in circus rings, practising what became known as "hand without leg - leg without hand" equitation, possibly because his legs were impaired after a chandelier fell on him while riding. His circus acts became quite extravagant, yet he remained a great scholar and pedagogue whose excellent qualities left a significant mark on French equitation.
Contemporary to Baucher was D'Aure, also a great rider but one who systematically used force against horses' resistance.
Later, François L'Hotte could be said to have synthesised Baucher and D'Aure. He taught D'Aure's theories but rode his own horses using Baucher's methods. Combining both theories perhaps made L'Hotte the most complete rider of his century.
Englishman James Fillis also worked in circuses, performing movements like backward galloping, exercises on three limbs and jumping while remaining seated throughout - even during descent and landing - holding the horse firmly with reins without allowing neck movement.
This historical context shows equitation was fundamentally practised in riding schools - not without great knowledge and important contributions, but utterly unnatural, failing to harness horses' innate qualities. Regarding jumping, Caprilli would bring his most definitive and innovative knowledge, as we shall see.
His Training and Competitive Achievements
Training in Modena, Piedmont and Pinerolo
In 1886, he was admitted to the Military School of Modena as a cavalry cadet, but nearly failed the medical inspection due to slight disproportion between torso and limbs. He stood 1.83m tall.
In August 1888, he was assigned to the Piedmont Cavalry Regiment, and that autumn to the Cavalry School of Pinerolo - yet curiously was considered a mediocre student, perhaps because he began practising ideas viewed as bold indiscipline. Caprilli had realised the unnatural equitation practised in schools wasn't suitable for cavalry needing rapid cross-country movement over natural obstacles.
In 1868 he joined the Milan Lancers Regiment in Nola, applying his methods followed by Captains Fabio Pandolfi and Giorgio Emo de Capodilista, basing theories on freedom, avoiding pain and always adapting to the horse's balance. During this period, Caprilli spent extensive time observing horses jumping freely, drawing major conclusions he applied to his riding. Using his method, he transformed even the most difficult horses into submissive, calm mounts within about a month. Naturally, he had to design a new saddle type suited to his riding style.
His Competitive Achievements
- In 1893, he became the first officer to compete in Rome's Grand Steeplechase, finishing second.
- In 1893 with horse Bagongo he cleared 1.60m, and in 1901 with Vecchio jumped 1.85m - astonishing for his era.
- In 1907 he won the Rome Arms Championship (the early three-day event) - Caprilli's equitation perfectly suited this discipline.
Caprilli's Death. His Disciples
In 1907, aged just thirty, he died - too young to see his theories spread worldwide and how everyone would eventually jump as he proposed.
At the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Lieutenant Tommaso Lequio won individual showjumping gold and Major Valerio took silver, both practising Caprilli's refined equitation.
From the 1980s onwards, showjumping competitions underwent significant changes: shorter distances, conditioned jumps, lighter-built obstacles and overall more technical courses. While Caprilli's system remains fundamental, these modifications might remind us of some wise teachings from classical dressage schools.
