Biography

Italian rider Giovanni Ugolotti (35) is based near Naunton in Gloucestershire. Giovanni last competed at Badminton in 2016 when he gained his first completion with Oplitas with he represented Italy at the European Championships at Blair Castle.

In October 2017 Giovanni married Canadian international rider Kathryn Robinson and the pair run Cranford Stud Eventing.

Giovanni began eventing in Italy and progressed up the levels finishing 4th in the 1999 Italian Junior Championships. From 2002 – 2007 he was a member of the Italian Army Equestrian Team before coming to England in May 2008 where he worked for Andrew Nicholson and rode young horses for Tristram Owers.

In 2008 he placed 1st and 2nd at Hartpury CCI*, and won the Pau CIC2*. In 2010 he finished 12th at Pau CCI4* taking the prize for the ‘best first timer’. In 2013 Giovanni made his senior championship debut, at the European Championships in Malmo, jumping double clear with Stilo Kontika as members of the fourth placed Italian team.The following year with Stilo Kontika he made his Badminton debut and that year (2014) the combination represented Italy at the WEG and finished in 22^nd place. In 2015 he gained his best result to date, winning the CCI3* at Ballindenisk (Oplitas).

Cult Rewind is a 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding. He is by the thoroughbred Cult Hero (sire of event horses Bay My Hero, Flying Machine, The Deputy, Westwood Mariner) out of Miss P by the well-known sport horse sire Puissance. He was produced as a novice by Olivia Craddock – Giovanni acquired the ride in 2011. Badminton is the horses first four-star.