100 Women is a BBC multi-format series established in 2013, that examines the role of women in the 21st century. Initiated by the then BBC Controller Liliane Landor to address the under-representation of women in the media, the series focusses on the issues and achievements of women in society today.
As part of the series, Ride Above It is a 30-min observational style documentary directed by Claire Tailyour that follows a group of disabled girls in Italy as they prepare to compete in the Veneto Regional Championships in horse vaulting. Described as gymnastics on horseback, horse vaulting requires enormous stamina, balance and precision to execute complicated routines on a moving horse.
“When Claire first contacted us, I have to admit I hadn’t heard of horse vaulting,” recounted Marinella Nicolson, (Fixer and Production Manager for ITALYFixer), “so when I discovered that it was gymnastics on a galloping horse, I was blown away!” Fabio Di Segni and Marinella were tasked with finding the filming location, a centre in Italy where disabled girls practiced horse vaulting. After some research, they narrowed in on La Fenice, a stables near Verona run by 3-time World Champion vaulter, Anna Cavallaro, and the man who trained her, Nelson Vidoni. “What appealed to us and to Claire, was the fact that Anna and Nelson train able-bodied and disabled children side-by-side.”
After Location Manager, Fabio Di Segni, had done the location scout, two contributors were chosen to follow as they prepared for the championships. Antinisca, 45, started horse vaulting in her 30s. She has Down’s syndrome and was one of the first disabled people to do the sport as part of a programme initiated by Italy’s National Association for Families and People with Disabilities (ANFFAS) when they teamed up with La Fenice. The other contributor was Beatrice, 8, also with Down’s Syndrome, who started at La Fenice four years ago and straightaway fell in love with horses and riding. Her mother, Alice, says that Beatrice now achieves goals that nobody thought possible. “People said that Beatrice would never ride a bicycle on her own, but now she goes off for long rides alone,” Alice says.
Filming for Ride Above It started 5 weeks before the Veneto Regional Championships, and while everyone is pretty confident about Antinisca there’s some concern that Beatrice won’t be up to it. They are used to practicing on a mechanical horse, which is a non-motorized horse-shaped block controlled by the rider’s movement. Now they are trying to perfect their moves for the freestyle routine on a real horse. Nelson is very clear that no-one will enter the competition who he doesn’t think is ready: “I want people to say ‘Wow, how great these riders are’ when we compete.” While Nelson is very focused on the competitive element of vaulting, he also sees huge therapeutic benefits for able-bodied and disabled children alike. “The animal becomes a friend and that helps to improve co-ordination, self-esteem, finding balance and socialising,” he says.
“I am very tough with them, even if afterwards I hug them,” says Nelson. “People with disabilities need guidance too. It must be the same as with other people we train, there’s no difference.”
The camera crew returns for the day of the finals. Antinisca admits to last-minute nerves. And there next to her is Beatrice, dressed in a Minnie Mouse outfit, her hair in pigtails with a big grin. Nelson says that she is ready to compete.
“It’s a small success,” says her mother. “I hope the first of many.”
Beatrice approaches the horse with Anna and mounts easily. She performs her routine with a big grin and is greeted with enthusiastic applause from the audience. She’s smashed it and she and her partner Cecilia win the silver medal.
Now Antinisca is in the ring with partners Michele and Alberto. She mounts the horse, stands behind him and moves into her routine, suspended on Michele’s shoulders. The performance goes smoothly, and they dismount clearly satisfied.
The film ends with a heart-warming scene, where many a mother sheds a tear, the team hold up their gold medals and bow to the audience.
“I think Ride Above It is one of the most enjoyable television productions that I’ve worked on,” said Marinella. “Fabio and I became very fond of the contributors and it was so moving to see Beatrice’s progress and how thrilled she was to win. We are full of admiration for Nelson and Anna, their love of the sport and dedication to the children is really humbling to watch.”
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