by Steve Oldford

Taranto, Italy — The International Amateur Drivers Friendship Challenge is underway.

The ladies dominated the racing on a beautiful summer evening at Ippodromo Paolo Sesto in Taranto, Italy. In the featured International Amateur event on Saturday night (July 30), 21-year-old Linda Allerkrantz of Sweden, making her third appearance in the event, brought her Supergill mount, Magic Horse Bip, from a perfect pocket trip around the leader in the last turn to claim the victory.

Chasing her every step of the way for the place position was Hiltje Tjalsma of the Netherlands. The two ladies were lapped on at the wire with Linda hanging on by a neck. Oliver Badura of Austria was third.

Linda works in Sweden in the restaurant business and trains horses with her dad, Roger, who also raced in Taranto this night.

Rounding it out for the ladies and winning the Italian Amateur event was Elena Villani, who sat patiently after starting the race from post 11. She brought her mount home to win the 1,600 meter race in 2:01.6.

Steve Oldford, representing the U.S., was not a contender after his horse broke at the start.

In all, 12 countries are represented including France, Spain, Switzerland, Ukrain, South Africa, Sweden, Netherlands, USA, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany in addition to Italy, who is hosting the event.

Racing continues Sunday night with the top five finishers from each race advancing to the ‘Final Trofeo Magna Grecia’ at this beautiful Italian raceway. The balance of the contestants will race the consolation ‘Trodeo Magna Grecia’ for honor position.

The racers look forward to tonight’s finale and another warm reception from their Italian hosts following the races.