Giona Brothers

The passion for these elegant four-legged creatures now continues in the third generation of the family. Dad Osvaldo rules the roost. Brothers Alex (36), Pier (22) and Gianluca (21) are in the spotlight. Alex Giona delights worldwide with his free dressage, controlling ten white horses with just gestures and his voice. While brother Pierre prefers speed. He rides the Hungarian post standing on eight horses, and his heart belongs to trick and fancy riding. Gianluca prefer to stay in the background, helping wherever he can. “We can’t imagine life without horses,” says Alex.

Another dream came true in 2009, when Princess Stéphanie of Monaco presented Alex Giona with the Silver Lion at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo. Plus there were three other special prizes. Still, they kept their feet firmly on the ground. “It was a wonderful reward for all the hard work. And an incentive to keep working on our numbers!”