Article By Roberta C. Barbalace
News From Secret Acres
Maurizio Mesiti Brings Caprilli Method of Riding
And Mounted Drill Team
Maurizio V. Mesiti has recently joined the staff at Secret Acres Stables in Naples as manager, trainer and coach. Maurizio, was born in Italy and Studied the Federico Caprilli techniques of natural horsemanship, Dressage, Eventing and Stadium Jumping at the Tor Di Quinto Center in Roma.
He also attended the Spanish Riding School “ Ca’ Del Conte” in Cortina di Alseno (Piacenza). , Italy. While the Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the most famous, the Lipizzaner breed dates back to 1590 when Charles II, of Austria, established a stud at Lipizza, Italy and crossed Iberian horses of Lipizza (hence the name Lipizzaner).
The art of classical riding remains alive and well in Italy.
Maurizio was commissioned as Regional Vice-Director of the Rangers of Italy, with emphasis in training the mounted officers and by a presidential decree, was licensed to lead the law enforcement in the State Parks. The equivalent rank of Vice-Director is a correspondent of a Lieutenant Colonel in American military. It should be noted that in the early sixties, In Italy, the Forestale (Forest Ranger Corps) at that time strictly military organization under the control of the Agricultural Ministry took over duties of law enforcement as a result of political turmoil. The Rangers Of Italy became the substitute for Parks Surveillance until the reinstatement of the “Forestale” (Italian Park Rangers) in the late 1990s.
Maurizio also competed in open jumping at the national level in Italy.
In 1987 Maurizio moved to the USA and started Double M Equine Services. His interests turned from showing to training, coaching and instructor training. According to Maurizio, “There comes a time when one must choose between being a competitor and a trainer/coach. Otherwise, a conflict of interest will likely result… Also, one must make a commitment to teaching. It is one thing to have the knowledge of riding. It is quite another thing to know how to communicate that information to students.”
Maurizio started his business in South Carolina where he turned out many excellent riders and instructors. In the late 80s Maurizio, who at that time was working as personal trainer of a prominent mentor and horse lover in Charleston, SC selected and trained an “unsuccessful” thoroughbred race horse (paid just $4000). He proved to be an “exceptionally easy to learn subject with a great disposition for Dressage and Eventing.” Wilhelm as he was named was one of a group of horses from a race-breeder and trainer. After a mere four months of training, Wilhelm won the second place in his first open show jumping, no faults, but was too impetuous over the jumps, due to his young age and strong desire to perform.
Later on Wilhelm was sold for the amazing price of $110,000.00.
Wilhelm went west as possible Gran Prix prospect and competitor. He was a once in a lifetime horse, the kind every trainer dreams of training.”
Maurizio later moved his business to Iowa where he started the Fifth Iowa Cavalry Volunteers Association. This was an educational non profit organization that portrays the cavalry life and drill of the past centuries in several events. He also continued training, coaching, stable management and instructing both students and instructors.
In 2007 Maurizio moved to Maine to manage Secret Acres Stable in Naples. My daughter and I had our first coaching sessions with Maurizio when he came for an interview. Jess, who is still perfecting the basics, and until she met Maurizio would become bored and inattentive after a ˝ hour of riding, was mesmerized. She didn’t lose concentration for a moment. I am an instructor / trainer and have been in the equine world since the 1950s. I have studied under many professional coaches including a member of the USET. Riding under Maurizio’s Coaching was an all-new experience. I learned more about communicating with my horse in an hour than I had learned in all my years of riding. This is what I had been looking for. He picked up on weaknesses that I was aware of, but didn’t know how to remedy. He didn’t just point out weaknesses; but showed me how to correct them.
I took what I had learned to my own students, and they were amazed.
Maurizio brought his continued interest in drill team performance to Maine, and has started a mounted drill team. This is a professional drill team, which meets at Secret Acres Stables on Friday evenings at 6:00. Individuals may bring their own horses or lease one from Secret Acres. According to Maurizio, “This is not only an opportunity to learn to ride, but also a possible professional activity for future developments. Join us and you will be very happy to do so, there are no military rules, just be present, enjoy the ride and obey to the coaches, this is a great opportunity to learn horsemanship correctly.”
Roberta Barbalace