MIETA: STORY OF A “UNIKA” MOTHER

Did you know that Mother’s Day has ancient origins? It was already celebrated in pagan times at the time of the Greeks and Romans and has always been celebrated in May. Linked to the cult of female deities and fertility, it marked the transition from winter to summer.

Centuries have passed since those distant times, but the spirit of this feast is always the same, celebrating women in the greatest expression of their femininity: motherhood. At Unika, on the occasion of this beautiful anniversary we thought would dedicate the article of our blog to the story of a mother, standing on all fours, really special.

This is the story of Mieta, an Anglo-Arab horse, born in 2005, who in the summer of 2015, on a normal day, was noticed by our ambassador Bruno Mollo and international endurance rider. Bruno is a blacksmith and that day he was in one of the stables where he usually works

“Mieta stood there alone, quietly, in a paddock – Bruno tells us. She was beautiful and “round”, it was clear that it was not a work horse, despite this her physicality attracted my attention. So, I asked the center’s owner for information, including a chance to see the paperwork.

Turns out Mieta was a complicated horse, especially in the saddle. She had changed several owners and completed a few endurance races not over 30 km, then nothing. Too characterful, too “hot” and unpredictable, but with a document of origin that highlighted some interesting bloodlines.
Many would have said thank you and moved their attention elsewhere, but Bruno Mollo is a rider of great ability and experience, accustomed to handling situations and horses that are not simple. Mieta for him at that time was more like an opportunity and not like a “dangerous” horse to leave there where it was. He chose her and took her home; time proved him right…
 
The first 3 qualifying races with Mieta, a 30 and two 60 km of regularity, were a nightmare – continues Stefania Bersano, Bruno’s partner and his trusted assistant in all competitions. Managing the mare under a certain hourly average was (and still is) very complicated, not to say almost impossible. Landing then in the 90 km at free speed, the difficulties of management in the saddle obviously did not decrease, but at that point the hitherto unexpressed potential of Mieta proved Bruno right. The mare, at its debut on long distances, won (at over 21km h of final average!) and also won the Best Condition award.
 
So, the good Bruno had seen long. From that moment he and Mieta collected numerous victories and important results. Let’s see which of these races have left them the most beautiful memories.
 
Surely – says Bruno without the slightest hesitation – the top ten in the CEI** 120 KM in Pisa in 2017 has left its mark. We did not win, but we competed and stood up to the horses of the United Arab Emirates in an international competition of the highest level. We arrived 7 times on over 150 starters and the first European pair to the finish line.
The victory of the Cei**120 KM of Follonica in 2018 and the two consecutive individual victories at the Trofeo delle Regioni Cat. 90 KM respectively in October 2018 and October 2019.
 

When was the decision made to let her be a mom?

It was a choice brought by “events”. Mieta was not stopped because of an injury – says Stefania. In October 2019 she had finished the season in great shape, but in 2020 with the arrival of the pandemic and all the complications related to it we thought, not to miss the year, to impregnate her. 11 months later a splendid female named Midjany (Mieta x Zidjani) was born.

How was the pregnancy?

Mieta managed her first pregnancy and childbirth with disarming ease. She seemed born for that. So much so that, as soon as it was possible, we got her pregnant again! The second pregnancy also went smoothly and gave us another girl. For her we chose a special name: Unika by Mieta (Mieta x Zersik); this is because we are grateful and proud of the trust that the Maiani family and the Unika team have placed in us since the beginning of our collaboration with the company.

What mom is Mieta?

An exaggerated mother – concludes with a touch of pride Stefania – really a super breeder. She carries out her pregnancies, parts included, with great ease and no complications. With her foals she is sweet, attentive, caring, but equally severe at the right time. Towards me and Bruno she is very permissive and confident and has always let us approach. We could not ask for more.

The future programmes

To date* Mieta is in the “Top 5” of the most winning horses in Italy in the “90 KM” category speed races with 8 victories, which also boasts 6 Best Condition awards! (For those who do not know in endurance the Best Condition is a special prize that is awarded to the horse that ends the competition in the best physical and metabolic conditions).

Mieta is 18 years old but the age sometimes, even more in his case, is only a number on a piece of paper; in fact, she is currently in preparation under the saddle of her rider Bruno Mollo, in view of the 2023 racing season.

The beautiful Unika by Mieta (1 year) and Midjany (2 years) instead, from the big paddocks, observe their super mom, fully enjoying the joys reserved for the foals: maximum freedom, great rides, great sleep and many many cuddles.

(*April 2023, source www.enduranceonline.it)