Nicolò Tallone : The evolution of a true professional

Dear readers we are pleased to celebrate the new year, on our blog, with a wonderful interview together with Nicolò Tallone, Unika Ambassador and Endurance rider, Piedmontese DOC, class of 1991 who in life has chosen to dedicate himself to a trade as ancient as fascinating, that of the blacksmith. Nicolò lives in Dronero, in the province of Cuneo, together with his partner Sara Romano, also an Endurance rider. In December 2022 they became parents of the wonderful India, creating a truly “Unika” family.

Nicolò, how and when was your passion for horses born?

From a very young age – says Nicolò – at an early age, certainly thanks to my father, who was also very passionate, who sat me on the back of the horses we had at home even before I had learned to walk. It started like this and I never stopped.

Did you immediately dedicate yourself to Endurance?

Actually no – confesses Nicolò. I first approached the world of gallop racing and it is an environment in which I then worked for years. For a long time, I have been training track and race horses. Then, unfortunately, because of the economic crisis that around 2005 has inexorably overwhelmed the world of horse racing I decided to change course and turn my gaze elsewhere. And so, a bit by necessity and a bit by chance, because in my country they organized an amateur endurance race I approached this discipline, riding my first horse, the unforgettable “Diablo”.

How was your debut in endurance?

In the beginning I did some amateur races outside the F.I.S.E., then I decided to try to do something more with the intent to improve more and more and start competing in federal races. The person who first in the environment “discovered” me and gave me a chance was Antonello Noviello, at the time Team Chef of the Piedmontese team. In 2011 he gave me confidence and called me for the Endurance Regions Cup. Confidence was immediately rewarded because on that occasion Diablo and I won the individual bronze medal in the 60 km category

Back to Diablo, tell us a little about yourselves…

 Diablo and I started from scratch. Initially with him I dedicated myself to tests of skill and speed like the Gimkana races, then we started with a discipline called “Horseball “and, in 2009, when Diablo was 9 years old, we landed into the endurance world. Together we climbed the discipline in the true sense of the word. We started from the starting categories of 30 km and, race after race, also scoring victories and Best Condition awards, we qualified for the CEI*** 160 km international races and in 2013 we lined up at the starting line of the Italian Absolute Championships in Rome. With him I then continued racing until 2017.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article Nicolò is not only a horse rider but in life he chose a trade as ancient as fascinating, that of the blacksmith.

How did the interest in blacksmithing start and when did you decide to make it a profession?

I had a great interest in the art of blacksmithing from a young age and I always liked to watch blacksmiths at work when they came to our house to shoe our horses. When I was 16 years old, I had the opportunity to join a great professional for a long time and now a great friend, Ferruccio Blengio. This is how I started: from scratch, as a farrier’s assistant, but with a great desire to learn. It was not long before Ferruccio advised me to enrol in a specialized school and so in 2017 I started my professional path of 3 years at the “Mascalcia National School of Pinerolo” under the guidance of Marshal Blasio, with whom, even today, I happen to collaborate.

The picture that is being painted around the figure of our Nicolò is therefore that of a talented rider, a scrupulous blacksmith, a wonderful father and a loving companion. A life certainly full of satisfaction, but also of many commitments.

Riesci facilmente a coniugare lavoro, allenamenti, gare e famiglia?

Are you able to easily combine work, training, competitions and family?

More or less – ironically Nicolò answers, while a dry NO – but equally playful – comes from Sara’s voiceover. I can make this right with the help of my partner Sara and my parents. She helps me with the training of horses; while mine help us with the cleaning and feeding of all our animals. We also have a farm and therefore the overall amount of work is remarkable, but thanks to the constant and mutual help between us we always find a way

What are your plans for 2024 with your horses?

First of all, I want to say that being an enthusiast and not a trader the goal is always to make the horses grow as much as possible, but to keep them with us. We will take forward the younger ones, participating in the national races dedicated to them, the Masaf circuit, Anica and the Italian Young Horses cup. Currently in the stable we have 14 including foals, mares, horses at rest and horses in competitive activity. A special mention should be made to our Lady Kick (PSA of 2020 by Hakik x Laura Al Alfabia), the first from our farm, who this year will face the world of racing.

As for international events, the goal is to finish, riding my “Milordka de Helios”, a horse with which in 2013 won the Italian ANICA Championships, the famous “2 days of Barcelona”, one of the hardest and most prestigious races in Europe.

You have collaborated with the Unika team for several years now, how do you feel about it and what are your favourite products?

I have been collaborating with them for some time, but I have been using their products for many years… I think almost 15 years! We bought “Unika” before we even knew personally who was behind the name. Then, after having personally met the “Maiani” family and having joined the team, my conviction that it was a really good company was confirmed. What I like is that with them there is a true and sincere relationship, a mutual exchange of ideas and comparisons. They know how to listen to the rider and know how to respond effectively and concretely to the needs of horses, both in terms of nutrition and integration. I am very happy to be part of Team Unika. My favourite products are the “Adeno Booster” syringe in energizing single-dose pasta, the complete feed “Endurance” that I use as a basic dish and the “Rice Force“, the husk of pelleted rice that I use as an integration in the months of intense work, ahead of the races.

Before saying goodbye to Nicolò, since he is a font of knowledge, we ask him a couple of tips for the correct management of the feet of our horses all year round, but with an eye towards winter.

What do you suggest?

A product that I most definitely recommend is “Biotin Plus 10.000” perfect in every season for the correct growth of the hooves especially in periods when, due to competitions and workouts, the hooves are subjected to back-to-back shoeing. Regarding winter – concludes Nicolò – as already revealed in the video that appeared a few days ago on the social pages of Unika – I highly recommend the “Villate Gel“. during this season it is perfect for isolating the feet and keeping them away from moisture and mud.