Cremona, August 31, 2026—“In my long career, I’ve learned to always be prepared for the unexpected, and you’ll never hear me say that I’ve truly seen it all. But what happened in Cremona on Friday managed, once again, to surprise me,” Giancarlo Doardo, CremonaFiere event organizer.
Following the severe storm that struck Cremona on Friday, August 28, CremonaFiere immediately began recovery and safety operations across the exhibition grounds. The storm, accompanied by hail and exceptionally strong winds, caused significant damage to three of the four exhibition halls. See photos above.
Within 36 hours, the main safety operations had been completed, and the removal of damaged materials and debris was already underway. Work will continue over the coming weeks, with the objective of completing the main interventions by September 30, allowing the exhibition halls to return to full operation and ensuring that scheduled events already can take place as planned. See photos below.
Sporting events to proceed as scheduled
Despite the extensive damage, CremonaFiere has confirmed its commitment to maintaining the sporting calendar. The Cutting competition will go ahead as scheduled, with the event beginning tomorrow. The 2026 NRHA-IRHA Maturity, scheduled for September 8–13, is also confirmed. The event will take place in a modified venue layout due to the damage and resulting force majeure conditions, while maintaining the highest possible organizational and sporting standards.
The autumn season will continue with the 2026 IRHA-IRHBA-NRHA Reining Futurity & Italian Championship, scheduled for November 4–14, together with the Round Up country music event, taking place November 12–15.
“Our priority is to ensure continuity for the riders, horses, owners, breeders, and everyone who has been working for months toward these events,” says Giancarlo Doardo, organizer of the events at CremonaFiere. “An exceptional weather event should not compromise a sporting season built through months of commitment and preparation.”
Moving forward
Cremona Fiere and the TFY team are already fully focused on restoring the facilities and ensuring continuity of operations. The priority remains clear: To complete the necessary work as quickly as possible and enable the scheduled events to take place safely and successfully.
The work is already underway. Cremona Fiere is moving forward, and its major equestrian events will take place as scheduled.
Photos provided by TFY
By TFY revised press release
