IHP CHRONICLE - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW

IHP CHRONICLE by International Horse Press Issue 1 - 2023 // 2022 Year In Review Editor-in-Chief Simona Diale Graphic Designer, Production and Design Chiara Milani EDITORIAL Assistant Editors Olivia Diale, Marie Klimovà

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• IHP - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW • 1

2022 NRHA Futurity

2022 NRHA Futurity The Recap When Shawn Flarida and Andiamoe hit the entrance in the Jim Norick Coliseum, the crowd was already cheering. They’d watched the absolutely masterful go-rounds, where Flarida and the royally bred mare had marked 228.5 and 224.5.

They knew what they were in store for.

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n the first stop, the crowd was so loud Flarida wasn’t sure Andiamoe heard him.

Regardless, Andiamoe knew the drill, sliding to a stop and scooting her way back to the center. From there, she riled the crowd up even further. On his final stop, Flarida’s smile was visible from the back gate.

As the score of 230 rang out over the audience, Flarida earned his seventh NRHA Open Futurity Championship and a payday of $350,000. With Andiamoe’s mother, NRHA Million Dollar Dam Wimpys Little Chic, Flarida earned his fourth Futurity Championship in 2007 – he also won the Futurity on her sire, Wimpys Little Step, in 2002. To make the feat

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Shawn Flarida & Andiamoe

Photos by Waltenberry By edited NRHA Press Release

“She’s a very happy horse. I just tried to stay out of her way.

She’s so determined, and she’s so confident. Sometimes I’ve just got to be there to pet her and tell her, ‘Hey, you did good.’

Very seldom do I ever have to tell her to work harder.

We do a lot of petting and a lot of walking.” determined, and she’s so confident. Sometimes I’ve just got to be there to pet her and tell her, ‘Hey, you did good.’ Very seldom do I ever have to tell her to work harder. We do a lot of petting and a lot of walking.”

Flarida said the list of those to thank would be too long for the page, but those at the top included his family, friends, wife, Sam, and his owners. “And my horse. She is absolutely amazing,” he said.

Finishing as the Level 4 Open Reserve Champions were Customize My Dream (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x Gunna Be Custom) and NRHA Three Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary. The pair put together a solid 228.5 run, earning $150,000 for owner Devin Warren and $7,500 for nominator Garth Hystad.

Photo Martina Tonello | IHP

more impressive, Flarida earned an NRHA Open Futurity Championship on Andiamoe’s father, as well, NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya. All owned by NRHA Hall of Famer and Two Million Dollar Owner Eleuterio Arcese’s Arcese QH USA. “She’s a very happy horse. I just tried to stay out of her way,” Flarida said about the mare bred, nominated, and owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Arcese Quarter Horses. “She’s so

Casey Deary & Customize My Dream

The Numbers Entries Open Non Pro Total

Horses 1,214 700 1,914

Open Non Pro Total

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Payout 410 206 616

Open Non Pro Total

$2,010,040 $ 728,954 $2,738,994

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2022 NRHA Futurity

Level 3 Open Champions Matt Mills & Walla Be A Bigstar Drawing last in the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Mills knew the scores to beat; a bobble on a rollback sparked a judges’ review, and Mills had to sweat.

Once the review was over, his score – a 222 – was enough to win the Level 3 Open Championship but also good for seventh in the L4. Mills won the $70,000 check for first in the L3 and an additional $52,634 for the L4.

Matt Mills & Walla Be A Bigstar

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“I’m just really happy for that horse. He’s incredible – we had that darn rollback, but I’m really, really pleased with this incredible horse,” Mills said about his mount by ARC Gunnabeabigstar and out of Andrea Costa, bred and Smart Little Walla, bred and nominated by Kim Adamic. The pair also finished second in the nominated by Danny Dalton.

Open Prime Time for total Tying for reserve in the Level 3 earnings of $44,076. with a 221.5 score were Martin Larcombe and Jordan Larson, Larson and HA Tune Of A Mobster took second in the who each marked 221.5.

Level 3 and tied for eighth in the Larcombe, who passed the Level 4 for total earnings of million-dollar mark in earnings $83,964. HA Tune Of A Mobster during the NRHA Futurity, rode (HF Mobster x HA Lena Smart Vincent Van Whoa (Spooks Tune) was nominated by Hillis Gotta Gun x FM Master Tag Akin Family Partnership and is Chex), a stallion he owns with now owned by Heritage Farms.

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Level 2 Open Champions Guglielmo Fontana & CD Gunnas Chex Olena Past NRHA Intermediate Open World Champion Guglielmo Fontana and CD Gunnas Chex Olena (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Mistis Chex Olena) earned the most frequent flier miles when

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2022 Guaranteed Payback Open Level 4 Open Champion: $350,000 L4 Open Reserve Champion: $150,000 Third place: $100,000 L3 Open Champion: $70,000 L3 Open Reserve Champion: $50,000 Third place: $35,000 L2 Open Champion: $50,000, L2 Reserve Champion: $25,000 Third place: $15,000 L1 Open Champion: $13,000 L1 Open Reserve Champion: $7,000

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Guglielmo Fontana & CD Gunnas Chex Olena

traveling to Oklahoma City from Italy to compete in the NRHA Futurity. The pair put together solid runs all week. With a 219.5 in the MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals, they closed as the Level 2 Open Champions and also tied for ninth in the Level 3 and 14th in the Level 4 for total earnings of $78,957.CD Gunnas Chex Olena was nominated and is owned by Società Agricola CD proud of my horse and for the Horses SRL. results we had together,” Fontana shared. “This is a dream because “I’m really happy with my horse. this is my first time to show here in He gave me everything. For me, it’s the States. We decided to come a dream to be here, and I’m really here three months ago, so this is

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something very special. To just be here tonight, it’s like I won.”

“Matteo [Rondanina] arranged the flight for myself and my horse, and then after showing in Ardmore, I moved my horse to Francesco Martinotti’s,” he explained. “I say a really big thank you to both of them.”

Following the Futurity, Fontana returned to his home in Italy. “We will see with the horse. Maybe we will come back next year. I don’t know yet; I have to speak about it with the owner,” he said.

Level 1 Open Champions Graddytude & Ethan Wiley Graddytude (Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner x Miss Little Addy Tude), bred and nominated

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2022 NRHA Futurity

Abby Lengel won the APHA Open Chrome Cash Incentive with her own Bringnthaheat (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six x Tackie Dreams)

WATCH THE RUN Ethan Wiley & Graddytude

by Toyon Ranch, brought home the L1 Championship and a $13,000 paycheck from the first section of Open Finals scoring a

216.5. “She’s a really good-minded horse,” rider Ethan Wiley said about the horse owned by Lisa and Mark Doering. “There is nothing that she doesn’t try to think through. Her strength, to me, is that she’s a team player.”

CINCH Non Pro Level 4 Co-Champion, Levels 3, 2, & 1 Champions William Clutter and Smokinintheboyzroom “Her heart is so big, and I know what she’s going to produce. We’ll get these babies and get her ready later on in the year, but right now, we’re just going take her home, pet on her, love on her, and get a couple babies.”

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illiam Clutter and his own Smokinintheboyzroom (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x Green Smokin Jacket) nominated by Alicia Rapp, marked

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William Clutter & Smokinintheboyzroom

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passed away earlier in the week after qualifying for yet another Non Pro Finals. “Kelle told me all year long that we’re Team Smith and that if I stumbled, she would pick me up, and if she stumbled, I would help her up. There is no doubt that Kelle took care of me tonight and it meant the world to me to be there for [her husband] Sam. This win was for my friends, Sam and Kelle. I’m just honored to be the guy that got to go in there and do this for them.”

Clutter and his father, Jay, purchased the mare a year ago from Max Morin. “Her heart is so big, and I know what she’s going to produce. We’ll get these babies and get her ready later on in the year, but right now, we’re just going take her home, pet on her, love on her, and get a couple babies.”

a 222.5 to tie for the CINCH Level 4 Non Pro Championship and swept the Levels 1, 2, and 3. All totaled, the pair won $119,895.

Clutter was adamant he wasn’t the only one in the arena. “Kelle Smith and I have worked together all year, every day. I ride six days a week with Kelle and Sam,” Clutter said, speaking of two-time NRHA Non Pro Futurity Champion Kelle Smith, who

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2022 Guaranteed Payback Non Pro L4 Non Pro Champion: $75,000 L4 Non Pro Reserve Champion: $45,000 L4 Third place: $35,000 L3 Non Pro Champion: $40,000 L3 Non Pro Reserve: $25,000 L3 Third place: $15,000

CINCH Non Pro Level 4 Co-Champions Gina Schumacher & Gunnin For The Nite

“I just rode. “I didn’t want to push him too much because he decides what he wants to do.

I was going to go with what he wanted to do.”

NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gina Schumacher captured her first NRHA Non-Pro Futurity title during a high-energy CINCH Non Pro Finals riding Gunnin For The Night (Gunnastrshya x Dun It Fri Tying for second in the Level 3 Dee Nite), a gelding bred and with scores of 220 were Indy Roper on Pretty Alrightt (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire WImpys Little Step x Justanother Dun It), nominated by Lewisville Development, LP, and Charles Wiederholt on Ima Magnum Survivor (Magnum Chic Dream x Golden Survivor), nominated by Deana Nell. He also finished fourth in the Level 4 for total earnings of $44,593.

• IHP - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW • 9

2022 NRHA Futurity

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nominated by Toyon Ranch. She earned $60,000 for the feat and an additional $28,707 on her other two horses.

“I just rode,” Schumacher said. “I didn’t want to push him too much because he decides what he wants to do and I was going to go with what he wanted to do. During the run I was thinking, ‘That [stop] was pretty good.’ And then after his first turn, I thought, ‘Well, that’s OK,’ and after the second turn, I thought, ‘Well, it’s over. I messed up; I’ll keep riding.’”

Schumacher navigated through the pattern just as she had done on her other two horses, CS O Bingo (Snip O Lution x Bingo Juicy) and CS Face The Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Face Of A Gun Model), but a bobble in her second turn had her thinking she was out of it. “He has his own way of doing things sometimes. He’s very special, he can get upset about little things you don’t expect a horse to get upset about. Like there is a guy

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Gina Schumacher & Gunnin For The Nite

CINCH Non Pro Prime Time Champions Charles Wiederholt & Ima Magnum Survivor

taking out the trash across the arena. I thank everybody. The whole crew, they’ve been working very hard all year,” Schumacher said. “They’ve been exhausted, tired, and they just keep pushing. I thank Ian, my mom, and my dad.”

Claiming the CINCH Non Pro Prime Time Championship was Charles Wiederholt and Ima Magnum Survivor (Magnum Chic Dream x Golden Survivor) with a score of 221.5. For the win, Wiederholt earned $2,190.

The pair also won fourth in the Level 4, for total earnings of $46,784, with $2,229 going to breeder and nominator Deana Nell.

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Jack Medows topped the L4 qualifier winning the APHA Chrome Cash Incentive with Fire N Rein (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Chicsdreamofdiamonds), owned and nominated by Amy Medows.

Charles Wiederholt & Ima Magnum Survivor

CINCH Non Pro Youth Champions Lane Colston & HA Chic

“My trainer, Jake Ballard, said, ‘Just put your hand down and go show your horse. It’s either going to go well, or it’s not.’”

Lane Colston & HA Chic

2022 NRHA Futurity Finals: Top 5 Leading Sires Sire/Open Finalists/Open Finals $/ Non Pro Finalists/ Non Pro Finals $/Total $

Gunnatrashya Magnum Chic Dream Spooks Gotta Whiz Shiners Voodoo Dr HF Mobster

10 4 13 5 1

$516,550 $190,635 $175,717 $103,824 $ 83,964

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5 4 8 7 1

$ 96,894 $182,034 $ 56,020 $ 54,089 $ 20,339

$613,444 $372,669 $231,737 $157,912 $104,303

Lane Colston brought home the CINCH Non Pro Youth Championship on HA Chic (HF Mobster x HA Chic A Tune), an NRHA Markel Futurity Sales grad, bred by Hills Akin Family Partnership and owned by Kevin Colston, with a score of 219.5, worth $1,316. The pair finished seventh in the Level 4 as well, worth an additional $19,023 in earnings.

• IHP - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW • 11

IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

The $800,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-Year Old Futurity and ELEMENTA FISE/IRHA Italian Championship Finals

November 11-19, 2022 | Verona Fiera - Italy

A week after the 124th edition of renowned Fieracavalli held in Verona, the capital of equestrian events in Europe opened its doors to European reiners competing in the 2022 edition of the IRHA/IRHBA Futurity. The best horses and riders in Europe showed in the beautiful Verona Fair pavilion vying for a spot in the Old Continent’s highest-ever Futurity purse—a joint venture between NRHA Hall of Famer Eleuterio Arcese, IRHA, IRHBA, FISE, ELEMENTA, and a huge number of supporting sponsors.

Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Simona Diale

WATCH THE RUN

Manuel Cortesi & July Joe Snap

IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

“If someone had to write this story, it couldn’t have been written better.”

The $324,000-Added 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-year-old Open Futurity: Standing Ovation for Cortesi and July Joe Snap

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n front of a full house, with standing space only, the 2022 edition of the Italian Futurity literally had the crowd in the Veronafiere stands cheering at the top of their voice from the first to the last horse-and-rider combination who happened to be the leaders of the composite score: Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap. When the duo closed their emotional and powerful run, a 227 appeared on the scoreboard accompanied by a standing ovation.

The $216,013-Added Level (L)4 Open Futurity

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Gennaro Lendi & The New Classic

way, there were days where we had to concentrate on understanding each other, but in both the gorounds, and especially tonight, we were in total harmony. Giacomo boarded his horses at my place and when I used to see him ride this stallion I knew they had the potential to win the Level 4 Open here.

At the end of the day, Giacomo won: Tonight he was in that saddle.” Prior to exiting the arena, Cortesi dropped his hat…

Championship was theirs.

Cortesi and his mount, a stallion by Master Snapper out of San July Jo Magnetic, bred by Giacomo Ronchi and co-owned by Ronchi/Cuoghi, also brought Roberto Cuoghi his third IRHA Open Championship as well as the IRHBA Breeders Award. For Cortesi, who gave up his non pro card in 2014, Verona earned With eight horses to go in the second section, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gennaro Lendi set the new bar him his first L4 Open Futurity Championship. by scoring a 224 riding The New Classic (All Losing a life-long friend a month prior to the Futurity, American Vintage x Whizzen For Chex) for owner making the decision to risk, not losing focus, and and breeder Eyal Carmon. The duo settled for the L4 sliding to the highest step of the podium was not an Open Futurity Reserve Championship. easy feat for the young Italian professional.

“This win was really a pleasant surprise,” said Lendi “Today, as soon as I got on him, I felt that he was with who will be starting his new adventure in 2023 at me,” said Cortesi after his run. “I’ve only been riding Gordon Performance Horses. “Until a week before him for the past month, after his co-owner and good coming here it was not in our intention to enter her friend Giacomo Ronchi prematurely passed away. since she is not enrolled in the IRHBA program. At Giacomo did an amazing job with him and along the the same time, I felt that she was a mare with a great

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Stefano Ferri & Spook Design

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Stefano Ferri & This Guys Smart

to lead the composite following the two qualifiers.

With the talented sorrel, Ferri performed to a 223.5 in the Finals and the $62,500-Added L3 Open Championship was theirs. A half-point behind, he also rode BO Ranch’s Spook Design (Smart Spook x Designed With Shine), who is also bred by Sternberg, to the L3 Reserve Championship.

heart so eventually we decided to bring her. She got better during the two go rounds and in the Finals.

The first go was good, then we worked together day after day and I am happy to say that I managed to handle her well. I kept her quiet and, considering the result, we can safely say that this was the winning strategy. She came to us as a yearling and we broke “We purchased this horse, along with his half-brother and trained her. I will be moving to the U.S. soon and Spook Design, as yearlings from Sterling Ranch and she will stay in Europe, possibly at the Foncks.”

Rosanne [Sterling] told us at the time that with these two prospects we could not go wrong,” said Ferri. “I Level 3 immediately liked them both and when they arrived “With these two prospects, in France in January, they became my babies even we could not go wrong.” though they have completely different personalities. I base my training program on the Italian professional based in France Stefano Ferri earth, air and fire elements: ‘Smart’ identifies with rode This Guys Smart, a stallion by NRHA Eight the water element as he is an introverted, Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of A Ruf Gal sensitive, and quiet horse whilst ‘Design’ is more owned by BO Ranch and bred by NRHA Two Million rational and an extrovert and identifies with air.

Dollar Owner and Hall of Famer Rosanne Sternberg, They are, however, horses with a great heart and

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Kristiaan Hermus & AK Magnum Lil Wimp

Level 2 “We drive 15 hours to get here, and shows here are always a blast.”

Claiming the $30,120-Added L2 Open Championship with a 219 was Kristiaan Hermus and AK Magnum Lil Wimp (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x RX Dodsons Lil Step), a mare owned and bred by AK Quarterhorses. “We started this mare, who is out of a mare we own, as a 2-year-old,” said the Dutch rider. “She has always been really sweet—even though earlier this year we had a little trouble at some of the WATCH THE RUN shows we took her to— and she just got better and better and each time stepped up her game. In the first go round here I had a little bobble in my second stop where I

talent and it’s been WATCH THE RUN hugely satisfying to bring them out of the pasture and into the show pen and to achieve such fantastic results. This evening was extremely emotional and I felt that they were with me the whole time. They were serious and attentive, so I can say that aside from the score, which is determined by the horse’s talent and quality of his maneuvers, I was extremely happy to see how they actually listened and I could tell and feel that they were happy to be there with me.”

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Dino Lulli & King Arthur Sailor

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xxx

#TwoHearts

miss-timed it and got in her way. The second go was much better and she was there for me all through the run. With each performance, she keeps improving; it’s amazing, and she is truly an amazing mare. This is my third Italian Futurity and I just love coming here. We drive 15 hours to get here to show our horses and always have a blast. The crowd and the atmosphere is always really good and to me, this is where the best of Europe’s reining is.”

Level 1 “We purchased this mare so that his owner could have fun but things went differently.”

In Numbers The $324,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-year-old Open Futurity is held in a two go round and seeded final. $216,000-Added (L) 4 counted 67 entries $62,530-Added L3 counted 57 entries $30,128-Added L2 counted 61 entries $15,348-Added L1 counted 34 entries

With a great ride, Dino Lulli and King Arthur Sailor (AB Captain Badger x Im A Queen Diamonds), a stallion owned by Igor Todini and bred by Angelucci Quarter Horses, scored a 217.5 to claim the $15,350-Added L1 Championship.

“This is a really easy horse to ride, level-minded, and a born stopper,” said a thrilled Lulli. “I purchased him in February for my client, Igor [Todini]. He is really well bred and his dam won the Level 3 Open Futurity with Pierluigi Fabbri in the saddle. At first, our intention was to buy a good horse so that his owner could have fun.

Things went differently; we won the Regional Veneto L1 Open Futurity with a 144 and…we decided to bring him here to the ‘big’ Futurity. We are all really happy with this result.” Lulli and his mount also took the Level 2 Open Reserve Championship.

The L1 Reserve Championship with a 214.5 score was for Maurizio Ferraris and Elektra Step (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Electric Code x Chica Little Step), a mare owned by Samuele Varale and bred by Claudio Zocchi.

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$145,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro Futurity: Matteo Capello Shines with Shya Shine A great IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro 3-year-old Futurity Final thrilled the crowd in the stands at Veronafiere.

Sweeping the $ 77.309,88-Added Level (L)4 and $ 39.791,85-Added L3 Non Pro Championships was young Matteo Capello aboard Alberto Capello’s Shya Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Shyawhiz).

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Matteo Capello & Shya Shine

IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

“Winning this event is always a great honor, especially with this great mare.”

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fter tying to win the Non Pro qualifier, and with one horse left to go in the Finals, Capello performed a flawless run aboard the blue-eyed mare bred by Piergiuseppe Guidetti. Their run was paid back by the judges with a 220.5 which slid them to first place in the L4, a first for Capello, and in the L3. “It was a great ride and the mare, as we all expected, was perfect,” said the enthused young rider from Italy. “Winning this event is always a great honor, especially with this fantastic mare that I have had since this summer. We purchased her from Maurizio Ferraris and I liked her immediately. I now ride with Manuel [Cortesi] and I love the way he prepares his horses. He makes everything simple, makes them easy to show, they’re always between the reins, and I have to give him credit for this title. I also would like to thank my family, my girlfriend, and the Cortesi team…it truly takes a village to achieve these results.”

The L4 Non Pro Reserve Championship with a 216.5 was for Italian Ewald Rifeser aboard Millenium Reminic, a gelding by Mifillenium out of The Smartest Reminic owned by Petra Burger and bred by Vittorio Rabboni. Rifeser also tied for reserve honors in the L3 with Elena Kompatscher and Monster Made, a stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six out of Made Of Pure Spangled, owned by Jacopo Rossi and bred by Joao Marcos’ Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC.

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Level 2 Tying to win the $ 17.053,65-Added L2 division with a 214.5 score was Austrian Julia Gaupmann-Lechner aboard Highland Gun (Tinseltownsmokingun x ARC Ms Whiz), a stallion owned by Julia and Klaus

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WATCH THE RUN Julia Gaupmann-Lechner & Highland Gun

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Lechner bred by LG Quarter horses and Anna-Maria Zehetbauer riding Sailin Gun Dee (Mr Gun Dee x Fancy My Sail), a double registered AQHA/APHA gelding owned by Ziedelhof Reining Horses and bred

by Richard or Melanie Zehetbauer.

“I am speechless,” said Gaupman-Lechner. “This is the second futurity win for us. The first was the NRHA Germany Breeders L2 Non Pro Futurity and now here! He was with me the whole week, so I am really happy about these results. We bred this horse and I showed both his sire and dam, so he was really special from the beginning. I plan to show him again next year in the 4-year-old events and would like to tweak some little things in the maneuvres, so I am excited to show him in the future.”

Zehetbauer, who tied to lead the qualifier and was last in the draw, was also thrilled. “I’m overwhelmed and really happy. This is my third

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Anna-Maria Zehetbauer & Sailin Gun Dee

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IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

futurity and third futurity championship and that makes me proud,” she shared. “I love this horse so much. He felt really good today, was concentrated, and was very kind and easy. He will have a well-deserved winter break now and then we will be back again at the NRHA European Futurity next year.”

Davide. She is really a special mare; very mature, really quiet, and one of the best-minded horses I have ever ridden. Today I am really proud of her. She had an incredible season,” said Darmon, who has been riding under the guidance of Italian Professional Brighenti since this past September. “I plan to keep the mare in training with Davide, because he did an awesome job with her and his team is amazing. The Level 1 training, the grooming, the whole atmosphere there is so much fun for a non pro. Now plans are to show French Sasha Darmon and her own Chilled her at the NRHA European Futurity in Cremona.”

Queen, a mare by NRHA Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize out of Kea Chex, bred by Davide Denise Kummer of Austria and her own Gunboy Brighenti, scored a 213 to clinch the $11,370-Added (Tinseltownsmokingun x SZ Customs Newcomer), L1 Non Pro Championship. “I bought her at the a stallion bred by LG Quarter Horses, scored a 211.5 beginning of this year and she stayed in training with to claim the L1 Reserve Championship.

WATCH THE RUN Sasha Darmon & Chilled Queen

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IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

Czechowicz Leaves His Mark In the $212,000-Added IRHA/NRHA 4-Year-Old Open Futurity Excitement ran high in Verona as the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity finalists gave all they had to clinch the titles and paychecks up for grabs in the highest-paying 4-year-old Open Futurity ever offered in Europe.

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evel of competition ran deep, scores rose, and so did the public’s cheers as some of Europe’s best horses and riders performed in the Veronafiere Arena. Half way through the second section, the loudest cheering was for Poland’s Lukasz Czechowicz and CSG Kenzo (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Shiner Brimolena) who thrilled the fans with his powerful yet smooth ride. From the first stop and back, through the fast and precise spins, to the speed transitions and imperceptible lead changes, Czechowicz’s mount stopped deep in the ground raising the dirt which resulted in the highest score of the evening—a 227.5—and the win in both the $ 144.390-Added Level L(4) Championship as well as the $ 38.654-Added L3 title.

“These are both great horses,” said an enthused Czechowicz. “CSG Kenzo was born at Roleski Ranch and I’ve had him in training him since he was a 2year-old. CSG Wisemanfear was born at Brent Loseke’s facility and came to Poland as a yearling, so I also started him. Both these horses are just amazing.

CSG Kenzo is a little more laid back and lazier horse, while ‘Wiseman’ is more energetic, but they are both well-minded and ever so talented. Katarzyna is very happy with both of them today and I am too. We don’t have plans for them for next year, most likely we will take them to the derbies, but we’re not sure about which horse will go to which derby yet. I want to thank Katarzyna very much and of course my family - my wonderful wife and daughter - for always supporting me, and of course a thank you also goes to my sponsors.”

“Both these horses are just amazing. CSG Kenzo is a little more laid back and lazier horse, while Tying for co-reserve honors in the L4 was Manuel ‘Wiseman’ is more energetic, but they are both Cortesi of Italy riding Letters To Juliet, (Master well-minded and ever so talented.”

Snapper x San July Jo Magnetic), a mare owned by Giacomo Ronchi and Roberto Cuoghi, bred by Owned and bred by Katarzyna Roleska, CSG Ronchi. Emotions ran high when Manuel was asked Kenzo was joined by CSG Wisemanfear—a stallion about his horse co-owned by Ronchi who

by Colonels Shining Gun out of Tejana Chic also prematurely passed away in October. owned by Roleska—to top honors with Czechowicz in the saddle tying for reserve spot in “Giacomo has always managed to create wonderful the L4 division and to the Reserve Championship foals; he trained them beautifully, and they are all in the L3 only a half-point behind. physically and mentally healthy.”

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Lukasz Czechowicz & CSG Kenzo

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• IHP - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW • 27

IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

“I have been riding her for about a month,” said Cortesi. “I really didn’t do much with her after all, I just rode her. It’s just that she was so incredibly well trained by Giacomo who did an absolutely fantastic job with her. At first I did not want to ride her but then his parents asked me if I wanted to try her out and as soon as I did I immediately felt at ease with her. I just applied a bit of what my usual working method is and changed a few things around, but the horse was already prepared and ready for competition. I showed her in a few schooling classes but truly, the horse is a level higher than the others! Giacomo has always managed to create wonderful foals; he trained them beautifully, and they are all physically and mentally healthy. He cared greatly for them, they were part of his family, and being able to achieve this result in his honor gives us all joy. We certainly did not expect to ride to such a high score, as a matter of fact, she performed so well that I believe Giacomo helped us from above. I will not deny that it was very emotional and this win is dedicated to Giacomo. He worked so hard to train his horses and this was a way of bringing his work to the finishing line. Everything you saw belongs “My horse’s breeding speaks for itself. We already won the L3 and L2 at the NRHA Germany to him; I just showed her.”

Breeders Futurity and finished reserve in L4. At this show, we had a little bit of bad luck in the go Level 2 round, but we still made the L2 finals and here Opting to share the $19,330-Added L2 Co- we are. She is a really fun mare with a great Championship was Dutch Tiara van Dongen personality,” said van Dongen. “Most of the time riding Orangeisthenublack, (NRHA Eight Million she is lazy, but she can also be a little spicy when Dollar Sire Smart Spook x NRHA Million Dollar she wants, but once she’s on your side she is an Dam Ebony Shines), a mare owned by Gisela amazing show horse. In the warm-up, I Haas and bred by NRHA Two Million Dollar sometimes feel like nothing is going to work; as Owner Rosanne Sternberg, and Kaya Haissar of soon as we are in the show pen, she makes it Israel aboard Sail On Chexx, (Chexolution x work. Tonight wasn’t perfect, but I am very Sailor Whiz Ina), a stallion owned and bred by happy with her. I was not completely there in my mind, so everything that went wrong was on me, Eyal Carmon. Both scored a 219.5 for the win.

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Tiara van Dongen & Orangeisthenublack

WATCH THE RUN but I am happy anyway.

This was the last show of the year and we have had an amazing season, so I’m really grateful.

Next year we are going to flush an embryo out of her to pass on her great bloodlines and we plan to enter the derbies. Our hope is to keep doing what we are doing.”

Just as happy was Haissar. “This horse is very special to me,” he shared. “He was born at our ranch in Israel and I won the Israeli Derby on his sire and a year later on his dam. He is the best horse we have. He has a great personality and I believe he has a bright future ahead of him. We arrived in Italy only a week ago from Israel and he did most of the job today. He is going to stay in Europe after this show and will be shown at the derbies next year and hopefully make the L4 finals.”

Level 1

Kaya Haissar & Sail On Chexx

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Italian Giovanni Zucchi and CS Mr Wonderful (Dun Gotta Gun x Bingo Juicy), a gelding owned and bred

by XCS Ranch LLC, rode to a 220.5 score and the $9,095-Added L1 Open WATCH THE RUN Championship.

“We purchased this horse in February from Gina Schumacher, at CS Ranch,” said Zucchi.

“Unfortunately we did not make the L2 Finals but this evening he

• IHP - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW • 29

IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

proved to be a wonderful WATCH THE RUN horse with a lot of potential and I hope that in future he will get even better. He is a really good horse with ample possibilities to grow. He was a little ‘green’ at the beginning of this year but with a few shows and schooling classes he improved a lot. Here he was great right from the start, except maybe for the first day when the ground was a little slick for him, but in the following days it improved and this evening he was perfect!”

Mattia Camisi of Italy and PL Gunspooky (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner x Spook Reyns), a stallion owned and bred by Luigi Parise, scored a 218.5 to claim the L1 Open Reserve Championship.

Giovanni Zucchi & CS Mr Wonderful

From Eleuterio Arcese, IRHA President The history of the sport of reining is an extraordinary one which, among obstacles and incredible successes, has been by my side all my life. Thanks to the trust and esteem on behalf of all IRHA partners and, in particular, that of the newly elected Board, last year I was elected President of the Association. A privilege, an honor, but at the same time a wonderful challenge that I accepted with the intent of giving—as is in my nature— the utmost support so as to make this discipline that unites us grow further. I would like to personally thank you all—riders, owners, breeders, sponsors, and reining enthusiasts— for the commitment and passion you have for the sport of reining which has helped us achieve new and important goals. This year we lived a special event together: The 2022 Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity & FISE/IRHA/ELEMENTA Italian Championship Finals. Together with the IRHA board, we invested our resources and energy. Thanks to the collaboration with IRHBA, FISE, Fiera di Verona, and NRHA, we made a dream become reality. Verona, the center of the equestrian world, staged the sport of reining by hosting this Italian event with the highest added money ever offered: $800.000,000. Together we produced an unprecedented IRHA reining show in Europe and we sincerely appreciate your contribution in writing this new chapter of our story.

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$101,185-Added IRHA/NRHA 4-Year-Old Non Pro Futurity: Egenter and Eyes Of Whiz Dominate It was truly a special event for Lucie-Lena Egenter of Germany who showed off her horse’s talent as well as hers. Her part-time trainer, NRHA Professional Grischa Ludwig, praised the 18-year-old for her professionalism.

“L

ucie does it all by herself; here and there I help her a little bit but ever since we’ve known each other, she thinks like a professional which makes it easy for me,” said Ludwig. “She knows what she is doing, she always has a plan, and for her age it’s amazing.” The young rider performed to a 218.5 in the qualifier, leading all the levels, and rode to the same score in the finals claiming the $53,435-Added Level (L)4, $28,420-Added L3, $11,370Added L2 and $7,960-Added L1.

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Lucie-Lena Egenter & Eyes Of Whiz

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IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-and-4-year old Futurity

“Tonight she wasn’t there for me all the way, probably since it’s been a tiring week.

Her run-in, circles, and spins were great, but her stops weren’t up to her usual standard. That’s a shame because it’s her best maneuver. In any case, I am happy with her and look forward to our future together.”

Eyes Of Whiz (One Gun x Luga Whiz) is owned by her mother Bettina Egenter, who runs their small-scale home barn. The Egenters purchased the talented gelding last year in April from Italian Carlo Sara, who bred him. “It’s crazy, I can’t believe we won Level 4!

We’ve been trying all year but somehow something always went wrong, probably because we still had to get to know each other. Tonight, I am more than happy! He was wonderful and I think we finally found each other’s ‘right buttons.’” Prior to making their way to Verona, the two made the finals in the 2021 NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity and 2022 NRHA European Futurity. They then went on to win the ARHA Non Pro Futurity L1 and 2 as well as reserve honors in L3 and 4.

Andreu Nogue Puig and his mare Simple The Best 66 (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six x ARC Yellow N Lime), scored a 216.5 for reserve honors.

“My mare was great and has a heart of gold,” said the Spanish rider about his mare who he won the IRHA Non Pro Futurity with last year.

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Claiming reserve honors with a 216 score in both the L3 and 2 Non Pro divisions was Austrian Alexander Nestelberger riding his Doctor Cop (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Finest Copyshot), owned by Schlager & Nestelberger Partnership. “This horse always saves my life! He is always there to help me when I make mistakes and I am so happy with him,” said Nestelberger about his flashy home-bred palomino stallion. “We’ve had a good year and now we will rest as we look forward to next year.”

Young Camilla Orlandini of Italy and Sparkwest (Spark N Whiz x West Coast Oak), a gelding owned by her mother Alice Orlandini, performed a great ride paid back by the judges with a 215.5 early in the draw.

Their score held to take home the L1 Reserve Championship. “I can’t hold the tears back; this is the best day of my life,” said the young rider who trains under the guidance of her father, NRHA Professional Paolo Orlandini. “I’ve been riding since I was tiny and I started showing when I was seven. Winning this prestigious title is a dream come true and I cannot thank my horse enough.”

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2022 ELEMENTA/FISE/IRHA Italian Champions

Rookie Level 2 Champions Vincenzo Baracchi and his JC Dunit Star

Novice Horse Open Champions Filippo Paris and Nightcrawler owned by Maria Cecilia Fiorucci

Rookie Level 1 Champions Annalisa Solbiati and LM Kaliwood owned

by Massimo Solbiati

Novice Horse Non Pro Champions

Ladies Champions

Roberta Gianformaggio and her Shining N Speedy Gun

Alessandra Ischia and Badgerina Diamonds owned by Angelucci Quarter Horses

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Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro Champions Mattia Cosio and Hollywood Reminy owned by Ilary Nanni

Entry Level Youth Champions Elia Kompatscher and Doc Magic Brown owned by Alois Kompatscher

Over 50 Non Pro Champions Andrea Castrucci and RS Nebbiolo Blue owned by KN Reining Resort

Limited Non Pro Champions Claudia Rizzola and her Step In The Night

Green Reiner 2 Champions Arianna Ranucci and her Rooster N Hollywood

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Open / Intermediate Open / Limited Open Champions Filippo Paris and Dun For The Nite owned by Maria Cecilia Fiorucci

Youth 13 & Under Champions Nico Falcone and GI A Classic Whiz owned by Luciano Falcone

Youth 14-18 Champions Jan Gasser and his Hug A Spark

FISE PARA REINING FINALS

Limited Open Open Champions Nicolò Maggi and Steady Wind SG - Instructor Massimo Villa (Monsereno Horse Asd)

Agata Fumagalli and Dun Little Princess - Instructors Gigi Panzieri / Massimo Villa (Monsereno Horse Asd)

Intermediate Open Champions Agnese Agostinelli and Ygo Chex – Instructor Loredana Capone (Country Club I Gelsi)

Grade 4

Grado 3

Paolo Pettena and Energy For Me - Instructor Nicola Cordioli / Susi Zerbinatti (Cavallo Reining Asd)

Martina Panizza and Commanders Blue - Instructor Roberto Prevosti (Rapallo Horses Asd)

NRHA European Futurity

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Bernard Fonck & GP The Stud In Town

Photos by Wanted Photo

By Simona Diale

2022 NRHA European Futurity

May 23-29, 2022 | BO Ranch - France

Riders representing 12 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland) made their way to BO Ranch, La Chapelle-la-Reine, France, where the 2022 edition of the $344,514-Added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity was held.

NRHA European Futurity

Fonck Brings Home His Second NRHA European Futurity Open Title The inaugural NRHA European Futurity was held in Kreuth, Germany, in 2009.

Clinching the Level (L)4 Open Championship was NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck aboard Sail On Top Whizard—aka “Topper”— at the time owned by Dany Cerato. At Topper’s last home, BO Ranch, Paris, France, where the 2022 Euro Futurity was held, Fonck conquered his second title.

W

ith a 227.5 score, NRHA Two Million Dollar Bernard Fonck and GP The Stud In Town (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x CP Surprise) owned, bred, and nominated by Golden Paint Ranch, conquered the crowd, the judges, and the MS Diamonds TX $41,808-Added L4 European Open Futurity Championship. “My palomino was really good in both the qualifier, where I didn’t really need to push him, and in the finals. I would really like to thank the owners for allowing me to school him at shows before coming here and getting him ready for this,” said the Belgian.

“This is a really great facility, and I would like to thank Greg and Claire Morat for supporting our sport.” Both Fonck and owners, Golden Paint Ranch, received the inaugural NRHA European Futurity Open

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#Moments

Mirko Midili & Spark Made Whiz

Championship ring sponsored by NRHA Official Global Partner MS Diamonds TX. Reserve honors with a 226.5 score were for Italian Mirko Midili and Spark Made Whiz (Spark N Whiz x Mare Made), a mare bred, owned and nominated

by Luga Quarter Horses.

Level 3 MMA Open Italian Davide Brighenti & BB Gotta Gold Tinsel (Gotta Gold Chain x JP Grays Starlett), a stallion owned, bred, and nominated by Barbara Braun, scored a 220 claiming the $31,356-Added L3 European Open Futurity Championship. “This is a fantastic horse I got in training when he was a 2year-old and I immediately knew he was very talented,” said Brighenti. “He is very athletic, but

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NRHA European Futurity WATCH THE RUN Davide Brighenti & BB Gotta Gold Tinsel

most of all he is honest and is a show horse. We were ready to show when we got here and I tried to ride him as little as possible since the arena is big and I am thrilled for this result.”

Riding to the Co-Reserve Championship, with a 227 score, was Germany’s Grischa Ludwig aboard Alexandra Schmitz’s Shine My Picabo (Shine My Gun x Custom Rome), a mare bred and nominated by Michel Rose, and Dominik Reminder of Germany riding Rock Crusher (Shine Chic Shine x Jokin Peppy), a stallion bred and nominated by Cecilia Frediani and owned by Jaqueline Seger.

Andrea Costa & Phantom Chic Dream

Level 2 Chateaux Prestige Open Andrea Costa of Italy and Phantom Chic Dream (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x Phantom Of The Arena), a gelding owned and nominated by Christian-Peter Zinsli, scored a 215.5 to claim the $20,904-Added L2 Championship. “We purchased this horse bred by Peter Morgan as a 2-year-old in the States and brought him to Italy,” said the Italian rider. “[NRHA Professional] Martin Larcombe—who I worked for in the past—went to try him out for us. This winter he matured a lot, we gelded him, and has become by Stefan Loeffler, won better and better lately. I am so happy for this title, both L2 Reserve honors in particular for the owner who truly deserves it.” and the $1,750-Added American Paint Horse With a 215 score, Johannes Hasenauer of Association Level 4 Germany and Stepup For Lil Gun (Colonels Lil Open European Futurity Gun x Step Up And Play) owned and nominated Chrome Cash Incentive.

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#Moments Johannes Hasenauer & Stepup For Lil Gun

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Level 1 Quarter Dream Open With a 214.5 score, Glen-Arthur Estival and Heza Frozen Inferno (Inferno Sixty Sixty x Sailor Will Win), a stallion bred and nominated by Azienda Agricola Le Fattorie di Matilde, owned by Latigo Global Equine LLC, took home the L1 Open title. “I purchased this horse after the Italian Futurity last year where he was shown by [Professional] Arnaud Girinon,” said the French rider. “This is the first show with him and I’m very happy with the way he went here.”

Taking second place honors—two points behind the winners—was Paolo Driussi and his home-bred mare PD My Magnetic Star (Chic Magnetic x Antar Bueno), owned and nominated by Driussi.

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Glen-Arthur Estival & Heza Frozen Inferno

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NRHA European Futurity

Spanish Flag Flies High As Nogué Puig and Simple The Best 66 Clinch The NRHA European Futurity Non Pro Championship The 2022 NRHA European Futurity closed with the $104,520-Added BO Ranch European Non Pro Futurity. Non Pro qualifier leaders, Andreu Nogué Puig and Simple The Best 66, closed their performance in the finals with a 215 score and the $41,808-Added Cardinal Reining Horses Level (L)4 Open Championship to their name.

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Andreu Nogué Puig & Simple The Best 66

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WATCH THE RUN

Nadine Kamintzky & Frozen Gambler

S

panish Nogué Puig and his own Simple The Best 66, a mare by Inferno Sixty Six out of ARC Yellow N Lime, bred by Ambrosini Quarter Horses ASD and nominated by Lenka Lukackova, had already left their mark in the arena by winning the 2021 Italian Reining Horse Association L4 and L3 Non Pro Championships.

They made their way to France and left with the 2022 Non Pro title under their belt. “The final was great and I am really happy with all her maneuvers today. Even though she was a little tired, she gave me all she had,” said Nogué Puig about his mare who he purchased as a yearling.

“I love her, and I can still picture what I could see between her ears when I rode her for the first time as a 2-year-old. The show here was wonderful and now plans are to show her at the NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity in Kreuth and the IRHA 4-year-old Futurity. I could not be any happier about our journey together.”

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Markel Insurance Level 3 Claiming the $ 31,356-Added Markel Insurance L3 Non Pro Championship as well as the L4 Reserve Championship with a 213.5 was Nadine Kamintzky riding her own Frozen Gambler (SG Frozen Enterprize x Surprise Me Gamble), a gelding bred and nominated

by Davide Brighenti. “I am overwhelmed…I did not expect this! I was so insecure as I have not ridden him much since he was back in training and I actually told my trainer [Brighenti] that maybe we should not come here,” shared Kamintzky. “It was a long and windy week but really nice. My horse got better and more focused every day and I am super thrilled.”

NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and renowned Italian breeder Claudio Risso riding his own RS Maiorca Jac (RS Great Jac Feona x RS Shadow Olena), a mare he owns, bred and nominated, scored a 212.5 for the Reserve Championship.

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NRHA European Futurity

Manuel Bonzano & Miss Machine Gun

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Toyon Ranch Level 2 Riding to the $20,904-Added Level 2 Non Pro Championship was multiple past NRHA Non Pro World Champion Manuel Bonzano riding Miss Machine Gun (Yankee Gun x Sanditch Rooster), a mare owned by Azienda Agricola 23 Quarter Horses and nominated by Maria Sole Cubeddu, scored a 212, enough to earn him the Championship. “It was an emotionally difficult show for me, but I am happy because we managed to do well,” said Bonzano. “This mare is out of a mare I own and Bebe Sarao trained her. She was still a little green as a 3-year-old, but she matured a lot and this year she really is solid.

I am happy with this result and I have to give credit to my trainer Dominik Reminder. She’s a wonderful non pro horse and I am so happy that all our new 23 Team made the finals in the divisions they were entered in.”

ELEMENTA Level 1 Denise Kummer rode her own Chic Is My Gun (Tinseltownsmokingun x LV One Smart Lady) to a 211.5 claiming the L2 Reserve Championship as well as the $10,452-Added 1 title. With the mare bred and nominated by Julia GaupmannLechner, the Austrian rider shared that her ‘small little mare’ had a tough time competing with her fellow reiners but did a very good job. “She was so calm and the great thing about her is that she always manages to take care of my nerves.”

Denise Kummer & Chic Is My Gun

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Matt Legrand of France and GB ACDC Electriclady (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x LC Electric Lady), a mare owned, bred and nominated by Gregory Legrand, scored a 209.5 for Reserve honors.

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APHA Level 4 Non Pro European Futurity Chrome Cash Incentive

Filippo Antonutti & AK One Little Gun

Filippo Antonutti and his own AK One Little Gun (One Gun x RX Dodsons Lil Step), a gelding bred and nominated by AK Quarter Horses, scored a 209 which earned him the $1,750-Added Level 4 Non Pro Chrome Cash Incentive win.

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The 14th edition of the NRHA European Futurity once again wrote another important chapter thanks to the great NRHA and BO Ranch Teams.

Ambassador Denise Bauer Saddles up Paint Style at NRHA European Futurity Ambassador Bauer also took a Paint Horse stallion for a spin. After watching his rider, 9-year-old Emanuel Gebert of Germany, demonstrate reining maneuvers with “Lotti,” the ambassador took the reins and received a short lesson from Emanuel’s father, Professional Markus Gebert.

A horse lover and equestrienne, Ambassador Bauer walked, jogged and learned to spin on the 9-year-old bay overo. Lotti was produced using genetics imported from the U.S. and foaled in Germany.

Photos Ctanierephotographie

In a series of historic firsts, U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Bauer visited the 2022 NRHA European Futurity and rode an American Paint Horse after APHA extended an invitation to the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Ambassador Bauer toured the “French cathedral of reining,” visited with European Paint Horse owners, watched the European Futurity Open Finals and saw firsthand a beautiful example of American agriculture exports— horses foaled in the United States or produced using imported genetics.

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NRHA European Futurity

Ancillary Action

Posting a 224.5, Grischa Ludwig of Germany aboard Margot Van Doorne’s Spooks Of Genius (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x A Spark Of Genius) topped the $5,000-Added Sterling Ranch NRHA Open Class and the $3,250-Added American Paint Horse Association Open Chrome Cash Incentive Class.

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Stephanie Blessing and Dance Gotta Gun (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun x Dance Little Spook), owned by Grey Stone Ranch GmbH, topped the GD Performance Horses $3,000-Added NRHA Non Pro as well as the APHA Amateur Chrome Cash Incentive. The pair closed their run with a 217.5 score.

Italy’s Pietro Artinghelli riding Missbobsdaughter (Dunnit Like A Master x Miss Bh Gun Shine), owned

by Alessandro Tabarrini, took home the $3,000Added Italian Reining Horse Association NRHA Intermediate Open Class with a 209 score.

Winning the Argeville $450-added NRHA Limited Open Class with a 213 score was Paulus Beurskens of The Netherlands riding Gisela Haas’ Cee U In Tinseltown (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Miss Wimpy Hollywood).

Topping the Jean Niel $1,500-Added NRHA Intermediate Non Pro and the $450-Added James NRHA Limited Non Pro Classes with a 214 score was Jayden Feichter aboard Wimpys Little Chees (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x Tuck Oak Enterprise) owned by Edith Zenouda.

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NRHA European Affiliate Championship

Grischa Ludwing & Spooks Of Genius

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Photos by Tom Hautmann

By Simona Diale

2022 NRHA European Affiliate Championship NRHA

EUROPEAN AFFILIATE July 11-17, 2022 | CS Ranch - Switzerland

Beautiful CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland, welcomed yet another record number of competitors vying for the European Affiliate Championship titles at the SVAG CS Classic 2022 which included the prestigious NRHA Open and Non Pro ancillary Classes. $18,000-Added NRHA EAC Open Grischa Ludwig riding Spooks Of Genius (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x A Spark Of Genius), owned by Margot Van Doorne, scored a 228.5 for the Championship.

Alicias Conquistador) owned by Anneliese & Hermann Meinert, to a 226.5 and second place.

Fonck also tied for third place riding CS Sailing Gun (Gunners Enterprise x La Bigia Sailor), a stallion owned by CS Ranch Management SA, along with Ludwig riding West Coast Trash (NRHA Seven “I am speechless. Last night I promised my dad that Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Miss Cody Whiz I would win the NRHA Open—and we did—and It), a stallion owned by Margot Van Doorne. today he said ‘son, do it again.’ It’s been a long, hot week here, so I wasn’t sure we could repeat what we $5,000-Added NRHA EAC Intermediate Open did yesterday but we did it again and it is very Sharing the EA Intermediate Open Championship emotional for me. I am truly fortunate to have such was French Axel Pesek riding his own stallion great horses to ride and once again the public was Reloaded Gun (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire amazing.”

Gunner x Shes Berry Flashy) and Steve Ouellet NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck of Belgium aboard Steadynest Dude (Steadys Dude x Finest rode Colonels Whize Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Chicolena), a stallion owned by Christian Koehl of

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pen, so that’s one point I really had to work on but his two qualities are his great mind and heart which brought us to win these two prestigious titles,” said Ouellet.

Third place was for Stefano Ferri of Italy riding A Ruff Spookin Gal (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x A Ruf Gal), a mare owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Rosanne Sternberg.

Axel Pesek & Reloaded Gun

Vera Schlauri & Jac Whiz

Steve Ouellet & Steadynest Dude

Germany. The duo also claimed the $2,000-Added NRHA EAC Limited Open title.

“I purchased this horse a year ago and we won quite a bit last year,” said the 22-year-old rider from France.

“This year started off well, and our goal was to win the title here so it’s super.”

“Six years ago my wife [Alessia Vincenzi] and her favorite horse had a bad accident that almost cost her life. The following years were of course difficult and the one companion that did not change was Dude.

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Poland’s Rafal Dolata rode CR Blue Chrome (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite x Nu Chexy), owned by Nagiec Arkadiusz and bred by Dave Roberts, to second place in the EA Limited Open followed by Lena-Marie Maas and Arnels Spat Olena (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spat Olena x RS Arnels Feo Jac), owned and bred by German Sabrina Adam.

$2,000-Added NRHA EAC Rookie Professional Earning her first EAC title was Swiss Vera Schlauri riding Jac Whiz (Conquistador Whiz x Honeys Melody Jac). The 2009 gelding was bred in France by Catherine Castel and is owned by Schlauri’s companion, Fabien Boiron. “I love this horse and am so happy my boyfriend, who trains out of HorseAcademy in Mooslargue, France, gave me the opportunity to show him,” she shared. “I started riding western horses five years ago and thanks to Fabien I fell in love with reining and with Jac Whiz. www.internationalhorsepress.com

He always takes care of me and even though I have another job and only ride on weekends, he makes me look good!”

Angelika Dobesova of Slovakia took reserve aboard LV Barny Remedys (Remedys Moonshine x Majors Queen Mary) owned by Daša Zahradníková. She also reined DB Spooknit Whiz (Kalispook x Whiz Skine On Skine) for owner and breeder Zuzana Dobesova, to third.

last night, did a few maneuvers, had fun, and it worked. This horse is really very special and I am so proud of him.”

With a 222 score, Schumacher also tied for the Reserve Championship riding CS Wallawallaboom (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Cheeky Boom), a gelding owned and bred by CS Ranch Management SA, with Nina Zinsli of Switzerland riding TR Reinman (NRHA Million $15,000-Added NRHA EAC Non Pro Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x KR Ima Gunner), a Topping 32 qualified riders Gina Maria Schumacher gelding owned by Christian-Peter Zinsli. of Germany riding All Right Magnum (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x All The Right Motion), a gelding owned and bred by CS Ranch Management SA, after holding the lead with her second horse, beat herself closing with a 223. “I was pretending that I would not post the high score when I went in and I wasn’t WATCH THE RUN really motivated. He’s 8 years old, kinda spooky, and didn’t even have sliders on last week! However, my goal now is to reach the million, and I knew he could do well.

My brother [Mick] rode him

Sabine Schmid & Big Code

Gina Maria Schumacher & All Right Magnum

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$4,000-Added NRHA EAC Intermediate Non Pro Swiss Sabine Schmid rode her own Big Code (Electric Code x Roosterina) to a 220.5 and the win. “I purchased this horse in September last year and I had my eyes on him for a long time because I really loved him and am so emotional right now. After our ride together today, the only thing I could do was cry. I only showed him twice before and we love each other so much. He is amazing to show.”

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NRHA European Affiliate Championship

George Sternberg Allen of Great Britain riding Slide Like Jac (Jacs Little Sunrise x Slidin Like A Yankee) owned and bred by Francesca Sternberg and A Shining Gun (Shine My Gun x Lady Buena Freckles), also owned by Francesca Sternberg, took second with a 217 and third with a 215.5 in both the Intermediate and Limited Non Pro respectively.

Hayley Verlinden & Lena Smoking Chex

$1,500-Added NRHA EAC Limited Non Pro Champion with a 219 was 19-year-old Sara Karasova of the Czech Republic aboard her own KH Yankee Step, a gelding by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Rowdy Yankee out of Step A Little Closer. “This is my first EAC title with my great horse who had some time off after the European Derby last year where we won Level 3, 2, and 1. My sister showed him at the Italian Derby since I was graduating from high school and I took back the reins for the German Derby and then the Czech Maturity where we won, and now this!” said $100-Added NRHA EAC Youth 13 & Under Karasova who was quick to credit her trainer Belgian Hayley Verlinden and her 10-year-old Jonáš Bujnoch for her results and her family for gelding, Lena Smoking Chex (Hot Smoking Chex x ARC Pleasealena), rode to her first EA the great support.

Championship. “He’s a super horse, sometimes hard to show, but this time he gave me everything and I’m so happy with him even though I didn’t expect it at all. I so enjoyed this show, loved the Youth Team Tournament and all the people around me. I especially want to thank the Foncks and my all Belgian Team.”

Victoire Molla Guisset of France and Jacbsailnthrulites (Hit The Lights x Jolly Be Nimble), a gelding owned by Laetitia Guisset, took reserve and French Matt Legrand rode Gb Little Kid (Nicmeridalittlestep x Ima Torrid Lady), a stallion owned by Anniek Legrand, to third.

Sara Karasova & KH Yankee Step

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$100-Added NRHA EAC Youth 14-18 Swiss Sophia Staub rode Gunslinger Lil Step

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Sophia Staub & Gunslinger Lil Step

(NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x Playguns Rose) to the highest step of the podium. “My horse’s nickname is Bob, he’s 12, and I have been riding him for three years now,” she said about the gelding owned by her mother, Sabine Schmid. “This show was a very good one for us, my horse was very nice and was always there for me. He means the world to me; he is my life and feels all my emotions. I usually ride Bob myself at home with my mother and my two sisters who also compete.”

working with the goal of winning the Championship since the beginning of the year.

This win encloses a lot of emotions since this horse was born at our place and we have both the dam and sire at home. My father [Gregory Legrand] showed the dam at the very first European Championship, and I would like to thank him for preparing my horse for this competition and I thank my number one supporter, my mother!”

Belgium’s Siebe Van Bekhoven rode his own APHA gelding WS Check My Pedigree (Wimpys Smoking Gun x Footworks Finetiming) to second place. “I'm very happy with all the Belgian team who was here to support me all week, especially my trainers Ann and Bernard Fonck. My horse was as always really sweet; he gave me all like he does every time. We had a lot of fun, and I wish I could ride and show like we did today all the time.”

Barbora Julinova of the Czech Republic rode LV Pistol Great Pine (Custom Rooster x Majors Queen Mary), a gelding owned by Petr Monika Julina, to third place.

Thea Karasova of the Czech Republic rode her own Playin for Big Guns (Tinseltownsmokinggun x Playin For Big Chex) to second place in front of Belgian Jody Fonck riding Chic Chic Hoorah (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Chuka Chic) owned by J&J Comm V.

$200-Added Rookie EAC With 25 qualified riders from seven countries, 14year-old Matt Legrand of France won with Gb Little Kid (Nicmeridalittlestep x Ima Torrid Lady), a stallion owned and bred by Anniek Legrand. “I am super happy with this prestigious title. I was a little stressed before the class since this is my last Rookie, but was very determined as I have been

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Matt Legrand & Gb Little Kid

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NRHA European Affiliate Championship

Highlights $12,000-Added NRHA Open Grischa Ludwig and Alexandra Schmitz’s stallion, Gunnit In Hollywood (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Buffy In Hollywood), laid down an amazing ride worth a 229. “This is a great horse, trained by Italian Pierluigi Fabbri who did a great job on him. It's our third show together and the first time he was exactly where I needed him. He showed how classy and athletic he is, and I am thrilled. I love CS Ranch, there’s so much history here, and the public is always amazing.”

Piloting Anneliese & Hermann Meinert’s Colonels Whize Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Alicias Conquistador to second place honors with a 228.5 was Ann Fonck.

$8,000-Added NRHA Non Pro Gina Maria Schumacher, now based in the family CS Ranch in Gordonville, Texas, came back to Givrins for the EAC and scored a 223.5 to win the Non Pro ancillary class with CS Ranch Management SA's CS Wallawallaboom (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Cheeky Boom). She also placed third and fourth with Alittlewhitetrash and Gunna Black Out respectively.

“It feels great to be back home. This horse has always made everyone who’s shown him happy; he came back from the U.S. last week after the Derby and will stay here as he’s actually my mom’s horse. I’m very happy with the other two horses I showed, it’s been a great night.” Swiss Adrienne Speidel performed to a 221.5 with her own Wimpysshortstride BB (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x Short Rooster) to take second place honors.

NRHA EAC Youth Team Tournament Seven teams, comprised of two 13 & under and two 14-18 youth in each team on Saturday rode for the NRHA EAC Youth Team Tournament medals. With seven countries represented, the top three scores counted for the composite of each team. Taking the win, along with the medals and buckles offered by NRHA, was the Purple Team made up of Czech’s Nicolas Pavel and SK Cash To Gun Arc (207.5); Germany’s Lisa Wiechers riding Shesgunnasparkya (202); Lou Covarel of France with Big Chex Olena (208.5); and Switzerland’s Emelie Zopf with Smart Littlesplinter (202). All teams left Givrins with medals around their necks and friendships sealed.

2022 World Para Reining European Championship Frigg Birt Müller and her own Belles Flair made their way from Denmark—a 20-hour haul with a stop in Germany—to show in the World Para Reining European Championship. Thrilling the crowd, the Grade 1 talented rider closed her precise and clean performance with an amazing 220.5 score and an enthused public. “This is the highest score I have ever received and I am thrilled with my horse who I’ve had for three months and who was with me all the way,” said Müller who turned to para reining after competing in para dressage. “I loved the crowd who was there to cheer me and it is actually the very first time that we did not ask the public to be silent until the end of the run and that’s a thrill.”

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#Moments

Photos by Ctanierephotographie

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NRHA European Derby

By Simona Diale - Photos by Wanted Photo

2022 NRHA European Derby

October 26-30, 2022 | Equita Lyon - France

Fonck and Grisha Tie For the Open Championship; Young Sára Karasová of Czech Takes the Non Pro Title

T

he highly successful 2022 edition of the NRHA European Derby was held during the renowned European horse fair Equita Lyon in Lyon, France. This year’s European Derby, open to 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA Nomination Program counted a rise in the number of entries with riders representing Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Competition ran deep in the Open Finals with two horse-and-rider combinations tying for the Level (L)4 Championship with a 228: NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck and Shines Like Spook (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Shines), a 6-year-old gelding owned and

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The Numbers The $153,235 European Derby Open counted: 58 entries in the $61,294-Added L4 71 entries in the $45,970.53-Added L3 70 entries in the $30,647.02-Added L2 39 entries in the $15,323.51-Added L1

NRHA European Derby

Bernard Fonck & Shines Like Spook

Grischa Ludwig & M Snow Pearl

nominated by Rosanne WATCH THE RUN told me to trust him, ‘if Sternberg, and Grischa you speed him up he’s Ludwig and M Snow going to be there for you; Pearl (NRHA Million put your hand down and Dollar Sire SG Frozen just go.’ I did exactly that Enterprize x Spooks and it worked out.”

Pearl), a 5-year-old mare owned by Fabian Strebel Ludwig was just as and nominated by La happy with his two Maqueline. It took a 219.5 or more to be in the mounts. “It was one hell of an evening,” he top 20 final rankings. commented. “I felt it was my arena. I knew that I could completely trust my horses and since the “I think my wife [NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann level of competition was so high, I could not Fonck], who has always ridden this horse, did a afford to think about any strategy. I put the super job with him,” said Fonck. “We actually hammer down and went. I wanted to finish my switched horses for this event, I showed him and runs with a high score, I knew I had the horses— she showed GP A Spook In Town as I thought he even though they are completely different—and would work better with her after my competing they were both good in the qualifier. To top it all with him for four years. I did a few schooling off, here in France the people are with me. 2022 rides with Shines Like Spook and today was the has been a great year!” first time I rode him asking for more and he was really good. When I went in the arena tonight we Ludwig also went on to clinch the $45,970were both really relaxed. Before going in, my wife Added L3 Open Championship aboard the WATCH THE RUN

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talented mare and also took the Reserve Championship with a 227 riding Gunnit In Hollywood (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Buffy In Hollywood), a 6-year-old stallion owned by Alexandra Schmitz and nominated by Giulio Trevisan.

$30,647-Added Level 2

was with me the whole time, but here, he definitely did. Today is also special for both of us because this win pushed him over $30.000 in NRHA LTE and me over $100.000, so I am truly happy. He is a really sweet horse.”

Reserve honors with a 221.5 went to Italian Stefano Cerutti and FB Topsail Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Topsail Del Cielo), a 6-yearold mare, owned by Claudia Rizzola and nominated

by Francesco Bonadeo.

$15,323-Added Level 1 It was a big night for Italy’s Filippo Paris riding Maria Cecilia Fiorucci’s talented Americasnextcovrgirl (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Americasnextgunmodel), a 5-year-old royally bred mare, bred and nominated WATCH THE RUN

Quentin Galliere & Tinsel Whizington

Quentin Galliere of France and Tinsel Whizington (Tinsel Jac x Conquistador Sis), a 6-year-old stallion owned and nominated by Sharon De Groot, topped the division in the Finals, after leading the qualifier, with a 223. “I feel amazing, my horse did all he could do today. We started him and trained him all the way and last year his owner showed him and won over $20.000 in the non pro classes. This year she asked me if I wanted to show him and of course, I said yes.

At the beginning of the season he didn’t feel like he

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WATCH THE RUN

Filippo Paris & Americasnextcovrgirl

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NRHA European Derby

by Arcese Quarter Horses USA. The pair scored a 218.5 which brought them the L1 Open Championship. Showing at a major NRHA event for the first time, Paris was quick to credit his horse for the results, as well as owner Fiorucci and the whole Elementa team. “This mare is fantastic. She deserves to be in the L4 Finals and win that level, but this is my first big show, so I am really happy with the results. She helped me in there a lot, so my biggest thanks definitely go to her. I am very thankful to Maria Cecilia, who trusts me with her horses even though I don’t have very much experience showing.

This mare is really special to me; she is like a princess.

Sometimes I stay in her stall and talk to her and I know she understands me. She can definitely pull the best out of you. I’ve only been riding her for about a month and a half and I love her, so I hope to be showing her again next year. ” With Fiorucci’s 6-year-old stallion Mister Grey Wolf (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x NRHA Million Dollar Sire Dun It For Chex), bred and nominated by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, the Italian Professional also took reserve honors.

European Derby Novice Horse and APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Program This year the inaugural and very well-accepted $3,000-Added LL Tecnologie Novice Horse Open Derby and $3,000-Added Gunna Sparkle Novice Horse Non Pro Derby divisions for horses that have less than NRHA $5,000 LTE (Lifetime Earnings) were introduced and for the second year running, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Incentive Program offered $1,500-Added to both the Open and Non Pro L4 Champions.

Canadian Professional based in Switzerland Morey Fisk and Jayson Henri’s owned and nominated by Gunny Trashy Tucker, a 6-year-old mare by NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Tuckers Starlight, scored a 220 to win the division. “I was really happy with the mare, she did everything I asked her to and I especially liked how she stopped as she’s a big stopper. There is no particular plan for her for next year, I think we are going to breed her and then decide if she should show more,” said the Fisk about his horse. “To have the Novice Horse classes here at the Derby is great because it gives the

WATCH THE RUN

Morey Fisk & Gunny Trashy Tucker

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Arnaud Girinon & Showgirl Shining Gun

WATCH THE RUN

horses another shot to do something at this major event. It was a tough qualifier this year, so this is definitely a nice bonus.” A point behind, Fisk also took reserve honors on Addys Lil Step (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x Miss Lil Adytude) owned by Annika Bootsman-Kleberg.

It was an emotional night for Showgirl Shining Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Shes A Lil Showgirl) shown

by French Professional Arnaud Girinon. The flashy double-registered AQHA/APHA 7-year-old mare owned by Grey Stone Ranch closed her career in

The Numbers The $153,235 European Derby Open counted: 58 entries in the $61,294-Added L4 71 entries in the $45,970.53-Added L3 70 entries in the $30,647.02-Added L2 39 entries in the $15,323.51-Added L1

front of a full house with top honors and a 225 score which earned her the $1,500-Added APHA Chrome Cash European Derby L4 Open Championship as well as her retirement after a successful show career.

MARKEL/NRHA SALE GRADS OPEN DERBY FINALISTS • Dances With Spook (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Shining Dancer), owned by Margot Van Doorne and nominated by Rosanne Sternberg, ridden by Levin Ludwig.

• Dun Lost My Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Dun Lost My Freckles), owned by Julia Schuberl, ridden by Morey Fisk.

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• Angel On Fire (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six x Lena Dun It), owned by Luga LLC and nominated by Stacey Huska, ridden by Mirko Midili.

• Spooks Gotta Deal (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun x The Rio Deal), owned by Lisa Schlatter, ridden by Markus Gebert.

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NRHA European Derby

$84,187-Added NRHA European Non Pro Derby: Youth Riders Steal the Show In Lyon In front of a full house, 47 horse-and-rider combinations vied for the Derby Non Pro Championships. Ten youth riders made the Non Pro Finals: Three representing the Czech Republic, two representing Switzerland, two Italy, two Germany, and one Poland.

WATCH THE RUN

The Numbers The $84,187-Added Non Pro Derby counted:

Sára Karasová & KH Yankee Step

50 entries in the $35,039-Added L4 60 entries in the $24,574-Added L3 72 entries in the $16,383-Added L2 49 entries in the $8,191-Added L1 16 entries in the Youth

N

o stranger to the Equita Lyon, Sára Karasová of the Czech Republic returned this year after winning the L3, 2, 1 titles last year. With a thrilling performance aboard her 8-year-old gelding nominated by Franz Lechner, KH Yankee Step (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Rowdy Yankee x Step A Little Closer) awarded a 223.5 score, she took the Non Pro $35,039-added L4, $24,574-added L3 (repeating her 2021 win), and Churros Youth Championships.

220 or so, but not this. When they announced the score, it was in French, so I didn’t understand, and then they announced it in English and I couldn’t believe it. He is a seasoned horse, he will be 8 next year, so it will be his last derby year, but today I knew after the first set of circles that he would be good. He truly shows from his heart and after today I feel like nothing can stop us,” said the 19-year-old rider who showed for the last time in the Youth division at this show and closed her youth career with a run to be “I am so incredibly happy; I didn’t expect this at all,” remembered. said the excited Champion who praised her horse for being with her the whole run. “My horse has been Swiss Adrienne Speidel aboard her own 7-year-old awesome the whole week, but during the run today stallion nominated by Fabian Strebel, CDC Cromed he couldn’t have been any better. I was hoping for a Resolve (Custom Del Cielo x Kaysolve), tied to win WATCH THE RUN

Emanuel Gebert & Gunnalittlestep

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NRHA European Derby

the first go-round and closed with reserve honors in both the L4 and L3 with a 221.5. “He is really a show horse and did his best today. He was better than in the qualifier and did everything I asked him. Maybe I should have been more proactive, but I am so happy with the way he went,” she said about her horse who she has had for the past two years.

Jays Little Step), nominated by Ambrosini QH, to a score of 219. “I am really happy to have won here,” said the 9-year-old who in 2021 also made history by being the youngest rider to qualify for the European Non Pro Derby Finals. “I have been riding my horse for the past two years and I have to thank him because he is really good and I love him. I also thank my mom and my dad for this result.”

Emanuel Gebert made history as being the youngest rider to ever win the $16,383-Added L2 and $8,191Added L1 Non Pro European Derby as well as the Reserve Championship in the Churros Youth Derby.

He rode his own 7-year-old gelding Gunnalittlestep (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Gay

Swiss Nanina Staub and Whizkeywood, a 5-year-old stallion by Whizkey N Diamonds out of Hollywood Footprints, owned by Sabine Schmid and nominated

by Humphrey Quarter Horses, closed their run with a 218 to claim the L2 and L1 Reserve Championships.

Tying to lead the Gunna Sparkle European Derby Novice Horse Non Pro with a 211 score was Belgian Ingrid Vermeiren riding Whiz N Polly (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz x Shine On Ruff), a 5-year-old mare owned and nominated by Codan NV, and Finja Florian of Germany with Bang Bang Pistol (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Pistol Silhouette), a 6-year-old gelding owned by Vera Katja Florian and nominated by Sylvia Maile.

The APHA $1,500-Added NRHA European Derby L4 Non Pro Chrome Cash Incentive win was for George Sternberg Allen of Great Britain who closed his run with a 215 riding Francesca Sternberg’s A Shining Gun (Shine My Gun x Lady Buena Freckles), AKA ‘Goofy.’ Sternberg purchased the 8year-old stallion three years ago from [NRHA Professional] Grischa Ludwig. “At that time I went to ride with Grischa. He bred and raised Goofy and after getting on him the first time I realized he was my horse,” said George. “I called my mom, told her, and soon enough the horse was mine. I have always made the L4 finals on him and am thrilled to be here with this result today as my family and myself really love the APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Program.”

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xxx

Ancillary Action $11,369-Added ELEMENTA Open Grand Prix Once again the level of competition was high with Italian Nico Sicuro scoring a powerful run worth a 227.5 and the Open Gran Prix win riding Quarter Dream’s Sugar Little Step (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimps Little Step x Ah Sugar Sugar).

Second place honors, with a 224.5 were for NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck and Nathalie Derua’s ND Pop Gun Trash (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Pop Tart).

Anders Josefsson of Sweden closed his run aboard Annika BootsmanKleberg’s Gotta Shiney Whiz (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Cee Bee Shine) with a 221.5, enough to win both the Lambey Intermediate Open and the Deniro Boots Limited Open and Prime Time Open.

Quarter Dream NRHA Intermediate Non Pro & Prime Time Non Pro French Laura Pouzol and Tricky Vobinda Whiz (CJ Whiz x RS Cayenne Jac) claimed the Quarter Dream Intermediate Non Pro with a score of 215.5.

Half a point behind was the Reserve Intermediate Non Pro Champion Ettore Baldazzi of Italy aboard PL Magnum Chic Chex (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x Nu Dynamite Chex), who also claimed the Prime Time Non Pro Championship.

Quarter Dream NRHA Youth In the Quarter Dream Youth 13&Under class, French Chjara Maria Gaffory and Zag Candy Step (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x RS Candy O Lena) walked away with the Championship for their 206.5 run.

Alice Baldazzi of Italy rode Holly Jolly Whiz (Whiz Ruf Peppy x Smart Dolly Hickory) to a score of 212.5 to win the Quarter Dream Youth 14-18.

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NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup

NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup 2022

August 24, 2022 | Avaré - Brazil

Cordeiro Martins Conquers The NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup Held in Brazil The beautiful Parque de Exposições Dr. Fernando Cruz Pimentel horse show facility set in Avaré, Brazil, was host to the ANCR Potro Do Futuro De Rédeas 2022 which included the Futurity, the National Championship Finals, the Copa Internucleos, the Brazilian International Reining Cup, and the inaugural NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup.

Gabriel Cordeiro Martins with Joao Marcos

Photos by Foto Perigo - Candids by International Horse Press

By Simona Diale

B

razil is not what you see, it’s what you feel they say.

True to the saying, the sound and feel of Brazil made the inaugural NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup in Avaré, a competition that will remain in the hearts and memories of many.

Riders representing 11 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA) each drew their horse from a pool generously made available by the owners.

They all gave their best in front of a full house and a loud audience.

Rebecca Folcia & Summertime Tag

With a 212.5 to beat, scored by Italy’s Rebecca Folcia early in the draw and with one horse left to go, Cordeiro Martins was determined to claim the title on home turf.

Laying down a strong performance with Evando de Oliveira’s Doc San Whiz, he topped the leaderboard and the Cup was his!

“As everyone else, my horse and I only had a couple of days to get to know each other. Though he’s not a very easy horse, in the short time had together we managed to build trust and confidence in each other,” he said. “In any case I really wanted to win for my country and am super happy.” The young rider, who took US$3,000.00 for the win, has been showing and

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training his own reining horses for the past eight years; “All the trainers here in Brazil are always willing to help and give me advice, since I do everything myself. My dream? To one day meet Shawn Flarida and ride with him!”

best for us. Being able to share these moments with riders from all over the world is memorable; we all got to know each other and share our passion and how we live it. I would like to thank everyone that made this happen, in particular Joao Marcos and Chico Rebecca Folcia of Italy made her Moura, and look forward to way to South America with her trainer Angelo Benedusi and both were thrilled with the experience.

“Everyone was so kind and always available with both me and my trainer making this an amazing experience,” said Folcia who rode Francisco Moura’s Summertine Tag and took home US$2,000.00 for Reserve honors. “My horse was From left to right, Rebecca Folcia, really good and performed to the Joao Marcos and Angelo Benedusi

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NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup

hopefully repeating this great to Joao Marcos. “We are so experience again.” thrilled that Joao Marcos has created this event for our youth to Third place honors, along with a showcase their talent on a global US$1,000.00 paycheck, were for scale.

Switzerland’s Nanina Staub who Not only are these the top youth made her way over with Italian riders, multiple are involved on Professional Andrea Costa. “This NRHyA Youth Councils helping was a very intense adventure and to grow the sport in their regions.”

I got a really cool horse to show,” shared Staub who rode Elmer Off Sparks owned by Ana Cristina Chiattone Pinfildi. “He was so much fun to ride, even though we had a little bubble in the lead change. I am very thankful to Joao Marcos to have given us this opportunity and I enjoyed every moment here. It’s far away from home, everything is different, but everyone is so kind and helpful. I would repeat all this in a heartbeat!”

NRHA Commissioner Gary Nanina Staub & Elmer Off Sparks Carpenter expressed his gratitude

T

hanks to the vision of Cardinal Reining Horses’ Joao Marcos, to the passion of ANCR President Francisco Moura, and to the generosity of the owners loaning their horses, the international riders representing write history.

“There was a lot of work behind this event and I have to thank the super team that put it together,” said NRHA, RHF and ANCR Board member Joao Marcos. “Once again it was wonderful. My goal, since I first came into this world over ten years ago, was to promote the youth worldwide and my motto has always been globalization. We should all carry on in this direction and this first World Cup has been another step forward in that direction. Italy will be host to this event next year and we look forward to having close to 30 countries represented. A huge thank you to NRHA, ANCR, the riders, the owners that loaned their horses and to all that made it happen.”

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From left to right: Joao Marcos, Sara Honegger, Samantha Oldfield, Simona Diale, Cordeiro Martins, Evando de Oliveira, Chico Moura

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NRHA/RHF/ANCR World Youth Reining Cup

The young riders vying for the podium were treated to a great Brazilian Churrasco BBQ generously offered by Jefferson Abbud and family’s Harras Sacramento, the beautiful breeding and training facility located in the rolling hills of Avaré.

#FinalRanking

Rider, Horse, Owner

1. Gabriel Cordeiro Martins (BRA), Doc San Whiz, Evandro de Oliveira 2. Rebecca Folcia (ITA), Summertime Tag, Francisco Moura 3. Nanina Staub (SUI), Elmer Off Sparks, Ana Cristina Chiattone Pinfildi 4. Giovanna Rocha Pucchi (ARG), Evident Ace Whiz, Candido’s Ranch 5. Anna Harris (USA), Don’t Whiz, Paulo Koury Neto 6. Jhi Whatts (AUS), Spintricks BEM, Francisco Moura 7. Vladimir Cejka (CZE), Lindsay Question, Marcos Antonio da Silva Junior 8. Luna Faverais (CHL), Ayasha Badger, Candido’s Ranch 9. Guillermo Armendariz Jr. (MEX), Leotie Big Gunner, Candido’s Ranch 10. Guillermo Gellmini (URY), Brisa Whiz, Marcos Junior Martins 11. Aliera Chernoff (CAN), Question Of Dixie, José Antonio Cardinalli

Vladimir Cejka represented the Czech Republic in the World Youth Reining Cup. He showed in the Brazilian International Reining Cup Amateur claiming Reserve honors.

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Harras Sacramento owners Jefferson and Adriana Abbud

The 2023 NRHA/RHF/IRHA Youth World Reining Cup will be held in Cremona, Italy, during the NRHA European Futurity on May 23-27.

“The Reining Horse Foundation proudly supports youth leadership development through the National Reining Horse Youth Association.

The World Youth Reining Cup is a unique event that promotes global connection and awareness for our reining community. We are excited for everyone who is involved,” said Leslie Baker, RHF Executive Director, about the event.

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#Spotlight

Photo Tom Hautmann

Congratulations to The 2022 NRHA World Champions

Open Horse: ND Pop Gun Trash (Gunnatrashya x Pop Tart) Rider: Bernard Fonck Owner: Nathalie Derua 2022 Earnings: $17,068 Location: Lierneux, Belgium

Photo Wanted Photo

Non Pro 80 •

Rider: Stephanie Blessing Horse: Dance Gotta Gun (Spooks Gotta Gun x Dance Little Spook) 2022 Earnings: $10,494 Location: Niederwil SG, Switzerland www.internationalhorsepress.com

2021 Spotlight

AMERICANA 2021 Closes With a Bang!

When the AMERICANA 2021 opened its doors, it was not only the beginning of a long-awaited and much-loved Western event, but also the first trade show ever in Augsburg after a 16 month pause due to the pandemic. 500 horses and riders from 14 nations, 250 exhibitors, and over 38,800 visitors once again turned the event to a hugely successful one.

September 5-12, 2021 | Augsburg - Germany

Nico Sicuro & Colonels Dancing Gun

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW •

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Photos by 8Photo Agency

By Simona Diale

A

n impressive number of classes were offered including the $48,600Added NRHA Bronze Trophy Open and the $12,150-Added NRHA Bronze Trophy Non Pro. Throwback to the reining highlights of the 2021 edition.

NRHA Bronze Trophy Open: Nico Sicuro and Colonels Dancing Gun Conquer in Augsburg The NRHA Bronze Trophy Open Final was certainly one of the most exciting ever at the AMERICANA. In order to qualify for the finals, the 18 riders had to have a score of 217 or above. The talented group of qualified horses and riders had all it took to win, but leaving the best for last was Italian Nico Sicuro riding Colonels Dancing Gun (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner x Dance

Little Spook), a doubleregistered stallion owned by Quarter Dream, who he won the qualifier with.

The duo conquered the crowd and the judges with their incredible performance paid back with a 225.5. “I’ve had him since last year and he gets better and better every time I show him,” he said. “Everything went the way it had to in the qualifier and in the finals, it went even better. I am really proud of him and cannot thank owners Helena and Pietro Marseglia enough for their trust!”

The Reserve Championship, with a 224 score, was NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck aboard Maria Cecilia Fiorucci’s

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Cira Baeck & Phantom Face

Phantom Face (NRHA Three Milion Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Gorgeous Like A Star).

Tying for third place with a 223, were NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck and Rosanne Sternberg’ s Shines Like Spook (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Ebony Shines) and her husband NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard with Spook Sunburst (Great Sunburst x All About Spook) owned by 7 Heaven Reining Horses.

Winning the $8,500-Added NRHA Intermediate Open Trophy was Austrian Markus Gebert riding Cash N No Chex sired by

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2021 Spotlight

Markus Gebert & Cash N No Chex

NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash out of Spark N Pretty, owned by Schlager Nestelberger Partnership.

Winning the $500-Added NRHA Limited

Open Bronze Trophy was Steve Ouellet riding Steadynest Dude (Steadys Dude x Finest Chicolena) owned by Christian Koehl.

Steve Ouellet & Steadynest Dude

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW •

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NRHA Bronze Trophy Non Pro

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wiss rider Adrienne Speidel and her 9-year-old mare ARC Walla Smart (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Please Pass The Chic) took the lead in the Non Pro qualifier and then went on to win the Bronze Trophy, with 12 combinations qualified, as well as the NRHA Intermediate Non Pro. “She is a special horse for me; sometimes she can be a little bit ‘mare’ but today she was really really good so I’m super happy. It’s great to show here, especially with the audience we haven't had for so long now. It feels really good, it pushes you a lot!”

The Swiss rider also placed second with her own Elta Soldier Whiz and a 215.5 score. Third place was shared with a 213 by Dries Verschueren with Smart N Sparkin and Nikolai Stiller with Hollywood Gunrunner.

Adrienne Speidel & ARC Walla Smart

Johanna Raab and Super Little Taylor (Super little Chic x Taylors Bucky) won the $500-Added NRHA Limited Non Pro, in a field of 23, with a 215 score.

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2021 Spotlight

AMERICANA 2021: Reined Cow Horse is Big! A week full of ERCHA/NRCHA competition in Augsburg brought the house down! Futurity, Derby, Nations Cup and Bridle Spectacular showcased the sport in front of a full house in the renowned German arena.

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osting a huge 227 in the Final Fence Work, with a composite score of 879.5, Giovanni Campanaro and Dual Aristocrat MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual), owned by Antonio Marmo, won the 2021 €17.000-added ERCHA/NRCHA Open Futurity as well as the €7.000-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Open Derby titles: “I’ve had this horse in training since he was two and has

Giovanni Campanaro & Dual Aristocrat MR

always been so easy to work with and handle.

He did a great job during the whole AMERICANA week showing off how bighearted and athletic he is!”

The Italian Professional also took reserve honors in both the Open Futurity and Derby with Shesagenuinelypepto (Oaks Lone Pepto x Genuinely Pepto), owned by Loris Paone, between the reins closing with an 864.5.

Photos by 8 Photo Agency

By Chiara Milani

Pietro Tuberga and Katrina Hope Olena (Oaks Lone Pepto x Haida Oleana), owned by Domenico Sapino, won the 2021 €1.000Added ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Open Futurity Championship.

With an 839 composite, Limited Open Futurity Reserve Champions were Andrea Sanfelici and One Time Snapper (Oaks Lone Pepto x Genuinely Snapper).

Davide Di Giacinto took the €1.000-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Open Derby title with Giovanni Sacchetti’s CD Salvatus Olena topping the ranking with a final composite of 838.5.

With an 837 composite score after the Final Fence Work worth 219.5, reserve honors went to Federico Fanti riding WR Smart N Slinky (WR This Cats Smart x Chupikas Real Jewel) for owner Federico Mainolfi.

After scoring a 217 in the final

Pietro Tuberga & Katrina Hope Olena

Fence Work, with an 840.5 total composite, Gabriele Poli Barberis riding First Cats Got Luck, owned by Samuele Poli Barberis, clinched the €3.000Added ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro Futurity as well as the €500-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Amateur Futurity Championships.

Davide Di Giacinto & CD Salvatus Olena

The consistent duo also led the go round and came back to the finals with a 623.5 composite score.

Reserve honors in both divisions with a 834.5 composite went to Václav Vacík riding his own Nu Cash For Funn (Big League Chex x Ma Eos Of Thunder).

Gabriele Poli Barberis & First Cats Got Luck

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The €1.000-Added ERCHA Non-Pro Limited Futurity Championship was for Nicola Succu riding Alessia Campi’s

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2021 Spotlight

A Nite With Marylin (Gunners Special Nite x LDL Marilyn Chex).

With an 806 composite, Giulia Costelli placed second with her own Brownie Lady (Smart Rey Pepto x DB Cats Sweet Lady) under the saddle.

Coming to the finals as the go round leader, Alessandro Tugnoli topped the €1.500-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro

Derby Finals aboard his own Smarttarisdeal (Smart Easy Deal x Ot Taris Peppy) with an 840 total score as well as the Reserve Championship with his second mount, The One Dark Deal (Smart Easy Deal x Miss Mify Olena), with an 827.5 total composite.

The €500-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Amateur Derby was all about Claudio Ferrami from Italy, who won the title with an 819 composite score aboard his own SA Ret Hickory N San (Ret Great N San x Hickory Sanote).

Swiss Shirley Schalcher rode her own SS Smart Cash N Cerry (Big And Sweet BB x Miss Flipstick) to an 805 closing in second place.

Nicola Succu & A Nite With Marylin

Martin Mareš & Silver Badger Poo Alessandro Tugnoli & Smarttarisdeal

Claudio Ferrami & SA Ret Hickory N San

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW •

The €1.000-Added ERCHA Derby NonPro Limited Championship with a 789 composite score was for Czech rider Martin Mareš aboard his own Silver Badger Poo (Smartest Magician x CD Peppy).

Reserve honors were for Uwe Pfeiffer who rode Millenium Boompepp (Mifillenium x Ot Boompepp) to a 786.5 composite score.

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A Spectacular Close for Giovanni Campanaro in the AMERICANA €2.000-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Open Bridle Spectacular In a field of 22, the talented Italian Professional posted a 655.5 composite score riding Hot As Wasabi, owned by Sarah Destefanis (rein work 214.5; herd work 216; fence work 225) and aboard Bet Command Rey, owned by Green Mountain Quarter Horses (rein work 211.5; herd work 223; fence work 221). Following the rules, the win went to Hot As Wasabi!

German Martin Schemuth riding his own Mr. Chesmu Peppy Boon won the €500-Added ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Open Bridle Spectacular with a 628.5 composite, while Shirley Schalcher and her own DG Little Rey Merada took reserve honors.

Giovanni Campanaro & Hot As Wasabi

AMERICANA ERCHA NATIONS CUP: Team Italy Takes the Winner’s Cup!

With a total score 1921 , making it happen were: - Ricky Bordignon riding Smart E Cat, owned by Yvonne Bonda (score 607) - Gabriele Poli Barberis riding Highbrow Fletch, owned by Samuele Poli Barberis(score 632) - Samuele Poli Barberis riding Cats Got Freckles, owned by Luca Terzi (score 635) - Markus Schöpfer riding Oh Cay Mc, owned by Yvonne Bonda (score 651) Riding to the second step of the podium was Team Germany (total score 1846,5), followed by Team Switzerland (total score 1824,5) Markus Schopfer and Oh Cay Mc (Metallic Cat x Oh Cay Mariah), owned by Yvonne Bonda, soared to the 2021 AMERICANA ERCHA €2.000-Added Nations Cup Individual Championship with a 651 composite score. Reserve Champions were Italian Samuele Poli Barberis with Luca Terzi’s Cats Got Freckles and a 635 composite score.

Marine Richard Takes the Down The Fence with RopinK, in collaboration with International Horse Press, Championship From the beginning of the year, lady riders had a chance to run for the Down The Fence with RopinK in collaboration with International Horse Press by competing in the fence work classes offered during the ERCHA/NRCHA shows. The circuit closed at AMERICANA with Marine Richard pocketing the Championship and the Rowdy Silver Custom Trophy Buckle with 66 point!

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2021 Spotlight

Pietro Valeri & Cat Rey Lou

Bonda Ranch/NCHA European Championships €12.000-Added Bonda Ranch/NCHA European Open Championship Pietro Valeri aboard Cat Rey Lou scored a big 150 to win the Championship.

“It was my first title here at AMERICANA, I have been waiting for this day for a long time!

Cat Rey Lou (High Brow Cat x Farra Rey) is a once in a lifetime horse, a special one, but nothing could have happened without the support of Marco [Salvatori], of the whole Rosy o' Grady's cutting horse team and of my partner Martina [professional Annovazzi].”

Reserve honors with a 144 score went to Federico Fanti riding Hansruedi Baumann’s Highbrowcd is Playin.

The NCHA European Championship Limited

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW •

Open ended with a tie for first place between Anton Kondela aboard Dresd N Crome, Katerina Spacilova aboard Dual Rey TR and Rosana Bembom aboard Smoking Spook, who scored a 139 each. The three decided against a run off and shared the title and purse.

Katerina Spacilova & Dual Rey TR, Anton Kondela & Dresd N Crome, Rosana Bembom & Smoking Spook

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Gaia Salvatori & Metallic Savanah

€7.000-Added Elit Star/NCHA European Non Pro Championship Clinching the title was Gaia Salvatori riding Marco Salvatori’s Metallic Savanah, an 11-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding sired by National Cutting Horse Association NCHA leading sire Metallic Cat out of Savanah Holli.

The duo, in a very tough set of cows, managed to handle the run and scored a 147.

“It’s my first final here at AMERICANA,” said a very excited Gaia. “It was a difficult herd to work, but thanks to ‘Topino’ [Metallic Savanah] everything went smooth! I really want to thanks my trainers Pietro [Valeri] and Martina [Annovazzi], my parents and all Rosy O' Grady's cutting horse team!”

Reserve honors with a 141 score, went to Swiss Yvonne Heinzer aboard her own Snappy Hunter.

With a 143.5 score, the Limited Non Pro Championship was won by Daniel Henriksson riding Almond Rey. For Henriksson, who actively showed in cow horse events, this is his first cutting show: It was a debut for him in the pen and the first time for the 5year-old stallion Almond Rey (Smart Rey Pepto x Uno Scootin Dera) with the Swedish rider in the saddle.

Half a point behind, Matteo Chinaglia and Marco Salvatori’s Vino Cappuccino as well as Andrea Favaretto aboard Lenas Startaz tied for the second highest score.

Daniel Henriksson & Almond Rey

#Bridleless With a 154 score, Denis Pini and Stop Ur Hot owned by Michal Popov, won the 2021 AMERICANA Bridleless Cutting Championship.

Andrea Favaretto took Reserve honors with a 152 score.

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2021 Spotlight

The Cutting Masters

Denis Pini and Michal Popov’s Stop Ur Hot, 2021 AMERICANA Masters Cutting Open Champions (score 147)

Greta Salvatori and Marco Salvatori’s Cat Rey Lou, 2021 AMERICANA Masters Cutting Non Pro Champions (score 149)

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW •

Sasha Schwind and The Big Spoon owned by Claudia Schwind, 2021 Masters Cutting Youth Champions (score 146)

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Ranch Riding Bound!

oschka Werdermann soared to the 2021 AMERICANA Ranch Riding European Open Championship. He had two horses in the qualifier, and in the finals he won first and second place aboard respectively 12-year-old AQHA Ruff Commander (Ruf Lil Rascal x Peppys Especial Lena), owned

by Leonie Mager and the Criollo CP Chaca Teso, owned by Jacqueline Gulden-Schütz.

The Buckskin stallion Ruff Commander has had a successful reining career among others, "I've had Ruff Commander in training for about four weeks now," said Joschka. "He is an absolutely cool, laid-back horse, but of course I didn't know how he would manage the atmosphere of the show arena here at AMERICANA, but at the end he didn't mind at all

Joschka Werdermann & Ruff Commander

and was right there with me from the beginning."

Verena Geirhos riding Lisa Geirhos’ Nu Rietta Chex took the Ranch Riding European Ranch Riding Non Pro Championship with a 151 score.

Verena Geirhos & Nu Rietta Chex

NEW LOCATION FOR AMERICANA 2023 Following discussions regarding further growth of the event, as right holders and sporting management AMERICANA GmbH, searched for a new venue for Europe’s largest trade show centered around western riding disciplines.

The chosen location was the Messe Friedrichshafen fairgrounds.

Friedrichshafen, located on Lake Constance, Germany, is located in the heart of Europe.

Dates have been set for September 6–10, 2023. Mark your calendar!

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Challenge Futurity

The 2022 NCHA of Italy/NCHA Challenge Futurity:

The 2022 Cutting Season Is Open!

CremonaFiere opened the doors to the 2022 NCHA of Italy/NCHA Challenge Futurity.

Fanti and Annovazzi shared the first Open Championship of the year.

NCHA of Italy President Salvatori topped the Non Pro leaderboard.

February 24-27, 2022 | CremonaFiere - Italy

The Open Challenge Futurity Federico Fanti & Spook A Boon

Martina Annovazzi & Cheesecake Deluxe

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Sharing the Co-Championship in the NCHA of Italy/NCHA Open Challenge Futurity with a 146.5 composite score was Federico Fanti aboard Sergio Traverso’s Spook A Boon (Boogie Boon x Spook A Taz).

“He’s just a great horse, we won last year’s Futurity together and it’s great to start the new season with a win confirming how solid he is. We had few bobbles during the first go of this event, but we managed to fix them and at the end everything worked out!”

Martina Annovazzi and Cheesecake Deluxe (Sannman x Poundcake Deluxe

by Cats Quixote Jack) proudly owned by

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Chiara Milani

Marco Salvatori, also closed the show with a 146.5 composite score to share the prestigious Championship.

“I’m really proud of the horse I rode and of course of the result, but most of all I’m really happy with the improvement she has made during the past few months. She’s really solid now, more connected to the cow, and also physically ready.”

Winning the Limited Open Championship with a 136 composite was Nicola Simone riding his own Tassa Cash MR. Reserve honors went to René Opitz aboard Million Dollar R Babe.

Marco Salvatori & Smart iron Rey

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Nicola Simone & Tassa Cash MR

The Non Pro Challenge Futurity

NCHA of Italy/NCHA Non Pro Challenge Futurity with a 146 Marco Salvatori riding his own composite score.

Smart Iron Rey won the 2022 “I’m very happy with this win, especially because this horse is home-bred sired by our stallion Smart Rey Pepto out of one of our mares, DB Cats Sweet Lady

by Sweet Lil Pepto. I’m also glad this show turned out very well even if some of the European riders were not able to attend, and what I like most is seeing that the level of the cutting really grew in the past few years, in the young horse classes as well.”

With a 144.5 total score, Greta Salvatori claimed the Reserve Championship riding Aftershock Rey .

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Derby

Record-Breaking NCHA of Italy/NCHA Derby The Italian Special Event, held during the renowned Salone del Cavallo in Cremona, brought back the ‘good old days’ with a record-breaking number of entries and riders from all over Europe.

May 18-21, 2022 | CremonaFiere - Italy

Fanti claims Open Derby and the Triple Crown Leaving his mark in the arena was Italian professional Federico Fanti who not only took the Open Derby Championship but also claimed the ‘Triple Crown’ win: He in fact claimed the Futurity, Challenge Futurity, and Derby titles riding Spook A Boon owned by Sergio Traverso. “Stating I am on cloud nine does not express how I feel,” said Fanti. “The level of competition here was extremely high and earning second Open Derby title as well as the Triple Crown is incredible. I am very proud of my horse, who I raised, broke, and trained, and who rode me to these results. He has a royal pedigree and is one of the most solid horses I have ever ridden and was as easy to train as his mother was.” According to Fanti he was great in the first go, as he always is, and that is the trick. “Anything can happen in the second go, but we were both really concentrated and we made it! He will always hold a very special place in my heart,” he

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Federico Fanti & Spook A Boon

Nicola Simone & Tassa Cash Mr

added and was quick to thank all his team.

The Open Derby Reserve Championship, with a 288 score, was for Denis Pini riding She Talks Smart owned by Paolo Gozzi. Pini also took third place honors with a 286 riding Another Bullet for owner Imre Katona.

Taking the Limited Open Derby title was Nicola Simone riding

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Edited Press Release

Tassa Cash Mr, followed by Andrea Favaretto aboard Dont Even Talk.

“Winning the Championship two years in a row was great and the best thing about all this is having won with a horse born at my place and trained by me,” said Simone. “I truly had a lot of fun and would like to thank all the trainers that helped me along the way: Denis Pini, Pietro Valeri, Martina Anovazzi and Federico Fanti. The thing I love the most about this discipline is the collaboration between all of us.”

The Non Pro Derby Taking first place honors with a 289 score was Stefano Noci riding Trendzetter for owner Marco Sacchetti. “Winning was a gift from above,” said Noci. “ Marco and I were wondering where we would go with this horse and we could not

Stefano Noci & Trendzetter

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Pietro Valeri & Cat Rey Lou

be any happier. He’s really talented and I’ve only had him in training since 2021; he is super fun to ride and to show and a huge thanks goes to Gianluca Munarini and Sheri Mason for their help in the arena.”

The Reserve Championship with a

286 was for Marco Salvatori riding Smart Iron Rey followed by Zoltan Szalontai riding Big Island. The latter also rode to the Limited Non Pro Derby Championship.

Spring Show: The Open Open to aged horses, where only six qualified for the finals, the Spring Show is considered one of the most prestigious events. In Cremona, five of the six finalists were all from Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horses.

The title, with a 148.5 score, went to Pietro Valeri and Cat Rey Lou owned by Marco Salvatori. Tying for the Reserve Championship was Martina Annovazzi riding Iminent Cat for owner Maurizio Sandei, and Marco Salvatori with Highbrow Time under the saddle.

Each scored a 146.

“The show here was impeccable

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Derby

Marco Salvatori & Highbrow Time

Greta Salvatori & Cat Rey Lou

under all aspects; the organization, the ground, the cattle,” said Valeri who gave credit to his amazing mare Cat Rey Lou. “Regarding our team’s results, they were extraordinary, in particular because five out of the six finalists in the open and four in the non pro division

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were from Rosy O’Grady’s. What made the Spring Show even more exciting was the Non Pro division: They were all incredible and all dared to show their horses. Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife Martina for all she does for me and the team day-in-day-out.”

Spring Show: The Non Pro Tying for the Championship with a 150 score was Marco Salvatori riding Highbrow Time along with his daughter Greta aboard Cat Rey Lou. Matteo Chinaglia closed in third place riding Vino Cappuccino to a 147 score.

Marco was thrilled with his win and thanked his horse for riding him to his third Spring Show title.

“He is a fantastic horse who this year also rode me to the Open Reserve Championship,” he said.

“He just gets better and better each time I show him and I have to give him the credit as well as my trainers Martina and Pietro [Valeri]. I would like to extend my thanks to Federico Fanti and Gaetan Foulatier for their help in the show pen, and of course I loved sharing this title with my daughter Greta.” The NCHA of Italy president was also pleased with having so many European riders who believe in the events organized in Italy.

For Greta the win was sweet: In the past two years she closed Reserve.

“Victory was always really close and my goal this year was to show well and to bring home the title,” she said. “I gave my all and tried to be fast. I cut three cows and worked them trying to show the judges the risk factor. My mare was fantastic, in great shape, solid, and winning in a field of 20 entries was very emotional for me.”

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Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horse Jackpot

Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horse Jackpot Wonderful Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horses hosts, Rosanna and Marco Salvatori, welcomed the 2022 edition of their annual classic: The Jackpot.

Over 95 horse-rider-combinations made their way to Fanano to show in a one-day format during which NCHA-approved classes were held.

June 4, 2022 | Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horse - Italy

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talian Professional Gianluca Munarini rode Just Gettin Started owned by Dagmar Sebelova to win the NCHA Open All Ages with a 74 score followed

by Denis Pini who closed with a 72 tying his two horses, Metallic Huntress owned by Simone

Lupano, and Riccardo Pini’s Merada Dreamcatcher in second place.

“One-day shows are always long but here in Fanano the organization was great thanks to Marco and Rosanna,” said Munarini. “Another factor is how

the cattle hold up since the show is outdoors. That too didn’t turn out to be a problem at all and my horse, who has won quite a bit in the U.S., was quick to adapt. A special thank you goes to my help in the arena: Sheri Mason, Andrea Pagani, Rosana Bembom, and

Gianluca Munarini & Just Gettin Started

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Edited Press Release

Denis Pini & Dresd N Crome

Maurizio Sandei & Miss Blue Boons Ruby

Willem Bembom & Smoking Spook

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Federico Fanti, but credit also goes to those outside the pen, Gianfausto Previcini and Erika Massetti.

Munarini and his mount also claimed the Jackpot Open All Ages followed by Denis Pini who closed in second and third place with Sdp Rubys Tr Cat owned by Luca Bertacchini and Crazy in Shade owned by Giuliano Cima.

Pini also took the NCHA $5.000

Novice Horse by scoring a 74 with Dresd N Crome for owner Roman Plavka. A point behind he also took second place with Sticky Dual owned by Alessandro Marrapese. “I cannot thank the organizers enough for having organized an impeccable show under every aspect which allowed me to ride to make the winner's circle in the three categories,” he said. “I would also like to thank all those that help me and the owners for trusting me with their horses.

Peter Hanraths and Arnicat scored a 71 to win the Jackpot $25.000 Limit Rider in a field of 12 entries. Second place, a point behind, was for Anna Koukal aboard Spoonful of Tears. “Riding in the facility where I board my horses is always wonderful for me,” said Hanraths. “This show as always turned out great and my horse gave me all he had, in particular since we were last to go.

I am proud and happy with this result and thank Martina [Annovazzi] and Pietro [Valeri] for their precious help.”

Maurizio Sandei clinched the $50.000 Amateur with a 72 aboard Miss Blue Boons Ruby.

Rosana Bembom and Back Street Cat owned by Willem Bembom closed in second place followed by Michal Popov riding Playlite.

Sandei was quick to thank the organizers and his horse as well as

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Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horse Jackpot

Paolo Pellegrini & Babygoterboonjeanson

Vittoria Antonini & Sofies Choice Cat

his trainer Martina who has guided him through his cutting adventure.

Non Pros and Amateurs took the reins in the second part of the day with Willem Bembon scoring an excellent 74 to win both the NCHA Non Pro All Ages and the Jackpot Non Pro riding Smoking Spook.

In the Non Pro division, Marco Salvatori rode Twisted Red Faye to a 73 score taking second place while, a point behind, two combinations tied for third place:

Yvonne Heinzer riding Snappy Hunter and Martina Tresoldi aboard Genuine Alley Cat Sandei placed second in the Jackpot Non Pro with his Iminent Cat posting a 72.5 score followed, half a point behind, by Martina Tresoldi with Genuine Alley Cat and Rosana Bembom with Back Street Cat. Riding to the top of the leaderboard in the NCHA $15.000 Amateur was Paolo Pellegrini and his flashy sorrel Babygoterboonjeanson (score 73), followed by Matteo Chinaglia aboard Vino Cappuccino (score 72) and Jana Kucerova riding Blisterbeetle (score 71.5). “We lived yet another great day of cutting thanks to the Salvatori family who once again showed their passion for our discipline,” said Pellegrini. “I am fortunate to have my horses here in training and everyone is just great, even when things don’t go quite right.”

The NCHA Youth class saw Sara Giudici riding Marco Salvatori’s Smart Iron Rey to a 72 score and a win. Asia Boni followed riding My Final Cut, and Azzurra Avigni and Metallic Di Nero closed in third place. “Smart Iron Rey was born, raised, and trained here at Rosy O’Grady’s and I was fortunate Marco let me show him in the Youth class,” said Sara. ‘I showed

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him in Cremona, with two great results, and I cannot thank everyone here enough for helping me grow in this sport.”

Winner in the Novice Riders class was Paola Longoni with Pedaltothemedal, followed by Asia Boni riding My Final Cut and Michela Cassinelli with High Brow Chicolena. “I started riding cutters about two years ago and, since cutting chose me, I found myself dealing with a great discipline but not such a simple one,” said Longoni. “I never would have thought that I would compete in a championship but, thanks to my trainer Pietro Gardella and his horse Pedaltothemedal, I was blessed to be able to live this experience.

Being able to show here was amazing as this facility reflects all the love the Salvatori family and their team has for this sport.”

It was all about the girls in the NCHA $1.000 Amateur with Alessia Leonardi and Lil Scoot N Pep taking the lead with a 70 score, followed by Annalisa Salomoni riding Onerey and Azzurra Avigni aboard Metallic Di Nero. “I didn’t ride great since I was a little tense, but our score was enough to win,” said Leonardi. “This first class helped us to better in the $2000 Limit rider where we placed third. My

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Alessia Leonardi & Lil Scoot n Pep

horse isn’t a youngster anymore, but he is always good in the pen and reads the cows great.”

Closing the day was the NCHA $2.000 Limit Rider where Marinella Lenzotti and Silverado Rey closed their performance with a 74 score and the win. Alessandro Fulceri riding Marco Salvatori’s Denvers Purdy placed second

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Marinella Lenzotti & Silverado Rey

half-a-point behind, followed by Alessia Leonardi in third after scoring a 72 with Lil Scoot N Pep owned by Elisa Leonardi. “I wanted to start the show season here because I owe the Salvatori family: Thanks to them I became acquainted with this discipline and today was very emotional for me since my horse

was ready to win. A huge thank you to my trainer Denis Pini and to Pietro and Martina. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Rosy O’Grady’s Jackpot, edition 2023, wrote yet another great chapter of cutting in Europe in only one day!

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Alle Colombare Cutting Trophy

Alle Colombare Cutting Trophy On July 2, the Colombare Cutting Trohpy welcomed 80 horse-rider combinations judged

by Ed Dufurrena who then stayed on to host a clinic. Thanks to the sponsors, fresh cattle were brought in for all those that attended. “I would like to expresss my gratitude for having been invited back to judge the Jackpot and to work a clinic,” said Duffurena.

“The ground in the indoor arena is exceptional and the cattle were too.

Denis Pini Cutting Horses Team was great and with Denis [Pini] we were also able to have a small workshop focusing on bits.”

July 2, 2022 | Alle Colombare - Italy

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ini was quick to credit the work done by Duffurena and was pleased with the number of attendees. He also expressed his delight in the number of entries in the new Ladies Only class, won by an amateur showing the high level of competition among the lady cutters.

The Champions

Open All Ages Denis Pini took the win with a 74 riding Metallic Huntress owned by Simone Lupano. Second place was for Gianluca Munarini and Back Street Cat owned by Willem Bembom.

Denis Pini & Metallic Huntress Gianluca Munarini & Back Street Cat

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Chiara Milani

Jackpot Open All Ages Pini took the lead after $50.000 Amateur: Katona Imre rode Once In A Blu scoring a 73.5 aboard Sdp Rubys Tr Cat for owner Lou to an outstanding 74 score. Bembom followed Luca Bertacchini. In second Gianluca Munarini and two points behind on his Smoking Spook.

Back Street Cat. $25.000 Limit Rider with a 72 was for Michela Cassinelli and High Brow Chicolena owned by Roberto Cordani, followed by young rider Virginia Bertacchini and her Sdp Rubys Tr Cat (score 71). $5.000 Novice Horse: Sheri Mason rode Smartys Lil Cowboy Andrea Pagani to a 74. A point behind was Marco Salvatori riding Smart Iron Rey.

Katona Imre & Once In A Blu Lou

$15.000 Amateur: Topping the 10 entries, Vittoria Antonini and Sofies Choice Cat owned by Silvia Viaggi scored a 74 for the win. Riccardo Pini and Merada Dreamcatcher, a point behind, came in second.

Sheri Mason & Smartys Lil Cowboy

Non Pro All Ages: Willem Bembom took the win with a 71 with Smoking Spook. The pair also took the Jackpot Non Pro All Ages.

Vittoria Antonini & Sofies Choice Cat

$2.000 Limit Rider/Any Horse: Open to horses that have less than $2.000 LTE saw Giulio Gallazzi riding Playlite di Michal Popov win with a 72).

Willem Bembom & Smoking Spook

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$1.000 Amateur: Giulio Gallazzi and Playlite owned

by Michal Popov rode to a 71.

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Alle Colombare Cutting Trophy

Novice Riders: Michela Cassinelli and High Brow Chicolena cut their way to a 71 score and the win.

Boni and her mount took second place.

At the end of the intense day of competition, Pini announced that Dufurrena will be back for the 2023 edition.

For Ladies Only: The inaugural class saw Alessia Leonardi and Lil Scoot N Pep owned by Elisa Leonardi score a 74 for the win. Martina Annovazzi and Maurizio Sandei’s Iminent Cat followed half-apoint behind.

Alessia Leonardi & Lil Scoot n Pep

Youth: Asia Boni and My Final Cut are the winners followed by Tiago Marrapese and Sticky Dual owned

by Alessandro Marrapese.

Asia Boni & My Final Cut

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Maturity

The 2022 NCHA of Italy/NCHA Maturity Two Peat for Merada Dreamcatcher CremonaFiere opened the doors to the 2022 NCHA of Italy/NCHA Maturity.

Merada Dreamcatcher took home the Open and the Youth Championships with father and son, Denis and Riccardo Pini in the saddle.

August 25-28, 2022 | CremonaFiere - Italy

Denis Pini & Merada Dreamcatcher

The Open Maturity NCHA of Italy/NCHA Open Maturity first go leaders, Denis Pini riding the talented Merada Dreamcatcher (Spooks Smokin

Cat x Ride N Merada) owned by Riccardo Pini, scored a big 74 in the second go and took the prestigious Championship with a 146.5 composite.

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Half a point behind Maturity Open Reserve Champion are Martina Annovazzi and Iminent Cat owned by Maurizio Sandei.

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Chiara Milani

The Non Pro Maturity Willem Bembom and his own Smoking Spook (Spooks Smokin Cat x Sweet Huntress) topped the second go with a 73 score and closed with a 145 composite score and the 2022 NCHA of Italy NCHA Non Pro Maturity Championship.

One point behind, Willem’s daughter Rosana rode Oreyginal Gangsta (Dual Rey x Cat Mom Do) to reserve honors.

The Youth Maturity Merada Dreamcatcher rode owner Riccardo Pini to the NCHA Maturity Youth Co-Championhip with a 144 score adding another 2022 Maturity title to her accolades.

Virginia Bertacchini and SDP Rubys Tr Cat tied for the Maturity Youth Co-Championship.

Willem Bembom & Smoking Spook

Riccardo Pini & Dreamcather

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Virginia Bertacchini & SDP Rubys Tr Cat

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Pre Futurity

The 2022 NCHA of Italy/NCHA Pre Futurity:

Sannman’s Offspring Steal The Show It was a full week of cutting in the CremonaFiere revamped setting where the 2022 NCHA of Italy/NCHA Pre Futurity took place. Italian Professional Gianluca Munarini took the Open Championship riding Nosey Man and Giuliano Cima rode Crazy In Shade to top the Non Pro leaderboard.

October 6-9, 2022 | CremonaFiere - Italy

The Open Pre Futurity Open to 3-year-old horses, the Pre Futurity Open saw Italian professional Gianluca Munarini riding Nosey Man, an American Quarter Horse gelding owned by Rosana Bembom, to the highest

step of the podium.

Closing his run with a 72 score, Munarini was very happy with his young mount's result. “This horse which I bred is out of Dualapeno, one of my broodmares, and is sired by Sannman. I then sold him

Gianluca Munarini & Nosey Man

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to his current owner Rosana [Bembom]. He’s a good-minded horse, with a lot of cow sense, and is very smart in reading the cows.

Today the cows weren't that good, but he was very quick at figuring them out. The plan is now to get him ready for the upcoming [NCHA of Italy] Futurity.”

One point behind, reserve honors went to Elisa Leonardi aboard Elena Carolina Rossi’s Bonnie Lenastar, an American Quarter Horse mare sired by Lena Starfish out of FD Star Of Time.

Elisa Leonardi & Bonnei Lenastar

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Chiara Milani

The Non Pro Topping the 4-year-old Non Pro Pre Futurity was Italy's Giuliano Cima riding his own Crazy In Shade. "I purchased this talented

mare (Sannman x Brave Heart) in February and this is our second show together,” said an excited Cima. “She's a good horse with a great desire to learn and I have to

Giuliano Cima & Crazy In Shade

Let’s hear it from the Judge

thank my trainer Denis [Pini] as she's improving a lot since we got her. She showed her potential in this event and I'm confident she'll be much better in the upcoming Futurity in November."

Nicola Simone rode his own Tassa Cash MR (Tassas Aristocrat x Cute And Cash) to a 71 score and the Reserve Championship.

Nicola Simone & Tassa Cash MR

Professional horse trainer and clinician Andy Adams is also an NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) Monitor and Judge, NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) Judge, and (AQHA) American Quarter Horse Association Judge.

“I’ve been here in Europe several times, probably six or seven times, and it’s always a pleasure to come over. Talking about cutting in Europe, Italy is definitely a very strong nation, there are some really good horses here and trainers, the only big difference between here and the USA is just the numbers of contestants. I’m very impressed with the quality of the horses, the horsemanship and the showmanship.

If I had to give some advice, the number one thing for me is ‘settling the cattle’, the way they handle the cattle could be a little different. The cows here are really different from the ones we have in the United States and what happens is that the riders learn from other people overseas to work the cows, and then they try to settle the cattle here as they saw doing it in the USA, but they’re not the same cattle. I think riders, trainers and most of all turnbacks should work on these things a little bit differently, also to be able to better help the person who’s showing. But as I said, those are just little things, rather than that, everything I saw was great.”

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Futurity

NCHA Of Italy/NCHA Futurity And European Championship For the third year running, NCHA of Italy has had the honor of hosting the European Championship during the Futurity. The event attracted a high number of entries with horses and riders coming from all over Europe vying for the prestigious titles.

NCHA of Italy would like to thank all those that made their way to Cremona, in particular NCHA Europe and its directors for their trust. A special thank you to the actors that made the show: The horses and the riders.

November 2-6, 2022 | CremonaFiere - Italy

Denis Pini & Lanna del Rey

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Photos by Bonaga Communication

By Edited Press Release

Open Futurity Denis Pini and Lanna del Rey, owned by Chiara Piazza, claimed the title with a 291 score. “Owners Chiara and Marco are not cutting experts but they immediately fell in love with Lanna Del Rey’s structure and sweet eyes,” said Pini. “She is still a little green in my opinion and I truly didn’t believe she could achieve this result. She stops deep, is very light in her movements, and even though she is not explosive she reads cows, even their slightest details.” Pini dedicated this victory to his mother who passed away two months prior to the Futurity.

The Reserve Championship was for Gianluca Munarini and Nosey Man, owned by Rosana Bembom, with a 286.5 score.

Limited Open Futurity Riding to the Limited Open Futurity Championship was Anton Kondela riding Silver Cleopatra (Spooks Smokin Cat x Reys Lucky Gal) for owner Petr

Anton Kondela & Silver Cleopatra

Ctrnacty. His first thoughts were for his helpers and all his team at home as well as his family.

“Preparing the horses for the Futurity has made this an intense year: My mare was talented from the beginning and has been solid all year round.

We were fortunate the 4NCHA offered a ranch cutting class all year round which is open to young horses and gave us the opportunity to show. My mare

has always been very consistent and also took home the 4NCHA Ranch Cutting Championship. I rode her dam who has passed on her big heart and love to work with cattle. I’m really happy with how she went here with me and with her owner who went well in the 3-year-old Non Pro Futurity.”

The Reserve Championship went to Milan Klimcik riding My Blue Spirit.

#Moments

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NCHA of Italy/NCHA Futurity

3-Year-Old Non Pro Futurity

Gaia Salvatori & Dropit Lyk Its Hott

Non Pro Futurity Gaia Salvatori rode Dropit Lyk Its Hott–AKA ‘Minnie’— owned by her father Marco Salvatori, to the Championship scoring a 292, 12 points higher than her father who closed in second place aboard Cheesecat Deluxe. “Winning this title is immense, in particular since I have only ridden this mare we purchased in the U.S. from Matt Gaines a few times,” shared Gaia.

“She is super solid, is very cowy, and is very mature for her age.

Thanks go to my trainers Pietro and Martina, for having prepared her for me. The Futurity is a show that brings a lot of emotion, therefore it’s important to be able to handle non pro riders. We have an incredible team at home and at the shows. It truly takes a village.”

Imre Katona and Another Bullet closed in third place in the Non Pro division and went on to clinch the Futurity Limited Non Pro Championship. In this division, Nicola Simone and Tassa Cash Mr earned reserve honors.

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Rosana Bembom claimed the title four points ahead of Reserve Champions Gaia Salvatori riding Stevie Reyvenge for Marco Salvatori. Bembon only had good things to say about her mount, Nosey Man, who she won with performing to a 144 score. “It’s difficult to find the right words to describe how I feel. My horse showed us all he has a huge heart.

He’s really sweet, very serious, a hard worker, loves the cows, and makes you feel confident. I am happy with this result, but most of all I am thrilled with how we get along as I have always believed in him and in my trainer [Gianluca Munarini] who was able to bring out the best in him and who I thank. We had a really clean ride here, and that was our goal.”

Rosana Bembom & Stevie Reyvenge

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NCHA Europe Open Champions

Pietro Valeri & Cat Rey Lou

Pietro Valeri and Cat Rey Lou (High Brow Cat x Farra Rey) owned by Marco Salvatori posted a 295.5 for the Championship. “This great mare was purchased in the U.S. six years ago and her LTE were around $110.000. Now she’s close to $165.000. I don’t believe there are many horses that can achieve this result! She’s a oncein-a-lifetime horse.”

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Gaia Salvatori & Metallic Savanah, Airone Trophy Open Champions

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Federico Fanti & Spook A Boon, NCHA Europe $5.000 Novice Horse Champions

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Katerina Spacilova & Dual Rey TR, NCHA Europe $25.000 Limit Rider

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Roman Plavka & Travalen Cat, NCHA Europe $50.000 Amateur Champions

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Vittoria Antonini & Trendzetter, NCHA Europe $15.000 Amateur Champion & Airone Non Pro Champions

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Giulio Gallazzi & Playlite, NCHA Europe $2.000 Limit Rider Champions

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Virginia Bertacchini & Sdp Rubys TR Cat, NCHA Europe $1.000 Amateur Champions

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Sergio Chiusa & Wild Rey Sunset, NCHA of Italy Novice Riders Champions

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Riccardo Pini & Merada Dream Catcher, NCHA Europe Youth Champions

NCHA Europe Non Pro Champions Martina Tresoldi and Genuine Alley Cat “I was really worried about showing at the Futurity since my last show was the Fanano Jackpot, but my mare [by Metallic Cat] made everything easy and I am on cloud nine. She was purchased in the States, is now 9 years old, and she’s been successfully shown here for the past two years. Denis [Pini] actually won the year-end NCHA of Italy Open Championship with her and that was super cool. I can’t wait to see what her babies will be like!”

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Martina Tresoldi & Genuine Alley Cat

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#Spotlight

𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 Italian Marco Salvatori made his way to the 2022 Metallic Cat NCHA Futurity.

He came back home with third-place honors in the McAlister Assets Amateur Finals.

Let's hear it from Salvatori, NCHA of Italy President.

“I am obviously very happy with the result of this overseas trip. This was my first Futurity in the USA, so for me and my horse, Paydey, it was a very first.

Paydey is sired by Stevie Rey Von out of Zen And Tonic, was bred by Michael Cooper, and trained by his son Lance [Cooper] who – in my opinion – is one of the most talented new generation cutters. This was the very first horse he trained completely by himself and I must say he did an amazing job because this is a very solid horse, fast, very expressive, and—at the

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same time—a great horse for an amateur rider like me.

I would have been just as happy to make the SemiFinals, but being able to get into the Final was really the best of what I could aspire to, also because there were many talented amateurs I had to show against.

"I managed to cut three good but very challenging cows. Maybe I should have worked them a bit more but they were very fast so I decided to balance the risk with having more control of my run. For me, for the horse, for Rosy o’ Grady’s cutting horse team, but also in general for European cutting, I think this result is a demonstration that we as well can aspire to compete in an event like this. I really want to thank my family who came with me and supported me from the beginning, all the Italian friends who were at the show, and those who followed and supported us from home.

Naturally, a huge thank you to our trainers Martina Annovazzi and Pietro Valeri who helped me find a good show strategy.

"I would especially like to thank all the Cooper family and their team who took care of the horse in the best possible way, the excellent turnbacks I had the honor of having in the arena with me, and Gildo Minichiello who worked for us for several years and now is based in the States. The best thing about this adventure is the great memories.” www.internationalhorsepress.com

SR Four Crown Spectacular

The Inaugural 2022 NRCHA/ERCHA SR FOUR CROWN SPECTACULAR Presented by International Horse Press For the very first time in the history of reined cow horses, a group of passionate enthusiasts had the guts to bring ‘The Greatest’ beyond the Big Pond.

Elisa Ferrari of Samisa Ranch and Chiara Milani of International Horse Press brought together 15 great riders representing five nations along with great horses and owners who dared, making the very first SR Four Crown Spectacular a success.

Giovanni Campanaro & Hot As Wasabi

Photos by 8 Photo Agency

By Simona Diale

T

he inaugural competition, with horses ridden in a bridle, added the Steer Stopping to the European Reined Cow Horse events; a first for those that show in NRCHA approved events on the Old Continent.

Three horse-rider combinations who typically show in Europe’s roping events dared to run down the fence. As NRCHA and Professional Blue Allen put it; “It’s great to be here and wonderful to see our sport grow worldwide. I

Samuele Poli Barberis & Cats Got Freckles

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understand the constraints here make it tough, but thanks to the options such as the breakaway rope where the horse, riding, and stopping are judged without turning the steer, has made this event possible here also,” shared Allen. “Having 15 duos entered in this European first is absolutely amazing. In the very first NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman, there were between 15 to 20 horses entered; now there are around 70.

I am certain it will grow here too.”

Successful Italian professional Giovanni Campanaro of Italy riding Hot As Wasabi, a 2014 mare sired by Little Dulces Rey out of Whirlacat owned by Sarah Destefanis took the NRCHA Open title; Samuele Poli Barberis, also from Italy, rode Cats Got Freckles a 2010 by WR This Cats Smart out of Playboys Girl owned by Luca Terzi, to Reserve honors; Germany’s Arno Gorgasser rode his own 7-year-old mare Beat This Kat (WR This Cats King x Beat This Enterprise), claiming third place.

Arno Gorgasser & Beat This Kat

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SR Four Crown Spectacular

The Non Pro

Fletch x Lil Sally Cat) closed the steer stopping with a 69 score Gabriele Poli Barberis of Italy and a 281.5 total composite and Samisa Ranch's 13-year-old claiming the inaugural Non Pro stallion Highbrow Fletch (Royal SR Four Crown Spectacular

Gabriele Poli Barberis & HIghbrow Fletch

Championship. “I’m really happy with the result we achieved here, in this great inaugural event. My horse is really complete, very athletic and strong, and always helps me out in the arena. He’s simply amazing,” said Gabriele.

Taking reserve honors was Marie Mura of France and her 6year-old gelding Woody Choco Pepto (Stylin Dual x Mamaws Little Pepto).

The duo topped the scoreboard in the inaugural non pro steer stopping with a 71 as well as the rein work with a 69.5. “I’m really trilled with how my horse performed here in particular because we started showing him in a bridle this year. This event fell at the right time,” said Mura. “I look forward to next year’s event as he did really well for me and always takes care of me.”

Youth Champions The very first European Youth to take part in the ‘Greatest’ was 10-year-old Edoardo Poli Barberis of Italy riding Snapperheartbreaker— a 2004 American Quarter Horse gelding sired

by Mr Snapple out of Phoebes Heartbreaker— owned by Vincenzo Spinetta.

The duo left their mark in the SR Four Crown Spectacular winning the ERCHA Youth Championship with a 271 composite score.

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All Girls Champion A thrilled Mura and 'Choco' also posted the highest score in the RopinK Challenge All Girls Division taking home the Trophy Buckle.

Third place honors went to Austria's Andrea Popp riding her 6-year-old gelding One Smart Sultan (Two Play To x Avril Smart Play).

Andrea Popp & One Smart Sultan

The Judge Okami Ranch brought renowned NRCHA Multiple Past World Champion and NRCHA Judge Blue Allen in the chair at the inaugural SR Four Crown Spectacular Based out of Alamosa, Colorado, where he lives with his wife, Jeannie and son, Caden, Allen went from cowboying to team roping to rodeoing before settling down to work with reined cow horses. “I moved to reined cow horse because it truly is a premier horse event. The ‘Greatest’ is the pinnacle of all horse events as you have to show your horse in four disciplines and this shows the horse’s athletic ability and versatility,” he continued. “Due to past injuries, I have not been able to show much lately, but being an NRCHA judge allows me to be part of the sport I love. You get to see a lot of good runs, good horses and different styles. I am looking forward to judging the inaugural European Greatest: The very first horse-rider to win here is making history.”

In 2007, Allen rode Whiskey Starlight to the Reserve World Championship. The following year at the NRCHA Futurity in Reno, he made the Limited Open Futurity Finals on Mister Kat, won the Limited Open Bridle on Chex Peppy Pistol and was Reserve Limited Open champion on Whiskey Starlight. In 2009 he was once again a World Champion in San Angelo, on Chex Peppy Pistol in the Limited Open Bridle and Reserve Champion on Double R Wrightway.

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Giovanni Campanaro & Shesa Genuinelypepto

Photos by 8 Photo Agency

By Press Release

2022 ERCHA/NRCHA Derby The first major of the European Reined Cow Horse season brought together Europe’s best 4- and 5-year-old reined cow horses. Once again Giovanni Campanaro rode to the winner’s circle in the Open division and non professional Nicola Succo carried on his winning streak by claiming the Non Pro Championship.

May 5-8, 2022 | Travagliato - Italy

ERCHA/NRCHA DP Saddlery Derby Open Twenty-one open riders piloted 4-and 5-year-old horses entered in the European Reined Cow Horse Association Derby Open sponsored by DP Saddlery.

At the conclusion of the three rounds, the combination that closed with the highest composite score of 295 was Shesa Genuinelypepto (Oaks Lone Pepto x Haida Oleana) ridden by Giovanni Campanaro for owner Loris Paone.

“This mare always tries to give her best in the arena and I will look forward to showing her in the Hackamore,” said Campanaro about the 5year-old mare.

Three riders tied for the Reserve Championship with a composite score of 292.5. Campanaro had two under the saddle: the first Henry Royal Rey

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2022 ERCHA/NRCHA DERBY

(Roany Rey x Mariah Pep), owned by Lorenzo Colombo, and Trix Aristocrat MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) for owner and breeder Matese Ranch. He was joined by Sara Casalini riding Gunner On Line (Shine On Line x Shyawhiz), owned by Andrea Sanfelici and bred by Piergiuseppe Guidetti.

Casalini and her mount also earned the Level 1 Derby Open Championship. “I truly didn’t really expect this result because it was a difficult final for us,” said the 20-year-old rider. “I’m really happy and I really look forward to showing him again.”

Federico Fanti and Stick Snapper Quick (Quick Kid Roan x Jasmine Bob Acre), owned by Andrea Filzi, closed with a 291 composite and the Level 1 Open Reserve Championship.

Sara Casalini & Gunner On Line

ERCHA/NRCHA Okami Ranch Derby

by Alessia Campi, swept the Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro Nicola Succo and A Nite With Marilyn (Gunners Derby titles. “This win is very special for me since we Special Nite x LDL Marilyn Chex), bred and owned bred her and it was a long haul to train with Giovanni

Nicola Succu & A Nite With Marilyn

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aboard Brownie Lady (Smart Rey Pepto x DB Cats Sweet Lady) placed second with a 275.5 composite.

ERCHA/NRCHA Okami Ranch Derby Non Pro Boxing Open to 4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses, Giulia Zamperini was draw three in the six-horse Okami Ranch Derby Non Pro Boxing cow work final. She lit up the arena with a thrilling performance, then waited to see if her 74 on the cow would keep her atop the class. When the final whistle blew, Giulia and Easy Smart Boom (Smart Easy Deal x Blue Boons Lil Sue), owned by Alessandra Bologna and bred by Società Agricola Le Fattorie di Matilde, marked a 283 composite to earn the title.

Giulia Zamperini & Easy Smart Boons This was the second special event for the pair. “I Campanaro,” he said. “She’s been a great horse for didn’t expect this result; my horse was amazing me and taught me a lot. I would like to extend a today and I really want to thank him along with heartfelt thank you to Jacopo Ranch.” all the people who helped us win our first special event title,” said the 17-year-old Italian rider.

Gabriele Poli Barberis and LF Double Climber (Double R Chant x LikeAFallingFeather) clinched Swiss Pauline Brogli from Switzerland and her 5the Non Pro Derby Reserve Championship with a year-old gelding, VH Captain Badger (Diamond 276.5 composite score.

Cat Fifty x Starlight Toga), closed with a 279 In the Level 1 Non Pro division, Giulia Costelli composite and second spot.

#Moments

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ERCHA | NRCHA Futurity Nations Cup & Derby

Giovanni Campanaro & Trix Aristocrat MR

2022 ERCHA/NRCHA Futurity & Nations Cup Once again the European Reined Cow Horse event brought thrills thanks to the great rides and the increase in entries. The prestigious Nations Cup and the second Derby of the season were also offered.

October 12-15, 2022 | Travagliato - Italy

A

Level 1 Open Futurity Sara Casalini and Gunner On Line, a gelding by Shine On Line out of Shyawhiz owned by Andrea Sanfelici, clinched the Level 1 Open Championship with a 216 composite.

Open Futurity The Reserve Championship, with a 214 composite, Italian professional rider Giovanni Campanaro was for French William Coulomb riding Marie Mura's qualified five horses in the Open Finals and 4-year-old bay mare WR Shining Remedy (WR This closed his performances by taking home the Cats Smart x Shining Smart Remedy).

Futurity Open Championship with Trix Aristocrat MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) and a big 219 composite score for owner Matese Ranch. thrilling evening of reined cowhorse action took place in Travagliato where the 2022 European Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity Champions were crowned.

With a 218 composite, Campanaro also tied for the Reserve Open Championship aboard Henry Royal Rey (Roany Rey x Mariah Pep), a 4-yearold stallion owned by Lorenzo Colombo. Tying for reserve with a 218 composite was Pietro Tuberga and Katrina Hope Olena (Oaks Lone Pepto x Haida Oleana), a 4-year-old sorrel mare owned by Domenico Sapino.

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Sara Casalini & Gunner On Line

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ERCHA | NRCHA Futurity Nations Cup & Derby

Non Pro Futurity The Non Pro Futurity Championship went to Mario Petrosino on LR Spat Mokie Cat (ANS Mokie Cat x Of Spat), owned by Giuseppe Petrosino, with a 212 composite score. Petrosino, who was thrilled with the win, also took the Level 1 Non Pro Futurity Reserve Championship with a 212.

Matteo Ambrosini Nobili and Custom Spider Dual (Custom Blackberry x Girls Got Duals), owned by Vittorio Ambrosini Nobili, took reserve honors after collecting a total 209.5 composite score.

Giuseppe Petrosino & LR Spat Mokie Cat

Level 1 Non Pro Futurity Edoardo Ferro and Sperk Aristocrat MR, a 4-year-old mare by Tassas Aristocrat out of A Sparkling Vintage, took the Level 1 Non Pro Futurity title with a composite 214.5. Earlier in the evening, the duo had claimed the Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 216.5 score.

German Sophie Kruspe on Sharp Shining Gun (Sharp Dressed Shiner x Love A Little Gunner) was Non Pro Boxing Futurity Reserve Champion with a 204 composite.

Edoardo Ferro & Sperk Aristocrat MR

ERCHA Nations Cup The sixth edition of the exciting competition open to the best bridle horses in Europe was held on Friday evening with five nations competing. With a total score of 646.5, Team Italy rode to the highest step of the podium followed by Team Switzerland with a total of 638.5 points, and Germany with 628.

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ERCHA | NRCHA Futurity Nations Cup & Derby

Bridle Spectacular Swiss Antoine Cloux riding Brigitte Belin’s Wares The Nurse (WR This Cats Smart x Nurseware) took the lead after posting a composite 218 thus claiming the Spectacular Open Bridle and Nations Cup Individual Championships. Sharing the second step of the podium in both divisions were Italian professionals Giovanni Campanaro riding Bet Command Rey (Dual On Command x Dots My Bet) for owner Green Mountain Quarter Horses and Samuele Poli Barberis with Cats Got Freckles (WR This Cats Smart x Playboy Girls) owned by Luca Terzi. Both posted a 217 composite score.

The Limited Open Bridle Spectacular Championship went to France thanks to the composite score of 211 earned by Marine Richard aboard GS Top On Whizard (Sail On Top Wizard x Just a Little Slipper).

Reserve honors went to German rider Patrick Sattler and Justa ShiningSparkle (Sharp Dressed Shiner x Justa Little Slipper) with a total of 211.

Antoine Cloux & Wares The Nurse

Eliane D. Gfeller Seiler rode her CR Rosie The Riveter (Woody Be Tuff x Gipsy Rose Rey) for owner Kathi Gfeller, to the first step of the podium of the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular with a total of 208.5. Vera Walliser on CD Fortunate Son (Stylin Dual x Mamaws Little Pepto) and Marie Mura with Woody Choco Pepto (Dualin For Me x Lolita Nic) shared the Reserve Championship.

ERCHA Derby Open Open to 4- and 5-year-old horses, two riders closed with a 217 composite score in the Derby Open opting for the Co-Championship: Italian Pietro Tuberga with Katrina Hope Olena (Oaks Lone Pepto x Haida Oleana), a 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare owned by Domenico Sapino, and. Italy’s Giovanni Campanaro on Dual Aristocrat MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) for owner Antonio Marmo. The two combinations closed with the same scores in the three competitions (rein work, cow work, fence work).

Line (Shine On Line x Shyawhiz) claimed Reserve honors.

Derby Level 1 Open With a 213.5 composite, Germany’s Martin Schemuth and his TJ Sharp Dressed Man (Sharp Dressed Shiner x JK Gold Pine Dun it) took the lead.

Half a point behind, Sara Casalini and Gunner On

Swiss rider Mariella Pfiffer and Dunit Whiz Smart scored a 205 winning the Derby Non Pro Boxing Championship (Open to 4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses) ahead of young Anna Rodriguez riding Smart Chic And Star (Chuchic x BB Bright My Rose) by half a point.

132 • IHP - 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW •

Derby Non Pro Nicola Succu and Stilysh Sparkle (More Than Stylish x Sailing Sparkle), a 4-year-old stallion bred

by Nicola Sperandio and owned by Alessia Campi, closed with a 213 composite taking both the Derby Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro crowns. Giorgia Girardello and One Time Snapper (Oaks Lone Pepto x Genuinely Snapper) took second place in both divisions with a 206.5 composite.

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𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤

Last year Gabriele Poli spent his summer vacation riding with NRCHA Million Dollar Riders Chris and Sarah Dawson in Perrin, TX. Longtime friends of his parents, Italian Professional Samuele Poli and wife Elisa, Gabriele had the wonderful opportunity of showing Hottish Desires at the NRCHA Snaffle Futurity presented by Metallic Cat.

Photo Primo Morales

Hottish Desires, a stallion owned

by VA Quarter Horses di Ambosini,

134

Photo Primo Morales

Photo 8 Photo Agency

Gabriele Poli Barberis makes history as the youngest European rider to show in the National Reined Cowhorse Association Snaffle Bit Open Futurity in Fort Worth, TX

had been trained by Professional Erin Taormino who had shown him at the NRCHA Pre Futurity. At the end of August last year, the reins passed on to the Dawsons.

“Initially my father had thought of showing the horse himself at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in the U.S., but then since he was going to compete at the [ERCHA] Futurity and Nations Cup in Italy, he decided not to,” shared Gabriele.

“He then came up with the idea of me going over to show and I was

thrilled. ‘Go and have fun,’ he said.

And that’s what I did with the amazing help of the Dawsons.”

Young Gabriele showed in the Open, Limited Open, and Level 1 divisions. “It truly was a great opportunity and a dream come true. The horse isn’t very easy and I didn’t do very well but it truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would repeat in a heartbeat,” said the 17-year-old rider who gave up his non pro status last year. “I’ve known Chris and Sarah since I was a kid, they are really good family friends and, needless to say, they are both great horsemen,” said Gabriele. “I love working with them and have so much fun. I look forward to going back next year after I am done with high school and since my goal is to become a horse trainer, I am looking forward to showing internationally. I have to thank my parents for believing in me and giving me this opportunity and of course the Dawsons for dedicating their precious time and sharing their knowledge with me.” www.internationalhorsepress.com