2019 BO RANCH MATURITY JOURNAL

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COVER STORY

STATE-OF-THE-ART BO RANCH Editor: Simona Diale Graphics: Chiara Milani Photography: Tom Hautmann

SEPTEMBER 10-15, 2019

WELCOMES THE 2019 MATURITY FONCK & SHINERS VOODOO ARE THE CHAMPIONS

BO Ranch, Europe’s newest and most exclusive facility dedicated to showing and breeding reining horses, officially opened its doors to international competition welcoming over 130 horses taking part in the inaugural $55,000added BO Ranch Maturity.

OUR OFFICIALS NRHA Judges Eugenio Latorre, Lara Maiocchi, Markus Morawitz, Franck Perret, Adi Wagner NRHA Bit Judge Julie Quinot Scribes Emeline Cordonnier, Oriane Domont, Christelle Graffeuil, Claire Naumcev, Anne Marie Pareyn NRHA Steward Alessandro Dezzutto

>>> READ MORE ON PAGE 12

BO RANCH OFFICIALLY 'CUTS THE RIBBON'

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aturday night was certainly an emotional evening for Claire and Greg Morat as the doors to the BO Ranch Arena were officially opened!

"A breathtaking, huge and splendid facility," was Ms Valérie Lacroute's comment regarding

Frédéric Valletoux, Mayor of Fointainebleu and President of the Office of Tourism, honored all those present with his presence for the awards ceremony.

Europe's newest reining facility. The French Member of Parliament made her way to La Chapelle-la-Reine for the official ribbon-cutting opening ceremony along with Pascal Gouhoury, the President of the Pays de Fontainebleau (26 cities), the Director of the Office of Tourism of Fontainebleau, Jean-Michel Geneteau, the Mayor of La Chapelle La Reine, Gerard Chanclud.

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FONCK RIDES SHINERS VOODOO TO THE BO RANCH OPEN MATURITY CHAMPIONSHIP Bernard Fonck and Shiners Voodoo left their mark in the Open Maturity Qualifier by marking the highest score.

They kept their lead in the finals and took home the Championship.

T

he $26,000-added Open Maturity qualifier saw NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck take the lead in the Level (L)4 division riding Shiners Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x BR China Rose) for owned Kimberly Wegner. The flashy palomino, who boasts over $55,500 NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), slid Bernard’s wife, Ann, to the 2018 NRHA European L4 Open Derby Championship. Bernard, who has been showing him since the beginning of this year, was quick to praise the beautiful French facility. “Showing here is absolutely incredible,” he said.“Not only is the facility amazing, the organization is great and the ground is awesome.”

Owner, Greg Morat, purchased the ground used at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen, France, with the intent of providing only the best.“When I discovered reining, I was immediately hooked by the feeling and the perfect connection you get when you ride a reining horse. I like the finesse and the technicality it requires, as well as the balance of power you have with the horse. I became so passionate

that I started looking for a high standard facility to train my horses, organize international reining competitions and share my

passion with other people,” he said. “Hosting the first event here is a dream come true and I hope that all riders, owners, breeders and fans will join us and enjoy it as much as I do.”

In the L3 and L2 qualifiers, yet another Belgian rode to the top score: Tiara van Dongen.

With Mr Gun WR San Jo (San Jo Freckles x Smokes Covergirl), owned by Marleen Suttels, between

Bernard Fonck & Shiners Voodoo

the reins, van Dongen rode to a 214.5 score. Taking the lead in the L1 was French Clemence Neveux aboard Frankiegostoholywod (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x CN Missilenium), an 8-year-old gelding owned by Thomas Soutric. The pair are fresh off their NRHA European L1 Open Derby Co-Championship. •

BO RANCH MATURITY IN NUMBERS

6 9 130 470 Clemence Neveux & Frankiegostoholywod

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Tiara van Dongen & Mr Gun WR San Jo

DAYS NATIONS HORSES

ENTRIES

BO RANCH is only a few kilometers away from the famous Fontainebleau Castle, cultural highlights and various outside activities. Beautiful Fontainebleau is a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its castle and exceptional forest. The city is also the headquarters of the famous

Greg Morat and Châteaux Partners representatives relaxing at BO Ranch

“Hosting the first event here is a dream come true and I hope that all riders, owners, breeders and fans are enjoying it as much as I am,” said host Greg Morat. "The result in numbers at this inaugural BO Ranch Maturity is beyond all expectations. My main goal, now and for the future, is to see all of us respect our horses and our sport — in fact I have opened an association named 'Respect the Reining Horse' — I trust that the message we have portrayed here is just that."

Greg Morat, BO RANCH owner

BERNARDELLI AND HEIL TOP THE BO RANCH NON PRO MATURITY QUALIFIER The first go round of the $16,500-added BO Ranch Non Pro division of the Maturity, open to horses 6-years-old and up, lit the beautiful BO Ranch arena. With 38 horses entered (31 in the Level (L)1; 26 in the L2; 16 in the L3; 9 in the L4), all vying for a place in the finals, competition was tough!

O

nce the curtain fell upon the arena— and the sun went down — performing to the highest score of the L4 and L3 divisions (213.5) were two horse-ridercombinations: Whiz Wild West, ridden and owned by Edoardo Bernardelli of Italy, and Johannes Heil of Germany riding his Whizper Lil Gump BB. “My horse is great but I made a couple of mistakes today,” said Bernardelli as he talked about his run with his 6-year-old gelding by Spark N Whiz out of West Coast Oak. “I know I have to work on myself in view of the final so as not to make the same mistakes and I am really looking forward to Sunday. This show is simply fantastic: the location is amazing and the organization is Johannes Heil & Whizper Lil Gump BB

Bo Ranch Maturity Live Stream Audience Analysis, Saturday 14, by Delm Studio here in La Chappelle-la-Reine

international business school called INSEAD, the first one in MBA (Masters of Business Administration). So the area is well set up to welcome international tourists with 900 available rooms in addition to various international restaurants. Most people speak English in the Fontainebleau area.

impeccable.”

Just as happy was Heil, who also rode to the highest score in the L2 and L1 divisions. "I'm very happy about our run today,” he said. “The last time I showed

Edoardo Bernardelli & Whiz Wild West

my horse was at CS Ranch, and after that at home I just kept her in shape loping around. She was maybe a little bit fresh, but from now until the finals we'll have time to work on it. I want to thank my parents first, without them nothing of that could be possible, and my trainers at home Niklas and Grischa Ludwig." Whziper Lil Gump BB is by Little Gump and out of Soft Whizpers. •

Journal 2019 BO RANCH MATURITY

ANCILLARY ACTION

THE BO RANCH MATURITY $10,000-ADDED NRHA OPEN...

ALL ABOUT ANN FONCK It is truly a special year for Ann Fonck: she crossed the NRHA Million Dollar Mark at the NRHA European Affiliate Championship held in Denmark becoming the second lady professional to join the elite group.

Manon Waelbers and Navajos Lil Wimp are the NRHA Rookie Level 1 and Level 2 Champions

Ann Fonck & Spook N Perla

Marianne Schwab and her Einsteins Mega won the NRHA France Rookie Level 1

T Roger Schwab and his own Taris Roostin Rose took the NRHA France Rookie Level 2 win!

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he week prior to the BO Ranch Maturity, Fonck and Diego Dalla Gassa’s Gunners Specialolena, a 5-year-old double registered AQHA/APHA mare by NRHA’s Three Million Dollar Sire Gunners Special Nite out of Dolly Jac Olena, took first place honors at the 2019 AMERICANA €40.000added NRHA Open.

In La-Chapelle-la Reine the talented Belgian professional rode

two of her favorite 2019 horses to both first and second place honors. With Spook N Perla (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Shine On Ruff) owned by Golden Paint Ranch, Ann performed to a 223 for the lead.

She also conquered the second step of the podium riding Sabine Lisec and Chuck Klipel’s Made In Walla (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Hollyood Made) with a 221 score. “I truly love both these horses, and they’ve both given me so much

Ann Fonck & Made In Walla

Journal so far,” she said. “Once again they were so good for me today and I must say that I am extremely lucky to be able to ride wonderful horses, have great horse owners, and be able to work with my husband, who gives me the opportunity to do what I love doing. I would like to thank Greg and Claire Morat for everything they have done to make this place exceptional: great organization,‘wow’ ground and a super place for our horses to be.”•

MORE ANCILLARY ACTION

Simona Diale and Chiara Milani International Horse Press

Quentin Galliere of France rode Margarita Whiz owned by Ines Fournois to win the NRHA France Open with a 209

Palden Allon Schooneman rode Checkmybarbiesturbo, owned by Fam Ortgiess, to win both the NRHA Intermediate and Open with a 216 score.

Bruce Lawrence and Spook Attack, owned by Tina Lawrence took the NRHA France win with a 209.

BO Ranch hosts, Claire and Greg Morat, laid out a perfect stage for all!

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NRHA & NRHA FRANCE NON PRO ANCILLARY ACTION

2019 BO RANCH Maturity NRHA and NRHA France Non Pro Champions, Clothilde Alboud riding A Chick In Hollywood!

2019 BO RANCH Maturity NRHA and NRHA France Intermediate Non Pro Champions, Alexandre Giarratano and TM Spartaco

2019 BO Ranch Maturity NRHA Limited Non Pro Champions Koen Symoens and Spook Light

2019 BO Ranch Maturity NRHA France Limited Non Pro Champions Grégory Morat riding Whizdom Shines

if you can dream it, you can do it.

quarterdream.com

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THE OPEN & NON PRO PRE FUTURITY Riders at BO Ranch had the chance to show their 3- and 4-year-old horses in the $1,200-added Level 4 and Level 2 Open and in the $800-added Level 4 and Level 2 Non Pro Pre Futurity on great ground!

2019 BO RANCH Prefuturity L4 Open Co-Champions, Cira Baeck and Lil Voodoo Chic RD, owned by Ruediger Diedenhofen!

Johannes Heil riding his VH Electric Love are the 2019 BO Ranch Prefuturity L2 Non Pro Champions!

Here is the 2019 BO RANCH Prefuturity L2 Open Champions and L4 Co-Champions, Palden Allon Schooneman riding KB Shiny Lil Wimp, owned by Manon Waelbers. The duo scored 214 to top both Levels!

Thierry Ollivier and CDS Turner Thepirate are the 2019 BO Ranch Prefuturity L4 Non Pro Champions!

THE MAGICAL BO RANCH TOTEM Local talent, wood carver Julien Colboc, left his mark on the custommade BO Ranch totem marking the entrance of the restaurant. The owl represents the night; the fox, the day and the bear, family. We certainly all felt at home.

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Cira Baeck

Jayden Feichter

Axel Pesek

Bernard Fonck

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Clémence Neveux

Bastien Bourgeois

THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL

RYAN’S FARM PONIES WWW.BO-RANCH.COM

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FONCK RIDES SHINERS VOODOO TO THE BO RANCH OPEN MATURITY CHAMPIONSHIP

Bernard Fonck & Shiners Voodoo

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Journal COVER STORY

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he duo made up of NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck

and Shiners Voodoo took the lead in the qualifying go round of the $26,000-added BO Ranch Level (L)4 Open Maturity. Draw #1 in the

second section of the Finals, the pair performed to a 224.5 and their score held until the end which secured them the title. The 6-year-old stallion by Shiners Voodoo DR out of BR China Rose, owned

by Kimberly Wegner, added the Open Maturity Championship to his accolades and $55,500 NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE). “I started riding this horse at the beginning of this year as my wife, Ann, had three open horses to show so she passed the reins to me,” said the Belgian professional. “He’s a really powerful horse with a lot of talent and I like him a lot. He did good for me here from day one and I must say that the facility and organization here made it great for us to show.”

Taking the L3 and L2 Open Maturity titles as well as the L4 Open Reserve Championship was Bastien Bourgeois of France. Riding ARH Trashy Surprise for owner Manuela Masson on home turf, he scored a 222.5. “I am really happy with our performance tonight,” he said about the 6-yearold stallion sired by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of ARC Lena Surprise. “I’ve had this great horse since he was a yearling and I broke and trained him. He is very athletic and talented, but we’ve never actually made it to the top step of the podium together so this championship really means a lot to me. What makes this win even more special is having Axel [Pesek], who I coached as a non pro, taking home great results here tonight as well.”

Axel Pesek, who represented his country, France, at the past FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon, showed his team mate Uncle Sparky to win the L1 Open Championship as well as the L3 and L2 Reserve Championship. The 9-year-old stallion, owned by owned by Yannick Pesek, is sired by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark out of Cats Okey Dokey. “We entered the four levels here because we knew he was ready— mentally and physically — for this event,” said the 19-year-old. “He proved us right both in the go round and in the finals tonight. He’s always with me, we know each other inside out and it’s almost as if we were one entity! I will always be grateful to him because he has made me who I am today and gave me the courage to give up my non pro status. I know that we will do a lot more together and I really look forward to showing his offspring in the futurities next year.”

Bastien Bourgeois & ARH Trashy Surprise

Axel Pesek & Uncle Sparky

Taking the L1 Open Reserve Championship was Clémence Neveux, also of France, riding her 2019 NRHA European L1 Open Co-Reserve Champion Frankiegoestoholywod. The 8-year-old gelding sired

by NRHA Two Million Dollar Hollywoodtinseltown out of CN Misselnium is owned by Thomas Soutric. The duo made the finals in all four levels and closed their run with a 219.5. •

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Journal COVER STORY

THE BO RANCH NON PRO MATURITY IS A THRILL! With a review following the last horse in the second section of the BO Ranch Non Pro Maturity, it was uncertain who would take home the coveted title of the inaugural event.

Once the judges gave their final verdict, it was determined that the two riders would make it in the top of the rankings: Edoardo Bernardelli and Dries Verschueren.

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ernardelli sealed the deal with a 217.5 scored with his Whiz Wild West between the reins. The duo left the beautiful BO Ranch facility with both the Level (L)4 and L3 titles to their name. Verschueren and Smart N Sparkin rode to the L2 and L1 titles as well as the Reserve Championship in both the L4 and L3.

Whiz Wild West, a 9-year-old stallion by Spark N Whiz out of West Coast Oak, owned by Edoardo, has left his mark in the arena many a time both with NRHA Professional Guglielmo Fontana in the saddle as well as with his owner. The latter are fresh off their win at the past edition of the NRHA European Derby where they tied for the L4 Non Pro Championship.

“I’ve been riding this horse for the last year and a half,” said the Italian rider about his horse aka ‘Mosé’.“It took us a while to get to know each other and now I finally feel that we have clicked. At the end of the day I guess I should have tried harder to undertsand him and not vice-versa.”

Bernardelli was quick to thank BO Ranch owners, Greg and Claire Morat having invested so much in the beautiful facility and for the great organization.” The two closed their performance with a 217.5, only one half point in front of Belgian Verschueren and his 11-year-old stallion

by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Chic Olena out of Setting Off Sparks.

“I could not be any happier with how our career together has evolved,” said Verschueren. “This horse had done so much with [NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider]

Bernard Fonck in the saddle and when I took over the reins, the expectations were high but we worked hard bringing home many a title including, in 2018, the Team Silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon. This year has been just as successful, including another NRHA European Affiliate Championship title. He is such a steady, talented and consistent horse and I am such a proud owner!”

In the first go round of the $16,500added BO Ranch Non Pro division of the Maturity — open to horses 6-years-old and up — young Johannes Heil of Germany had performed to the highest score in the L2 and L1 divisions riding his 10-year-old mare Whziper Lil Gump BB (Little Gump x Soft Whizpers). They scored a 215.5 in the finals taking reserve honors in both the divisions. •

Edoardo Bernardelli & Whiz Wild West

BEST GROOM AWARD

We all want our horses to look great and the jury during the BO RANCH Maturity had a tough time determining who the winner was. Once the final decision was made, the Stefano Ferri Performance Horses horses Best Groom Award went to Sabine Schmid who also received a Bo Ranch Maturity Platinum Sponsor Chateaux Partners Champagne and a one year banner on www.internationalhorsepress.com

Dries Verschueren & Smart N Sparkin

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