2022 NRHA European Futurity To be held at BO Ranch with New Entry Fee Format

Friday, March 4, 2022—The 2022 NRHA European Futurity, originally slated to be held in Wels, Austria, changed location following the premature passing of organizer Otto Ziehfreund. Owners Grégory and Claire Morat of BO Ranch located in La Chapelle-la-Reine, France, in the heart of France’s horse country, graciously offered their beautiful facility as host to this year’s edition on May 23-29.

The $329,514-Added (subject to change in nominations) 2022 NRHA European Futurity—supported by NRHA Corporate Partners Markel Insurance and Cardinal Reining Horses—will be held for the first time in France and will feature a new entry format proposed and approved by the NRHA European Executive Board:

• One entry fee for the Level (L)1 with the Nomination Program L1 purse + L1 total entry fees going to the purse
• One entry fee for the Levels 2-3-4 with the Nomination Purse split as usual and with the entry fees split as follows: 20% to the L2; 30% to the L3; 50% to the L4 divisions
• Should an L1 rider decide to enter the Levels 2-3-4, he/she will have to pay the L1 and L2-3-4 entry fees and only one judges fee

NRHA Board and Executive Committee Member, Paulus Beurskens, who is also on the European Executive Board, explains why and how this decision was made.

“The European Executive Board had voted to implement one entry fee [L1-2-3-4] as we believe this will attract more people, boost the purse, and use the same criterion as the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma. It puts everybody in a position to compete for the total purse so that more horses and riders are in a position to compete in the highest level of the finals. Following discussions, we then decided to move to the two-entry format that will be implemented at the 2022 NRHA European Futurity. We believe that the L1 riders do not have a lot of experience in Aged Events—thus making it a big step for the L1 riders to take by entering and showing at Aged Events such as the Euro Futurity since these riders have less than $15,000 NRHA Lifetime Earnings [LTE].

“This format will give the L1 riders an opportunity to show in their division without necessarily entering all levels, even though they do have the opportunity to do so if they wish. Level 2, 3, and 4 riders will have already competed in aged events, and many will have been in higher levels than perhaps this year with the factoring back allowing them to be in Level 2 having shown in the past in higher levels.

“We firmly believe this format will attract Level 2, 3, and 4 riders to run for the whole purse with the best horses and riders winning the event. Level 2 and 3 riders will have the possibility to win money in the higher divisions, as well as the division they are eligible for. Levels 4 and Level 3 riders cannot win Level 2 money and Level 4 riders can only win money in their division. We believe that this will not hurt the L2 riders and will give a better opportunity to L1 riders.”

Organized by the expert BO Ranch team, the state-of-the-art ranch offers the best facilities to accommodate and welcome international horses and riders. Founder and owner, Grégory Morat, is a keen non pro rider and CEO of four enterprises. A motorsports enthusiast who has always loved horses and nature, he discovered and fell in love with reining ten years ago and created the ranch with care to all detail in order to cultivate his passion.

“BO RANCH has been host to reining shows since 2019 and is a great natural place to host international reining competitions thanks to the functional structure of the venue and its strategic location in Fontainebleau, next to Paris,” says Morat who brought in the reining ground from the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen. “Home of many equestrian Olympic champions, the area organizes several international equestrian events and we are proud to be hosting the 16th edition of the NRHA Euro Futurity. I hope you will support us and that together we can further promote our sport on an international level.”

Tentative Schedule:

Horses arriving on Sunday, May 22

Tuesday, May 24: Pay time

Wednesday, May 25: Pay time

Thursday, May 26: NRHA Euro Futurity Open Go Round

Friday, May 27: NRHA Euro Futurity Non Pro Go Round (NRHA Open Ancillary Classes follow)

Saturday, May 28 (evening): Open Finals (Non Pro Ancillary Classes during day)

Sunday, May 29 (early afternoon): Non Pro Finals (NRHA Youth Ancillary classes in the morning)

Find sponsorship opportunities, further details, and updates at NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com

 

NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com