Barbagli and Gunnabeagreatdude Top the First Million Dollar Added MS Diamonds TX NRHA European Futurity Open

Excitement filled the air on Saturday night as the $700,000-Added MS Diamonds TX NRHA European Futurity Open Finals took place at CremonaFiere, home of the the international Salone del Cavallo Americano horse fair.

Cremona, May 30 — The first European million dollar added event took place in Cremona, Italy, attracting 179 horse-rider combinations from 12 countries entered across the four levels of the Open and Non Pro divisions in the 16th edition of the NRHA European Futurity.

Level 4

On Saturday night in front of a full house, and with a 225.5 posted by Manuel Cortesi earlier in the draw to beat, Francesco Barbagli and Gunnabeagreatdude stormed into the oval arena. Not only did they nail their first stop and back required by NRHA pattern #10, they also performed a hand-down, slack in the reins, precise run conquering the public in the stands. Their 226 score topped the leaderboard securing the $420.000-Added Level (L)4 Open Championship, a $75,154 pay check, and the MS Diamonds TX Championship ring.

Francesco Barbagli & Gunnabeagreatdude

“I don’t know what to say and I won’t hide the fact that I shed a tear or two after realizing I had won,” said the Italian Professional. “This horse’s talent is simply incredible; he performs all the maneuvers so naturally and is so honest. The trust I have in him is what made us me risk it all and win tonight. Though I am thrilled for the horse, his owner, and myself, I still don’t believe it!”

The flashy Società Agricola Le Fattorie di Matilde bred sorrel stallion by ARC Gunnabeabigstar and out of Great Dudes Whiz is owned by Alessio Fraboschi and was nominated by Vittorio Rabboni.

Adding the Reserve Championship to his accolades was 2023 European Futurity Open Champion Manuel Cortesi this time riding Frozen Sven (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Ladymaster) for owners Arcese/Cuoghi. Impresa Agricola Cuoghi bred and nominated the athletic stallion who boasts the IRHA Open Futurity Reserve title as well as the NRHA Germany Breeders 3-year-old L4 Open Futurity Championship with Cortesi in the saddle. The duo added $62,170 to their lifetime earnings (LTE).

Manuel Cortesi & Frozen Sven

Level 3

In the first section of the Open Finals, Italy’s Giuseppe Prevosti piloted Top Whiz Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x So Whiz Up) to a 224.5. Their score held earning them the $140.000-Added L3 Championship and a $30,925 check.

Giuseppe Prevosti & Top Whiz Shine

“This horse was bred and broke by his owner,” said Prevosti about the stallion owned and nominated by Tullio Mascarello. “I rode his mother, who I showed throughout her long career, and when I got him in training I liked him immediately; I showed him at the pre futurities but at the IRHA Futurity we were a little unlucky and didn’t make the finals. In the qualifier here we got a freeze up penalty [which is the reason we didn’t make the level 4 finals so this win gave us the opportunity to show everyone what a good horse he is. I am so happy things turned out this way.”

L3 go round leaders, Stefano Cerutti of Italy and Questionably Frozen (SG Frozen Enterprize x Unquestionably Crome), settled for Reserve honors after performing to a 220. The stallion, an NRHA/Markel Futurity Sale graduate, owned by Stefano Scotti and nominated by Lorenzo Lotti took home a $22,960 pay check.

Level 2

Patrick Goeschl of Germany and Yell Low Stone (Tarysmart x Whiz Jackie) closed their run with a 218.5 to claim the $91.000-Added L2 Championship and $18,240. The stallion is owned by Geraldine Grafen and was nominated by Helmut Schulz.

Patrick Goeschl & Yell Low Stone

“I have no words, it was just awesome,” said NRHA Million Dollar Rider Grischa Ludwig’s assistant about his run. “It felt really good; we had awesome stops and even though we over-spun both ways, we circled well and I felt pretty comfortable during the run. I trusted him going in and it worked out. Now he is going to get a short break and then we will continue with the futurity season.”

Sebastiano Valtorta claimed second place honors scoring a 218 aboard AC Not Ruf My Whiz (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Not Ruf At All x Gotta Shiney Remedy), a stallion owned by Giovanni Cioli and nominated by Alessandro Cazzaniga. The pair pocketed $13,528.

Level 1

Opting for the Co-Championship in the $49.000-Added L1 division after scoring a 214.5 were Italy’s Steven Della Casa and French Kevin Paquet. They both added $6,766 to their LTE.

Della Casa rode the Allevamento Cisal QH Srl owned and nominated gelding, Lenas Frozen Gun (Hollywood Gun Dunnit x Frozen Sparn). “I’m really happy with this title,” he said hot off his win. “This is my third special event and I truly want to thank all the Cisal team and owner Mario Erbetta for giving me this opportunity and for all their support. I broke and trained this horse and have had him since he was a 2-year-old so this makes this win even sweeter.”

Della Casa & Lenas Frozen Gun

Kevin Paquet rode ND Step N Crome (Walla Whiz Crome x Dun Step N Out), a flashy palomino mare owned by Birgit Schaefer and nominated by Nathalie Derua. “I’m really happy about tonight for more reasons than one: It’s my first time here, I’m riding the first 4-year-old I made myself, and she was there for with me all the way,” said Paquet who purchased her as a 2-year-old from Derua and has had her in training since. “As a 3-year-old she had an injury which kept her out of the futurities so she took a rest during the winter and this is the second show for her. She’s a really good minded and cool horse, gifted, and fun to ride. My wife will show her in the Non Pro Austrian Futurity and I will show her both in the German Breeders Futurity and in Italy.”

Kevin Paquet & ND Step N Crome

NRHA European Futurity L4 Open APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Champions

France’s Arnaud Girinon and QQ Merlin Whizard (Colonels Shining Gun x Whiz a Blue) scored a 221.5 in the qualifier and was the only APHA registered horse in the Level 4 Open finals making him the $1,250-added NRHA European Futurity L4 Open American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Incentive Champion. The stallion, owned by Sabatino QH Srl, was nominated by Chiara Colombi. “I am a little disappointed about the finals where things didn’t go as planed but was really happy with him in the go round. This was our first show together and now I know how to prepare him better next time. Hopefully the future will bring some better runs since we know what to work on now,” said Girinon.

Arnaud Girinon & QQ Merlin Whizard

The 2025 edition of the NRHA European Futurity will be held during the Salone del Cavallo Americano in Cremona, Italy, offering $1,000,000 added money. The added includes the NRHA Nomination Program purse and the contribution of the IRHA Corporate Partners and European Purse Supporters.

Photos: Bonaga Communication
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Zehetbauer and SS Pretty Nifty Add Another Win to Their Collection at the Inaugural Million Dollar Added NRHA European Futurity

Cremona, May 24 — Friday night saw the 16^th edition of the NRHA European Futurity crown its first Champions in the $300,000-Added De Niro Boot Co Non Pro Finals. No stranger to the winner’s circle with the 2023 Austrian Futurity, Breeders Germany Futurity, and IRHA Non Pro Futurity Championships under their belt, Anna-Maria Zehetbauer and SS Pretty Nifty showed the audience what reining is about when they took the $144,000-Added Level (L)4 Non Pro Championship scoring an impressive 221!

Anna-Maria Zehetbauer & SS Pretty Nifty

Zehetbauer was determined to repeat her success from the qualifier; when she stepped in the arena, the crowd knew this was the run to watch. Bringing a whole new level of difficulty and precision the 18-year-old Austrian rider and her mount performed a breath-taking pattern that was awarded a well-deserved score that far surpassed the preceding runs. Zehetbauer’s ride, a mare by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of Custom Nifty Nic is owned by Zeidelhof Reining Horses and was nominated by Richard Zeidelhof after being purchased at the NRHA Markel Futurity Sale in 2021.

“I feel so happy and overwhelmed,” said Zehetbauer fresh off her win. “This mare gave me so much already, and now another Championship; it is really unbelievable. I pushed her a little more than in the qualifier because she felt so good and I was confident that I could do it. She felt even better in the stops today, but it doesn’t matter to her if it is a go round or a final, she is always great. I trained her myself. I got help from Lukasz Czechowicz and now ride with Arnaud Girinon, but I keep her at home and like to prepare her myself. Plans are now to give her a couple of weeks off and then start to work toward the 100X Stakes at BO Ranch in France.”

Three Italian riders shared the Co-Reserve Championship in L4 with a 213 score: Valentina Monti and her stallion Smokey The Bandit (Dunnit Like A Master x Smokin Sailor Jazzy) nominated by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, past Euro Futurity Non Pro Champion Carlo Ambrosini aboard his stallion Spookstep (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x Spooks O Lena), owned and nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses ASD, and yet another past Euro Futurity Non Pro Champion Manuel Bonzano with Shining Guns N Roses (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Roses for Einstein), a mare owned and nominated by 23 Quarter Horses Srl.

Valentina Monti & Smokey The Bandit

Carlo Ambrosini & Spookstep

Manuel Bonzano & Shining Guns N Roses

It was a successful show for 21-year-old Francesca Ferrarol of Italy who claimed both the $84,000-Added L3 and the $45,000-Added L2 Championships with a score of 212. Ferrarol showed her homebred mare Let Me Be Your Wimpy, owned and nominated by her father Maurizio Ferrarol. The bay mare had big shoes to fill as she is by Wimpy Margarita, Ferrarol’s ride to the 2019 and 2020 Euro Derby Championships, and out of Let Dry Peppy. “I really have no words and honestly had no expectations. She is a home-bred mare, a piece of my heart, and I rode and showed both her mom and her dad. I only decided three weeks ago to show her here so making the finals was a big goal. She was great tonight and I am the happiest girl in the world right now.”  Ferrarol was proud of the work she did with her mare. “Last year, I had her in training for a few months with Sebastiano [Valtorta], whom I would like to thank very much. The rest I did all on my own which makes this win even more special. I also feel very blessed to have my family behind me. They always support me and encourage me, so I am very thankful for that,” said the humbled Champion.

Francesca Ferrarol & Let Me Be Your Wimpy

Reserve honors in L3 went to Swiss rider Adrienne Speidel, who showed her own gelding Colonel Einstein (Colonels Shining Gun x Kaysolve) nominated by Fabian Strebel.

The duo who led the L3 in the qualifier closed their run tonight with a 211.

Italy’s Matilde Mazzanti was very excited about her run in the first section of the finals. When a 210 score was announced, Mazzanti left the pen with a wide smile on her face. Her smile lasted all the way through section 2 when she learned she had won the $27,000-Added L1 Championship as well as the L2 Reserve Championship. The talented 16-year-old rider made the finals with her four-legged partner Okie Done Surprise (Okie Dun Badger x Ares Cody Glo), a gelding nominated by Dario Carmignani.

Matilde Mazzanti & Okie Done Surprise

“I’ve been riding this horse since February 2023, and at the beginning we struggled a bit to click,” said Mazzanti about her horse. “Thanks to my trainer Emanuela Modestino we had a really good journey together all the way here.” Matilde admitted that she was a bit stressed before the finals because she really wanted to win, but as soon as she entered the arena, she decided to do the best she could, and at the end  had a lot of fun!

Two riders split the L1 Reserve Championship after scoring a 209 for their run: Italian Annalisa Solbati riding SM Magicice Valentin (ARC Magic Enterprise x Iceinside), a mare owned and nominated by Massimo Solbiati, and Chiara Faccincani, also from Italy, riding her own mare CF Cricket Gottawhiz (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x RS Spat O Ban) nominated by Il Colle Del Falco.

APHA Chrome Cash Incentive

NRHA Alliance Partner American Paint Horse Association (APHA) once again offered their APHA Chrome Cash Incentive for the L4 Non Pro competitors showing their Paint Horses in the NRHA European Futurity. Francesca Sternberg of Great Britain topped the division aboard her homebred mare My Kinda Shine (Colonels Shining Gun x See My Way) in the qualifier. “This mare is really green so we just brought her here for the experience as she has not been shown much before. She was quite looky in the arena, but she went around and did her job, so I am proud of her. I bred her and I bred her dam, so this is a third generation of our show horses,” said Sternberg after her run and thanked the APHA for adding the division to the competition. “I am very greatful to APHA. Chrome Cash is a fantastic incentive and I think once people in Europe work out how it functions, it is going to be a huge uptake. It is a really good program and I am proud to show a Paint!

Ancillary action

Francesco Pedretti of Italy performed a strong run aboard Domenico Giannitti’s stallion GD Peptos Olena Blue (Spat A Blue x Miss Peptos Jacky) scoring a 219 to secure top honors in the Quarter Dream NRHA Open.

Winning the Quarter Dream NRHA Intermediate Open with a 217 was Jeremy Ropert of France taking the lead aboard Anna Ciechanska’s mare CSG Blossomsailon (Colonels Shining Gun x Hp Pebbles Sail On).

Italy’s Chiara Emilie Pinazzi and FB Topsail Sparkya (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Topsail Del Cielo), owned by Guido Gandelli, scored 212.5 to win the Quarter Dream NRHA Limited Open.

Winning the $1,250-added APHA Open Chrome Cash Incentive was Jeremy Ropert riding Alain Ropert’s mare Chexout My Jolyjojo (Colonels Shining Gun x Misty Chex To Cash).

Francesca Giulia Sobati of Italy entered the Arcese NRHA Youth 14-18 aboard Massimo Sobati’s mare SM Five B Ice (Chic Magnetic x Iceinside). The duo performed a steady run with strong circles and deep stops that earned them a solid 214 score to top the class.

Saturday will include NRHA Non Pro ancillary action — also featuring the 2025 World Reining qualifier and APHA Amateur Chrome Cash incentive classes — will conclude with the much anticipated $700,000-added NRHA European Futurity Open Finals.

Photos Bonaga Communication

For further information, live stream and live score: NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com

For ticketing information: SALONEDELCAVALLO.com

Media Contact: Simona Diale / International Horse Press

Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629

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Finalists Determined in Cremona for the Inaugural Million Dollar Added NRHA European Futurity

Cremona, May 23 — Day two of the 16th edition of the NRHA European Futurity, held during the international horse fair Salone del Cavallo Americano, saw 88 riders competing in the second section of the MS Diamonds TX Open qualifier. Open to 4-year-old horses enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, this year’s event marks the first time the added money in a European reining event hits the $1.000.000 mark.

128 horse-rider combinations entered the CremonaFiere arena vying for a spot in the $206,199-Added MS Diamonds TX Open Finals which will be held on Saturday, May 25. The top 20 scores plus ties in the Level (L) 2, 3 and 4, plus the top 15 in L1 qualified for the Finals. The day in the city of violins closed with the Draw Party presented by Cuore Cavalli where the order of go for both the Open and Non Pro divisions was determined.

Italian Manuel Cortesi piloted Frozen Sven to an impressive score of 222 to top the $103,099-Added L4 division. The 4-year-old stallion by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize out of Ladymaster is co-owned by Cuoghi-Arcese and was nominated by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi. “My run was pretty good today,” shared Cortesi who reined the powerful stallion to the IRHA Futurity Open Reserve Championship as well as the German Breeders Futurity last year. “My horse listened to me right from the beginning and I am happy about how he showed. It will be different in the finals, because there is always more pressure; you have to go faster, focus more on every step, and everything becomes harder. Sometimes, when you push more, you get less, so it is not always the best approach. I don’t have a special plan for the finals but for sure we have to try harder and run. He’s pretty seasoned from last year, and it’s been some time since the last show, but this first run here was good, so we will take it from there and see what happens in the finals.”

Manuel Cortesi & Frozen Sven

Closing the qualifier was Stefano Cerutti of Italy who rode his mount Questionably Frozen (SG Frozen Enterprize x Unquestionably Crome) to a strong 220.5 leading the $51,549-Added L3 division. The stallion is owned by Stefano Scotti and was nominated by Lorenzo Lotti.

Stefano Cerutti & Questionably Frozen

Dutch Petra van Ede and Arjan van de Watering’s owned and nominated stallion Epic Star (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Spooks Fancy Diamond) performed to a 218 to lead the $36,084-Added L2 division. The $15,464-Added L1 saw a two-way tie for the lead with two Italian riders sharing a 214 score: Matteo di Giamberardino riding H Mercy Affair (Mercedes Rooster x A Trashy Affair), a mare owned by Giuseppe Muzi and nominated by Wolfgang Hammer; and Steven della Casa aboard Lenas Frozen Gun (Hollywood Gun Dunnit x Frozen Sparn), a gelding owned and nominated by Cisal QH.

Petra van Ede & Epic Star

Matteo di Giamberardino & Mercy Affair

Steven della Casa & Lenas Frozen Gun

French rider Arnaud Girinon was on the top of the leaderboard with a 221.5 most of the day with Sabatino QH Srl’s entry QQ Merlin Whizard (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Whiz a Blue). The duo lost the lead in the L4 but walked out topping the L4 European Futurity Open APHA Chrome Cash Incentive go round. The stallion was nominated by Chiara Colombi.

Arnaud Girinon & QQ Merlin Whizard

The numbers

L4 entries – 46

L3 entries – 42

L2 entries – 47

L1 entries – 28

Friday action will feature the NRHA Youth and Open ancillary classes held concurrent with the 2025 World Reining qualifiers followed by the $88,371-Added NRHA European Futurity Non Pro Finals.

Photos Bonaga Communication

For further information, live stream and live score: NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com

Media Contact: Simona Diale / International Horse Press

Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629

Email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

CremonaFiere Sets the Stage for the Inaugural Million Dollar Added NRHA European Futurity

Cremona, May 20 — Provided by Simona Diale — The stage is set for the history-making edition of the NRHA European Futurity this year where Italy will reach yet another milestone by offering the first million dollar added event in Europe.

Open to 4-year-old horses enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, the first European Futurity was held in Kreuth, Germany, in 2009. In a joint effort with European affiliates, NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Eleuterio Arcese made both the show and the nomination program happen. Sixteen years later, thanks to Arcese’s vision and determination, a pool of sponsors in Italy along with European purse supporters made the million dollar added event — which includes the Nomination Program money — happen in Cremona during the 37^th edition of the international horse fair Salone del Cavallo Americano.

Non Pro qualifier

51 horse-rider combinations competed in the De Niro Boot Co Non Pro qualifier to earn a spot in the De Niro Boot Co Non Pro finals that will take place on Friday. It was the young talented rider of Austria, Anna-Maria Zehetbauer, who rose to the top of the leader board with the Zeidelhof Reining Horses‘ mare SS Pretty Nifty (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Custom Nifty Nic). The duo scored 219 to lead the field of 31 entries. SS Pretty Nifty is a NRHA Markel Futurity Sale graduate and was nominated by Richard Zeidelhof.

Anna-Maria Zehetbauer & SS Pretty Nifty

“I am really happy with my mare, she is just amazing. I showed her in all three [3-year-old] futurities last year – Austrian Futurity, German Futurity, Italian Futurity – and we won all L4 Non Pro Championships!” Said the proud rider and continued, “now we made the L4 finals here with a 219, so I am very pleased with her and cannot wait to show her in the finals. I will try to have a clean run on Friday and not go crazy, but we will try to push a little bit more. But regardless of what happens, I am really happy with the run we had today.”

L3 qualifier also consisted of 31 entries and it was the renowned rider of Switzerland, Adrienne Speidel, who took the lead aboard her own Colonel Einstein (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Kaysolve), nominated by Fabian Strebel. Speidel and her gelding scored 214 for the lead.

Adrienne Speidel & Colonel Einstein

Two riders walked out of the pen with a score of 213.5 to top the L2 Non Pro qualifier. Matt Legrand, a youth rider of France, riding GB Malibu Gunrise (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x LC Electric Lady), owned and nominated by Gregory Legrand, shared the lead with Italian Cecilia Frediani and her own Shes A Spark (Spark N Whiz x Shes A Lil Showgirl). Frediani‘s mare was nominated by Edoardo Bernardelli. The two riders topped the largest class of 32 entries.

Matt Legrand & GB Malibu Gunrise

Cecilia Frediani & Shes A Spark

L1 qualifier saw 16 entries among which Annalisa Solbiati of Italy performed the best run on her home turf scoring 212.5 with SM Magicice Valentin (ARC Magic Enterprise x Iceinside), owned and nominated by Massimo Solbiati.

Annalisa Solbiati & SM Magicice Valentin

Last to walk out as a leader of the Non Pro qualifier was UK’s Francesca Sternberg, who topped the L4 Non Pro American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Incentive go round. Sternberg rode her own and nominated mare My Kinda Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x See My Way) to a score of 201.

Francesca Sternberg & My Kinda Shine

L4 entries – 31
L3 entries – 31
L2 entries – 32
L1 entries – 16

Open qualifier

Currently leading in the first section of the European Futurity MS Diamonds TX L4 Open qualifier is the NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck of Belgium with Katharina Mayer’s entry Single Malt Xo (NRHA Million Dollar Sire In Like Flinn x Gunners Doll), a gelding nominated by Fabien Boiron. The duo scored 220.5 to lead the qualifier.

Ann Fonck & Single Malt Xo

Italian Giuseppe Prevosti rode Gunnabeafox (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Thelastmissolenashow) owned and nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses ASD to a score of 218 to top the L3 Open qualifier.

215 was the score to lead the L2 Open qualifier, which was reached by two Italian riders. First to hold the score was Sebastiano Valtorta riding AR Gotta Valentine (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Arc Shinin Valentine) owned by AR Breeding Horses and nominated by Elisabetta Raviola. To tie Valtorta, Matteo Vedovato rode Hittin The Brakes (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Wimpys Lil Diva), owned by Maurizio Furlan and nominated by Karin Machalek.

French Mathis Muller and Lars Nordin’s owned and nominated mare Wrangler Wish A Wave (What A Wave x Wrangler Wishes) topped the L1 Open qualifier with a score of 211.5.

Italian Pierluigi Fabri rode Igor Rozman’s owned and nominated stallion Infernos Cocktail (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six x Robys Neadsacocktail) to lead the L4 Open APHA Chrome Cash Incentive go round with a 214.5 score.

The second section of the Open qualifier will take place on Thursday.

CremonaFiere doors opened on Monday to European reiners from 12 nations. With competition starting today featuring the NRHA European Futurity Non Pro qualifier, the following three days will include the European Futurity Open qualifier, NRHA ancillary classes, the first World Reining Championship qualifiers for riders vying for a spot on the Italian teams, and once again NRHA Alliance Partner American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash will feature $5,000 in added money just for Paints in the NRHA European Futurity L4 Open and Non Pro divisions as well as the Open and Amateur Category 4 classes will each offer $1,250 each.

Photos Bonaga Communication

For further information: NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
For ticketing and entry to fairgrounds: SALONEDELCAVALLO.com

Media Contact: Simona Diale / International Horse Press
Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629
Email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

The 2024 NRHA European Futurity offers the first NRHA Million Dollar Competition in Europe!

History will be made in Cremona, Italy, where the National Reining Horse Association European Futurity will be the first event in Europe to guarantee $1 million in added money. Held during the Salone del Cavallo Americano on May 22–26, the event is supported by NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Eleuterio Arcese in collaboration with the Italian Reining Horse Association, TFY, a select group of supporters, and the NRHA Nomination Program money. This event will be the first of its kind for Europe and create incredible opportunities for riders, breeders, owners, and fans.

Open to 4-year-old horses entered in the NRHA European Nomination Program, the first edition of the NRHA European Futurity was held in Kreuth, Germany, in 2009. At the time, the idea of offering a European Futurity was strongly desired by Arcese. “I always felt that hosting a big Futurity on the Old Continent was imperative. The 16th edition is coming up, and it needs to be special,” says Arcese. “The international reining stage today aspires to hosting big shows with large purses, and we must follow this trend, in particular in Italy, the country that through the years has made European reining grow. At the end of the show season last year, my goal was to put together a pool of sponsors that would allow us to offer $1 million Euro Futurity. They came on board, and now the dream has come true.” Making Arcese even prouder is the fact that the 2024 IRHA/IRHBA Derby and Futurity have increased the added money — the first to $305,000 and the second to $800,000 — bringing the total added money in the three shows to $2,100,000.”

Arcese’s goal was also to bring together European purse supporters willing to sponsor the Euro Futurity over five years with all the money going to the purse. Mission accomplished. The following have undersigned with the 2024 event: NRHA Belgium, Roleski Ranch, NRHA Germany, Sabine Schmid, CS Ranch Management, 7 Heaven Reining Horses, BO Ranch, De Ceuster, AK Quarter Horses, AM Rising Star Ranch, Galaxy Quarter Horses, Midpoint Ranch, Rosanne Sternberg, Adrienne Speidel, Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, Francesca Sternberg, NRHA France, Bouwmeester Reining Horses, NRHA Denmark, NRHA Sweden.

“This is our European Futurity and it is important that everyone invests in our event, no matter in which country the event is held. Hats off, and thank you to all those that joined forces,” he added. “As we look forward to welcoming all the participants to CremonaFiere, I ask that all riders prepare their mounts with extreme care, always respecting the horse and the sport. A big thank you to NRHA for always being by our side and trusting us.”

APHA Chrome Cash brings $5,000 boost to Paint Reiners

Once again, NRHA Alliance Partner American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash is coming back to the 2024 NRHA European Futurity; the program will feature $3,000 in added money just for Paints! The Chrome Cash incentive program provides exclusive payouts to the highest-placing registered Paints in a specific slate of classes. In Cremona, the following will be offered:

• Open Level 4 Futurity Division- Category 6 Closed to Paint Horses- $1,250 Added
• Non Pro Level 4 Futurity Division- Category 6 Closed to Paint Horses- $1,250 Added
• Open Ancillary- Category 4 Breed Restricted to Paint Horses- $1,250 Added
• Amateur Ancillary- Category 4 Breed Restricted to Paint Horses- $1,250 Added

In order to participate:

-Horses must be registered with APHA or have registration pending with APHA. Both Regular Registry and Solid Paint Bred (SPB) horses are eligible.

-Owner and exhibitor must be a current APHA member

-Must enter the Chrome Cash class at the event, along with your regular class.

Learn more at apha.com/programs/chromecash

For further information: NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com For ticketing and entry to fairgrounds: SALONEDELCAVALLO.com

Media Contact: Simona Diale / International Horse Press
Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629
Internationalhorsepress@gmail.com

Cortesi and July Joe Snap Strike Another Success

Cremona, May 27 — The €483.567-Added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, closed today with the Open Finals in the CremonaFiere reining arena. 48 horse-rider combinations across the four levels made the prestigious Finals following Wednesday’s qualifier with one run that stood out from the others. Italian Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap stormed into the arena and performed a breathtaking NRHA pattern #12 paid back by the judges with the highest score of the event, a 232.

Manuel Cortesi

No stranger to the winner’s circle, 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity Champion Cortesi piloted the 4-year-old stallion by Master Snapper and out of San July Jo Magnetic, co-owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and Eleuterio Arcese and nominated by Roberto Cuoghi, to the highest spot earning the €186.558-Added Level (L)4 Open Championship.

“I felt the horse was with me the whole time today, he was absolutely fantastic!” said the emotional Champion. “With a horse like this anyone can achieve great goals. I had seen him in action as a 3-year-old with his breeder, my friend Giacomo [Ronchi], who broke and trained him. Unfortunately, Giacomo passed away prematurely a month before the IRHA Futurity. I knew he could have won the Futurity with this one, the reins passed on to me and we claimed the Open Futurity title. The win was even more special as today would have been Giacomo’s birthday and all I can say is that I felt he was riding with me both times.”

Nico Sicuro rode West Coast Step (Sugar Little Step x Westcoast Mizzen) for owner and North American Option nominator Quarter Dream to a score of 224 to earn Reserve honors. The gelding was bred and European nominated by José Gutierrez. Sicuro was pleased with his run. “Today is a win for me! Considering Manuel’s performance, which was great, I can say that I am super satisfied with our run and the score. My horse was super and we did the best we could. I am really happy for the owner Pietro [Marseglia] also because the horse is by Sugar Little Step — who stands stud at Quarter Dream — and I would really like him to have a successful career as a sire.”

Francesco Pedretti and Carol Joe Cash opened the Finals by setting the bar high by scoring a 220.5. The score held until the end and the duo wore the €84.799,44-Added L3 Open Champion’s crown. Pedretti rode a fancy chestnut mare by the NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash and out of Mobster Chex, owned by Giorgio Romanotto and nominated by Nicola Sola.

Francesco Pedretti

Pedretti didn’t hide the fact that the win was a surprise to him. “It was totally unexpected but I am really happy! The owner gave me the opportunity to ride the mare for the past two or three weeks. I must say she is incredible and has a huge heart. Showing her has been really easy. All I had to do was to keep her calm and relaxed. This is my second year working at Luga Quarter Horses and we couldn’t have hoped for anything better. We haven’t made any future plans for her yet; right now, I think I am just going to enjoy this win.”

Massimiliano Ruggeri scored 218.5 aboard AC Einsteins In Like (In Like Flinn x Einsteins Delight) to win both the L3 Reserve Championship and the €40.703,73-Added L2 Open Championship. The stallion is owned by Alessandro Marrapese and was nominated by Alessandro Cazzaniga. Ruggeri was really happy about his win as he mentioned his horse was quite particular. “I haven’t had him for a long time, but I had a feeling that he was talented and this evening he showed his true potential. I know that he can get even better as he has a huge heart, it’s just a matter of time and hard work. It’s a very emotional night for me as this week a dear friend of mine passed away after fighting cancer for seven years and I felt him close to me the whole show,” said Ruggeri.

Massimiliano Ruggeri

Two riders shared the L2 Reserve Championship with a 217: French Jeremy Ropert and Emmabeastar (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Lil Juice) owned by Anna Ciechanska and nominated by Katarzyna Roleska, and Italian Stefano Angelucci riding Frozen Gerda Tari (Frozen Sailor x Jessie Oak Tari) for owner and nominator Angelucci QH.

Stefano Ladetto and Be The Bees Knees (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Dual Spirit), owned and nominated by Emma Villa, slid to a 216 score in the first section of the Finals, which earned them the €27.135,82-Added L1 Championship.

Stefano Ladetto

“I am really happy! He was extremely good and I would like to thank the owners for their help and support,” said Ladetto. “In the qualifier, he did not meet my expectations, but today I must say he was really good. I started riding him a week before the IRHA Derby and he behaved discreetly well. After that, we came here to show. The week started a little up-hill, we got a few penalties, which kept us qualified for L1 Finals only, but each day he got better and better and today he did really well.”

With a 212.5 score, L1 Reserve honors went to Maurizio Ferraris and Elektra Step (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Electric Code x Chica Little Step), owned and nominated by Emanuele Varale.

Winning the €1.635,51-Added APHA Open L4 Chrome Cash Incentive was Simone Schiavo with VD Snarling Miracle (BB One Miracled Gun x San River Clara Cay). A mare owned by Andrea Pedrotti and nominated by Mario Corteletti. The duo scored a 211 for the win.

Simone Schiavo

“VD Snarling Miracle has been in our barn since the beginning of February. I had the possibility to show her at two regional shows before we came here and we tried to do the best we could. In the qualifier, she went really well and in the Finals tonight, she gave me all she had. There were some minor bobbles, but overall I’m happy.” Schiavo mentioned that it has been an intense week for him and the mare. “In the go round, I was a bit tense, but she was really good at helping me relax in the run.”

The 15th edition of the NRHA Euro Futurity closed in front of a full house with a very high level of competition offered by riders from 10 nations: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Israel, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Cortesi’s run is now one of the highest scores recorded in Europe, the highest being that of NRHA Million Dollar Rider Rudi Kronsteiner who piloted at the time Pavel Orel’s Star Spangled Whiz to a 236 score.

Photos by Bonaga Communication

For further information: www.NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
For results: www.SHOWMANAGER.eu

Media Contact
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Capello and Shya Shine Non Pro Futurity Champions

Cremona, May 26 — The first champions of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, were crowned on Friday night in the CremonaFiere reining arena.

Topping the field of 32 horse-rider combinations across the 4 levels was Matteo Capello of Italy riding Shya Shine. The duo had already left their mark by winning the Non Pro qualifier with a 220 score. They came back with a strong performance worth a 218.5 in the second section of the Finals, enough to win the EUR 79.953,76-Added Level (L)4 Non Pro Championship.

Matteo Capello

Capello was thrilled with his win aboard the sorrel mare by the NRHA Million Dollar Sire Sire Shine Chic Shine and out of Shyawhiz, owned by Matteo’s father Alberto Capello and nominated by Piergiuseppe Guidetti. “I am extremely happy! I never imagined I could achieve these results when we purchased her,” he said. “Last year, we won the go round at the IRHA 3-year-old Futurity and closed with the Non Pro L4 and L3 Championships. Winning here was a goal I hadn’t reached yet, so I am very satisfied. I must admit that for the Finals here I was a little anxious. I wanted to win, I wanted to prove that my mare and I were strong. Once we were in the pen, she performed great. I could feel that she was a little tired and it’s hot so that didn’t help at all, but I am proud of her as I was after the qualifier.”

Capello was quick to appreciate all the people who helped him accomplish this phenomenal result. “I must thank my family for always supporting me, my girlfriend Aurora for standing by my side, the whole Cortesi team, and in particular, Manuel Cortesi for training my horse impeccably, improving my riding, and helping me deal with some of my emotional issues.”

Claiming the L4 Non Pro Reserve Championship was Anthony De Lorenzis, who also topped the EUR 36.342,62-Added L3 division. Riding his own AC Joe Spooks (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash x RH Vanilla Spooks), a stallion nominated by Alessandro Cazzaniga, they scored a 216.5 for the win.

Anthony De Lorenzis

“My horse was fantastic, he was with me all the way. He was ready, wanted to give it all, and he let me know that today was the day!” said an enthused De Lorenzis. “I purchased this horse thanks to my friend Ricky Nicolazzi, who is based in the U.S. He insisted I buy the stallion and he was right. He has a great heart and proves it each and every day.”

With a 216 score, Carlo Ambrosini took the Reserve honors in the L3 riding Bliss Bobette San (In Like Flinn x Docs Steady San), a mare owned by Ambrosini QH and nominated by Elisa Bregoli.

First to enter in the first section was Dries Verschueren who was happy to have fresh ground for his run. Riding GP Sparkin N Muffin (Smart N Sparkin x Cp Surprise), owned and nominated by Golden Paint Ranch, he scored a 215.5, which held to win the EUR 17.444,46-Added L2 division.

Dries Verschueren

“I am so happy I could cry!” said the winner, who felt the horse was prepared already last night during his practice session. “I had to go in first, which is not everyone’s favorite, but it was a plus for me; I had a clean arena. His half-brother, out of the same dam, won the European Futurity with Bernard [Fonck] last year and I showed his father, Smart N Sparkin, a few years ago, so I am familiar with this horse’s traits. He is very similar in the way he thinks to his father. You could say he is a younger version of him,” continued Verschueren, who plans a little break for the stallion after the show. “He will be in the pasture together with my other 4-year-olds and then we will prepare for the Belgium and Italian Futurity.”

Last to go in Section 1, Elia Kompatscher and his father Alois Kompatscher’s Spookly Spark (Spark N Whiz x PL Spooks Dunit Whiz) performed a thrilling run awarded by judges a 214.5, to lead the L3 and L1 into Section 2. Their score and the duo clinched the EUR 27.135,82-Added L1 Championship as well as the L2 Reserve Championship.

Elia Kompatscher

“My horse was very good and behaved really well in this run,” said the young rider. “In the go round, I scored a 213 and the horse was really great. Today, in the finals, he was even better considering the fact that I have been riding him for only four or five months. My father and I had been looking for a horse for me since we had sold my previous one and he is definitely the right horse for me. We are happy with the results and we’ll see what the future will bring.” The Kompatschers purchased the stallion, nominated by Edoardo Bernardelli, from Giuseppe Bruno.

The Reserve Championship in the L1 went to Gioele Antonio Foti and his own Lampo Is Comin (SDP Justice Is Comin x A Coletta Pep). Foti scored a 213 with the stallion who was nominated by Adriano Pedretti between the reins.

Winning the EUR 1.635,51-Added APHA Chrome Cash Incentive with a 213 was Jurgen Pritz riding Little Perfect Face (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Wimpys Little Bonita) nominated by Doris Hoeflacher. “My run was really nice,” said Pritz. “My horse was smooth and I felt that he was with me all the way. My favorite part was the run-in and stop.” After the show, Pritz plans to hand over the reins to his wife, who will show the gelding at the Austrian Futurity.

Jurgen Pritz

Ancillary Action
Two NRHA Million Dollar Riders tied to win the EUR 2.000-Added NRHA Open class. Belgian Professional and NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck posted a 220 with Kay Schroeder’s Mello Yello Jersey (Yellow Jersey x Smart Okie Lena). “I brought this horse here because I want to show him at the NRHA Germany Breeders Derby. One of my stops was not so good, but for the rest of the run, he was relaxed and seemed in good shape. I have had him since September of last year and even though he is a stallion he is sweet and gentle. He is a great-minded horse.” Fonck also appreciated the whole show. ”I love the Italian shows. The atmosphere is great, the ground is good and after living in Italy for a long time, I love coming back to show here.”

Tying Fonck was NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Rider [unofficially] Grischa Ludwig of Germany riding Spooks Of Genius (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x A Spark Of Genius) for owner Margot Van Doorne. “This horse always scores well,” said Ludwig about his run. “I missed the first stop, but then we got better and better. This horse has been shown a lot with hard runs and not a lot of schooling rides, so I could feel it a little bit here and there, but I cannot really say anything bad, because we won.” About his crossing the million dollar mark, Ludwig added: “It feels great! It is about time, after 30 years of being a professional reining trainer I finally made it. This show is going to be one to remember for sure. I knew that it was probably going to happen here and that the chances that it was going to be a miss were very low so I am glad it all happened here. There are so many people I would like to thank for this accomplishment. Mainly my parents, especially my father, who passed a year ago, he was the one who helped bring me to where I am today. As for professionals, I must say that there is no one like [NRHA Professional] Don Boyd. He was always there for me in the hard times as well as the good times. He never tried to change my program but always helped me with it, and this has brought me up to this level. This was 15 years ago and we are still working together.”

Ludwig also won the EUR 3.037,38-Added APHA Open Chrome Cash Incentive which added to pushing him over the million. “We all have to work together, the AQHA, APHA, NRHA… My first reining horse was actually a paint horse, so it is even more special crossing the million thanks to this class,” added Ludwig.

Angelo Benedusi rode PL Colonelsmoking CX (NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Gunner x Nu Dynamite Chex) owned by Arianna Aspersi to a score of 217 to top the EUR 1.000-Added Intermediate Open.

Marie Guenser and her own Captain Spook (NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Mizzen Captain) scored 211 to earn the EUR 200-Added Limited Open gold place.

Saturday Action:
Saturday action will begin at 12:00 with the 2023 World Youth Reining Cup, where Youth riders from 23 countries will compete on horses generously lent to the event by their owners. The riders have been preparing for the competition all week long and also attended several accompanying events hosted at the show.

Closing the event will be the NRHA European Futurity Finals starting at 3.30 p.m. with Section 1.
The Level 4 Open Finals will start at 7.30 p.m.

The NRHA European Futurity, open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA Nomination Program, is held during the 36th edition of the Salone del Cavallo Americano which opens officially on Friday, May 26. For further information: www.SALONEDELCAVALLO.com.

Photos by Bonaga Communication

For further information: www.NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
For results and live score: www.SHOWMANAGER.eu
For webcast: www.ANDREABONAGA.it

Media Contact
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com / Cell: +39 3405354629

Ancillary Action

Cremona, May 25—As the 15th edition of the $250,000-Added NRHA European Futurity continues, NRHA Non Pro and Youth classes took center stage in Cremona, Italy, today.

In the Euro 1.000,00-Added NRHA Non Pro, Italy’s Elena Kompatscher rode Walla Golden Arrow (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Nu Chucka) to a score of 218 to win the class. The flashy palomino stallion, owned by her father NRHA Professional Alois Kompatscher, is currently standing as stud for his first year. Elena was very happy with their performance. “I just started riding him and only got on him a few times before coming here and this was our first show together. The goal was to qualify for the World Reining Championship in Switzerland and he did so well today. He was with me the whole time; I especially liked the last stop, but I enjoyed the whole run. He is 9 years old this year, so he is out of derby age, but this worked out well. I want to thank my dad because it’s his horse and he allowed me to show him here,” closed Kompatscher, who also made the Non Pro Euro Futurity Finals here in Cremona aboard her second mount Monster Made.

Elena Kompatscher

Mattia Cosio placed second with a score of 216.5 in the Non Pro and also took first place honors in the Euro 800,00-Added NRHA Intermediate Non Pro and Euro 200,00-Added Limited Non Pro aboard Ilary Nanni’s Hollywood Reminy (Remin Whiz x CN Tari Dun It).

Mattia Cosio

Lucio Marcello Lavezzari piloted his 6-year-old gelding As Just In Time (One Gun x FG Easter Calbar) to a 212.5 score to top the Euro 3.037.00-Added APHA (American Paint Horse Association) Amateur Chrome Cash Incentive. “I purchased my horse as a 2-year-old from Paolo Orlandini, and in his 3-year-old year I showed him in the IRHA Futurity. The following year we made the finals in all four levels in the IRHA 4-year-old Futurity with a 215. I’ve been training consistently and ride almost every day with my trainer Paolo [Orlandini]. This show was good and I am happy with how he went; there were some minor bobbles that can be fixed, but I do realize the mistakes were mine. He’s a good horse and I intend to show him all year round.” Lavezzari thanked his mother for having instilled the passion for horses in him from a very young age, and his father who posed no limits in allowing him to compete in all the shows. He also thanked his trainer and his team.

Lucio Marcello Lavezzari

In a field of 22 entries in the NRHA 14-18 Youth class, Lorenzo Ranucci and his 9-year-old gelding Broadlysnapper (Master Snapper x Broadmoor Cassie) came out as winners. Last in the draw, Ranucci stayed calm and steady in his run which earned him a score of 215 and the gold in the class. The young rider was truly excited about his run. “I’m so happy because I have only been riding ‘Snapper’ for about two months, so this is a great accomplishment. He stopped huge today for me and I really enjoyed the run. Next, we plan to go to Switzerland [for the World Reining Championship], so I hope to have a good run there as well,” said the young competitor, who rides with NRHA Professionals Giovanni Masi and Guglielmo Fontana.

Lorenzo Ranucci

Two riders shared second place honors in the Youth 14-18 class with a 210 score: Camilla Orlandini riding Sparkwest (Spark N Whiz x West Coast Oak), and Giulia Travagli riding KN Skeets Blasterdun (Skeets Dun x Bragalina Classic).

2023 NRHA/RHF/IRHA World Youth Reining Cup
Youth riders from across the globe competing in the 2023 World Youth Reining Cup got together for the ice cream social sponsored by NRHA Hall of Famer Eleuterio Arcese. Athletes representing 23 countries arrived in Cremona at the beginning of this week and enjoyed getting to know each other before entering the CremonaFiere arena on Saturday morning vying for the World Championship.

The day closed with the Non Pro and Open riders gathering for the 2023 NRHA European Futurity Non Pro and Open Draw party sponsored by FENCE2FENCE. Across the four divisions, 32 horse-rider combinations made the Non Pro Finals, which will take place on Friday at 5 p.m. (Section 1) and at 7 p.m. (Section 2). The Open Finals will take place on Saturday with 47 horse-rider teams competing for the titles.

Ancillary action will continue on Friday with the Euro 2.000,00-Added NRHA Open, 1.000,00-Added Intermediate Open and Euro 200,00-Added Limited Open classes as well as the Euro 3.037,00-Added APHA Open Chrome Cash Incentive. The Open is also the qualifier for the World Reining Championships which will be held at CS Ranch, Givrins, Switzerland, on July 03-08.

The NRHA European Futurity, open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA Nomination Program, is held during the 36th edition of the Salone del Cavallo Americano which opens officially on Friday, May 26. For further information: www.SALONEDELCAVALLO.com.

Photos by Bonaga Communication

For further information: www.NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
For results and live score: www.SHOWMANAGER.eu
For webcast: www.ANDREABONAGA.it

Media Contact
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com / Cell: +39 3405354629

Cortesi and July Joe Snap Lead the Open Qualifier

Cremona, May 23—The 15th edition of the $250,000-Added NRHA European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, lit up the CremonaFiere arena with the Open qualifier. 95 horse-rider combinations competed for a spot in Saturday’s Open finals with the 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity Champions, Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap, scoring a 226 to lead the Level (L)4 division

Manuel Cortesi

The duo who claimed the limelight last year in Verona is starting the 2023 season just right leading the group of talented 4-year-old horses. The chestnut stallion by Master Snapper out of San July Jo Magnetic is co-owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and Eleuterio Arcese and was nominated by Roberto Cuoghi.

Two riders shared the highest score of 215.5 in the L3 division: Coline Devault riding Dont Need Gun Color (Dont Miss My Guns x Miss Walla Whiz), a stallion owned by Stephane Giraud and nominated by David Roux; and Massimiliano Ruggeri riding AC Einsteins In Like (In Like Flinn x Einsteins Delight), a stallion owned by Alessandro Marrapese and nominated by Alessandro Cazzaniga. The latter also topped the L2 qualifier.

Coline Devault

Massimiliano Ruggeri

Simone Schiavo claimed the L1 top score of 215 aboard VD Snarling Miracle (BB One Miracled Gun x San River Clara Cay) for owner Andrea Pedrotti. The 4-year-old mare was nominated by Mario Corteletti. The duo is also tied to lead the $1,750 APHA Futurity L4 Open Chrome Cash Incentive go round along with Klaus Lechner riding Psychokiller (Tinseltownsmokingun x Hot Ice Surprise) owned and nominated by Daniela Fuith.

Simone Schiavo

Klaus Lechner

On Thursday, the NRHA Non Pro and Youth ancillary classes will be offered along with the World Reining Championship Amateur and Youth qualifiers. The day will close with the Open and Non Pro European Futurity draw party presented by Fence2Fence where the order of go for the Non Pro Finals which will be held on Friday 26 and the Open Finals, to be held on Saturday 27, will be determined.

The NRHA European Futurity, open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA Nomination Program, is held during the 36th edition of the Salone del Cavallo Americano. Click here for the Salone del Cavallo Americano & NRHA European Futurity Show Program.

Photos by Bonaga Communication

For further information: www.NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
For results and live score: www.SHOWMANAGER.eu
For webcast: www.ANDREABONAGA.it

Media Contact
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com / Cell: +39 3405354629

Matteo Capello and Shya Shine top the Non Pro Qualifier

Cremona, May 22—The 15th edition of the $250,000-Added NRHA European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, opened today with the Non Pro qualifier. In a field of 61 combinations, Italian Matteo Capello and Shya Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Shyawhiz) came back strong to win the Level (L)4 go round with a 220 score.

Matteo Capello

The talented blue-eyed mare, owned by Matteo’s father Alberto Capello, and nominated by Piergiuseppe Guidetti, slid to the 2022 IRHA Non Pro Futurity L4 and L3 Championships with Matteo in the saddle The pair have been together since last summer when the Capello family purchased here from Maurizio Ferraris.

Fresh off her win at the 2023 IRHA/IRHBA Derby where she rode to the IRHBA L1 Non Pro Championship on her Gun Spark Hollywood, a 7-year-old American Paint Horse mare, Rebecca Sudati returned to Cremona to top the L3, 2, and 1 Non Pro qualifier aboard her Onefashionablegun (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x PC Fashion Electrix) nominated by Daniel Moro. The duo scored a 214.5.

Rebecca Sudati

Little Perfect Face (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Wimpys Little Bonita) ridden by Jurgen Pritz, owned by Denise Längle-Pritz, and nominated by Doris Hoeflacher, scored a 213 to lead the APHA Futurity L4 Non Pro Chrome Cash Incentive go round.

Jurgen Pritz

Action will continue on Wednesday with the NRHA European Futurity Open Qualifier.

The NRHA European Futurity, open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA Nomination Program, is held during the 36th edition of the Salone del Cavallo Americano. Click here for the Salone del Cavallo Americano & NRHA European Futurity Show Program.

Photos by Bonaga Communication

For further information: www.NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
For results and live score: www.SHOWMANAGER.eu
For webcast: www.ANDREABONAGA.it

Media Contact
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com / Cell: +39 3405354629