News



Cortesi and July Joe Snap Strike Another Success

May 28, 2023

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

Capello and Shya Shine Non Pro Futurity Champions

May 27, 2023

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

May 25, 2023

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

May 24, 2023

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

May 23, 2023

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

2023 NRHA European Futurity: The highest-paying edition with a record number of entries welcomes the World Youth Reining Cup

May 21, 2023

Cremona, May 21—The 36th edition of the renowned Salone del Cavallo Americano in Cremona, Italy, is host to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity with $250,000 added money on top of the nominations; the highest added recorded in the 15-year history of the event.

NRHA Hall of Fame inductee and IRHA President, Eleuterio Arcese, author of the Euro Futurity and main supporter from 2009 to 2011, was keen on revamping the show. “In recent years, this wonderful Futurity for various reasons has lost its shine. The purse, which initially was important, has lowered significantly and it was important, together with the IRHA Board and Giancarlo Doardo’s TFY, to once again elevate the money offered,” he said as a record number of riders from Europe are making their way to Cremona, Italy.

APHA Chrome Cash

For the second year, APHA Chrome Cash incentives — exclusively for registered Paints and sponsored by Arcese Quarter Horses USA — will be offered during the Euro Futurity. Any eligible Paint can make a run for $10,000 in added money in four classes: $3,250 APHA Open Chrome Cash Incentive; $3,250 APHA Amateur Chrome Cash Incentive; $1,750 APHA Futurity Open Level 4 Chrome Cash Incentive for horses already entered in the European Open Futurity; and $1,750 APHA Futurity Non-Pro Level 4 Chrome Cash Incentive for horses already entered in the European Non Pro Futurity.

Spotlight on the 2023 NRHA/RHF/IRHA World Youth Reining Cup

The second edition of the World Youth Reining Cup will be held during the Euro Futurity in Cremona, host of the Global Youth World Reining Cup in 2019. This year, 23 countries from six continents (Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia) will be represented and this is a success in itself! “We are so proud of these riders representing their flag in Cremona,” said Joao Marcos, an avid promoter and supporter of youth worldwide. “A special thank you to the riders, their parents, the owners of the horses provided for the youth, the precious sponsors, and all the team behind this event.”

The competition will be held on Saturday, May 27.

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

 

It’s A Win for Spain as Nogue Puig and Simple The Best 66 Claim the NRHA European Non Pro Futurity Championship

May 29, 2022

La Chapelle-la-Reine, May 29—The 2022 NRHA European Futurity held at BO Ranch, La Chapelle- la-Reine, France, closed with the $104,520-Added BO Ranch European Non Pro Futurity. The Non Pro qualifier leaders, Andreu Nogue 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.

Spanish Nogue 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 (IRHA) 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 Nogue 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.”

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.

Toyon Ranch Level 2

Riding to the $ 20,904-Added L2 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 which earned 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 trained 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 Gaupmann-Lechner, 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.”

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.

NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Non Pro Chrome Cash Incentive

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.

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

We now look forward the NRHA European Affiliate Championships which will be held at CS Ranch, Givrins, Switzerland, on July 13-16.

Photos by Wanted Photo

For complete results and further information NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com

NRHA European Futurity Media Contact
Simona Diale / International Horse Press

 

Fonck Brings Home His Second NRHA European Futurity Open Championship

La Chapelle-la-Reine, May 28—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.  On Saturday night, Fonck conquered his second title at Topper’s last home, BO Ranch, owned by Greg Morat.

Level 4 MS Diamonds TX Open

With 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 $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,” 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 Championship ring sponsored by 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 2-year-old and I immediately knew he was very talented,” said Brighenti. “He is very athletic, but most of all he is honest and is a show horse. He went well all week; the arena here is great. 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, a half-a-point behind, 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.

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 Peter Morgan as a 2-year-old in the States and brought him to Italy,” said the Italian rider. “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 better and better lately. I am so happy for this title, in particular for the owner who truly deserves it.”

With a 215, Johannes Hasenauer and Stepup For Lil Gun (Colonels Lil Gun x Step Up And Play) owned and nominated by Stefan Loeffler, claimed both L2 Reserve honors and the $1,750-Added Official American Paint Horse Association NRHA European Futurity L4 Open Chrome Cash Incentive with a 215.

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 Arnaud Girinon,” said the French rider. “This is the first show with him and I’m very happy with the way he went here.”

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.

Saturday Ancillary Action

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

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.

Photos by NRHA European Futurity Official Photographer Wanted Photo

Follow the action live here: http://nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com/live

For further information, www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com

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

Simple The Best 66 and Nogue Puig Lead the BO Ranch NRHA European Futurity Non Pro Qualifier

May 28, 2022

La Chapelle-la-Reine, MAY 27—The highlight of the second day of competition at the $344,514-Added NRHA European Futurity was the $103,354-Added BO Ranch NRHA European Non Pro Futurity qualifier where 35 horse-rider combinations performed to earn a ticket to the finals which will be held on Sunday, May 28.

In the Cardinal Reining Horse Level (L)4 division, it was all about young Andreu Nogue Puig and his Simple The Best 66 (Inferno Sixty Sixty x ARC Yellow N Lime), a mare bred by Ambrosini Quarter Horses and nominated by Lenka Lukackova. The young rider from Spain, who purchased the talented bay as a yearling from GB Ranch in Italy and went on to break and train her himself, last in the draw scored a 219.5 for the lead.

Lucie Egenter of Germany and Bettina Egenter’s Eyes Of Whiz (One Gun x Luga Whiz), an American Paint Horse Association gelding bred and nominated by Carlo Sala, scored a 216 topping the Markel Insurance L3 as well as the Toyon Ranch L2 and Elementa L1 Non Pro divisions.

With a 208, Italy’s Filippo Antonutti and his AK One Little Gun (One Gun x RX Dodsons Lil Step), a gelding bred and nominated by AK Quarter Horses, lead the $1,750-Added APHA Chrome Cash NRHA European Futurity L4 Non Pro qualifier.

The first 2022 NRHA European Futurity Champions will be crowned on Saturday, May 28, when the $241,160-Added AMBTP European Futurity Open finalists will perform in front of a full house in the beautiful BO Ranch arena.

Friday 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.

Italy’s Pietro Artinghelli rode Missbobsdaughter (Dunnit Like A Master x Miss Bh Gun Shine), owned by Alessandro Tabarrini, took home the $3,000-Added Italian Reining Horse Association NRHA Intermediate Open Class with a 209 score.

Winning the$450-added Argeville 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).

Photos by NRHA European Futurity Official Photographer Wanted Photo

Follow the action live here: http://nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com/live

For further information, www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com

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

Fonck and GP The Stud In Town Top The NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Open Qualifier

May 27, 2022

La Chapelle-la-Reine, May 26—The first day of competition at the 2022 edition of the $344,514-Added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity at BO Ranch saw Europe’s best horses and riders perform for a spot in the AMBTP Open Futurity Finals scheduled on Saturday, May 28.

Topping the leader board with a 221.5 in the MS Diamonds TX Level (L)4 division was NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck of Belgium riding GP The Stud In Town (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Cp Surprise), a stallion bred, owned, and nominated by Golden Paint Ranch.

Lukasz Czechowicz of Poland and CSG Wisemanfear (Colonels Shining Gun x Tejana Chic), a stallion bred by Brent Loseke, owned and nominated by Katarzyna Roleska, scored a 219.5 to lead the MMA L3 Open division.

In the Chateaux Prestige L2, Quentin Galliere rode Voodoos Enterprise (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x BH Best Of Seven), owned and bred by Gradus Berg, and nominated by Jana Mroszewski, scored a 217 for the lead.

In the Quarter Dream L1 Open, Simon Bilger riding Scarface Dunnit (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Joy Scarface), scored a 213 for owner Katja Binder nominated by Matteo Vedovato. The gelding was bred by Francesca Carone.

Leading the $1,750-Added L4 NRHA European Open Futurity American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Incentive qualifier with a 216.5 is Johannes Hasenauer of Austria aboard Stepup For Lil Gun (Lil Gun x Step Up And Play) owned and nominated by Stefan Loeffler.

Open Futurity Bubble Scores:

Level 4 – 214.5

Level 3 – 213

Level 2 – 208.5

Level 1 – 208.5

Action will continue on Friday with the $103,354-Added BO Ranch NRHA Euro Futurity Non Pro Qualifier.

Find the schedule here

Media Guidelines and Accreditation here

To follow the action live:  www.youviwa.com

Livescore: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1200

Photo by NRHA European Futurity Official Photographer Wanted Photo

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