News
Midili and GD Peptos Olena Blue Win the NRHA European Open Futurity; Maas Claims the L3, L2 and L1 Open titles with Arnels Spat Olena
With the final numbers added up, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, managed by the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) offered an impressive $340,214 purse.
The Open Finals on Saturday night kept the public glued to their seats until the very last horse. Once the last combination to go, qualifier leaders NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck and Americasnextcovrgirl, closed their run with a 222.5, the $109,354-added Level (L)4 Open title was confirmed for Mirko Midili riding GD Peptos Olena Blue, an American Quarter Horse stallion by past NRHA Non Pro Champion Spat A Blue out of Miss Peptos Jacky— owned and nominated by Domenico Giannitti—who had posted a 223 earlier in the draw.
“I am really happy because this horse and his owner deserve this win. The owner puts a lot of passion in his horses and his breeding facility, which is getting bigger,” said Midili who has had the stallion in training since last year. “Our first major event win together was the 4-year-old German Breeders Futurity a few weeks ago. Here, even though in the go round I didn’t feel him as good as he usually is, tonight he was himself. He’s an amazing show horse and I am absolutely sure that he still has a lot to show and the ride of his life is still to come!” Midili and the blue-eyed stallion also took the IRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity Championship run concurrently with the European Futurity.
Settling for Reserve honors were Baeck and Maria Cecilia Fiorucci’s Americasnextcovrgirl, a double registered AQHA/APHA mare by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of Americasnextgunmodel, nominated by Arcese QH USA.
With an amazing ride worth 219.5, 21-year-old Lena-Marie Maas swept the $65,612-added L3, $38,881-added L2 and $19,440-added L1 divisions aboard Arnels Spat Olena (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spat Olena x RS Arnels Feo Jac), bred, owned, and nominated by Sabrina Adam. The duo also took the IRHA 4-year-old L2 Open Championship. “I have no words…I’m speechless,” said Maas, assistant trainer at Pietro Marseglia’s Quarter Dream who placed all her three mounts in the Finals. “He was so nice; he was already great in the go round and tonight he gave me all he had. I had so much fun showing him, it was simply amazing.”
Maas started riding the talented stallion a few months ago, and said that they immediately clicked. “He immediately showed me what a big heart he has,” she added.
L3 go round leaders, Manuel Cortesi and PC Sliderina One (One Gun x PC Sliderina For Me), owned and nominated by Az. Agr. Cortesi Piero, claimed the L3 Reserve Championship with a 218.5.
Taking the L2 Reserve Championship with a 217.5 was Alfredo Ciabattoni riding Shine Solano Whiz (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Ms Solano Whiz), a mare nominated by Giuseppe Basile who co-owns the mare with Francesco Savino.
Three riders tied for L1 Co-Reserve honors with a 213.5 score: Daniel Moro and Oak Eva Whiz (Spark N Whiz x Oak Genuine Star), owned and nominated by Moro; Dino Lulli and Frozen Jessie Oak (Frozen Sailor x Jessie Oak Tari), owned and nominated by Angelucci QH; and Matteo Ferri and Electric Flashcode (Electric Code x FJ Flash Bonita), owned and nominated by Georg Wiedenhofer.
At 3 p.m. on Sunday, 14 November, the European Non Pro Finals will close the 13th edition of one of Europe’s NRHA owned most prestigious events.
To follow the action live, click here
Click here for complete results and live score
Photos by NRHA European Futurity Official Photographer Andrea Bonaga
For further information, NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
Media Contact:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
Top Score for Blessing and Smart Spook Surprise in the NRHA European Futurity Non Pro Go Round
The second day of the $340,214*-added 2021 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity presented by NRHA Corporate Partner Markel Insurance and sponsored by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses saw 63 horse-rider combinations in the Non Pro Futurity Qualifier in Cremona, Italy, battling for a spot in the Non Pro Futurity Finals on Sunday, November 14.
Managed by the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA), the European Futurity is held concurrently with the IRHA 4-year-old Futurity and the Italian Quarter Horse Association Futurity—the latter held in one go round.
It wasn’t till the end of the day when Stephanie Blessing walked in the pen aboard her mare Smart Spook Surprise. The duo performed a run awarded a 216 score to lead the $49,817*-added Level (L) 4 Non Pro division. “I did not expect to have such a good run today!” said a surprised Blessing. “My mare was really great, she has such a big heart. Normally, she circles great, but today, she also stopped huge. I was surprised, because last night it didn’t look like she was going to stop so well and today she did, so I am happy. I just want to do the same thing in the Finals, that is our goal,” added the German rider.
Smart Spook Surprise is by the NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook and out of ARC Honey Chick and was bred and nominated by Società Agricola Le Fattorie Di Matilde. Blessing and Smart Spook Surprise also lead the IRHA 4-year-old L4 Non Pro Futurity go round.
Tying to lead the $31,591*-added L3 division, was Italy’s Roberta Gianformaggio aboard her gelding Shining N Speedy Gun (Colonel Shining Gun x Smart N Speedy), who scored 215. Gianformaggio’s show year has been very successful and the Italian non professional is quick to credit her horses and her trainer, Mirko Midili, for her success. “I love horses and I love riding,” said a smiling Gianformaggio after her qualifying ride. “I purchased this horse as a 2-year-old from breeder [and nominator] Mauro Taccia immediately after I saw him: There was just something special about him. Typically, when it’s love at first sight with a horse, we bond. I didn’t really need a horse but saw him, liked him, and he was mine! He has a wonderful personality, is a very honest horse in the show pen. The fact that he had to stop working because he contracted piroplasmosis and I had to look after him, really strengthened our bond. I am happy I purchased him and in the show pen he takes care of me all the way, as he did today.”
On home turf, Lucio Lavezzari, rode his gelding As Just In Time to a score of 215 to tie the lead in L3 and also to top the $17,010*-added L2 and $8,505*-added L1 as well as the IRHA 4-year-old L2 Non Pro Futurity go round.
Lavezzari has been riding with Italian Professional Paolo Orlandini for close to three years. After bringing a horse in boarding at Orlandini Quarter Horses, Como, Italy, the 16-year-old decided to purchase As Just In Time, AKA ‘Giustino.’ At the time, the APHA gelding by One Gun out of FG Easter Calbar, bred and nominated by Stefania Bordogna, was 2-years-old. “The first time I rode him I immediately liked him, even though he had just been broke,” he said. “We grew up together and now it’s great to be in the Finals in two divisions at my first European Futurity. Today it was a really fun ride; he was so good, relaxed, and stopped really nicely. My goal now is to give it my all and do the best I can in the Finals.” The young team is also leading IRHA 4-year-old L2 Non Pro Futurity go round.
(*Subject to change in nominations)
The action in Cremona continues with the NRHA European Futurity Open Finals on Saturday, November 13, starting at 2 p.m. CET with Section 1 and followed by Section 2 starting at 6 p.m.
To follow the action live, click here
Click here for complete results and live score
Photo by NRHA European Futurity Official Photographer Andrea Bonaga
For further information, NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
Media Contact:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
Baeck and Americasnextcovrgirl Lead the NRHA European Futurity Open Go Round
The first day of the $268,434*-added 2021 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity presented by NRHA Corporate Partner Markel Insurance and sponsored by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses welcomed the $187,903*-added Open Futurity Qualifier in Cremona, Italy. Open to 4-year-old horses enrolled in the NRHA [European] Nomination Program, horses and riders battled for a ticket to the Open Finals which will be held on Saturday, November 13.
Managed by the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA), the European Futurity is held concurrently with the IRHA 4-year-old Futurity and the Italian Quarter Horse Association Futurity—the latter held in one go round.
With a 220.5 score, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck and Maria Cecilia Fiorucci’s Americasnextcovrgirl (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Americasnextgunmodel), a mare bred and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, closed the day by leading the $75,161*-added Level (L)4 division counting 45 entries. “This is our third show together and she’s always been very quiet in the arena,” said the Belgian rider, head trainer for Elementa in Italy. “I was hoping she would be the same today and she met our expectations. She’s really amazing, has a wonderful personality, and is a great spinner. Besides being athletic, she is truly a show horse.” The duo also lead the IRHA 4-year-old L4 Open Futurity go round.
Tying to the lead in the $56,371*-added L3 division, counting 50 entries, was Italy’s Manuel Cortesi aboard his PC Sliderina One. “She was really good for me today,” said the 2020 NRHA European Futurity L4 Open Champion. “I didn’t show her at the Futurity as I thought she wasn’t ready yet, so this is her first big show and she showed above all expectations. In my opinion she’s still a little green, so I can’t really say how the Finals will be, but I am super pleased with her.” The pretty mare by One Gun out of PC Sliderina For Me is owned and was nominated by Azienda Agricola Piero Cortesi.
Rising star Lena-Marie Maas, assistant trainer at Pietro Marseglia’s Quarter Dream, rode to tie for the high score in the L3 and took the highest score in both the $37,580*-added L2 (counting an impressive 81 entries), and $18,790*-added L1 (counting 51 entries) divisions with Arnels Spat Olena (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spat Olena x RS Arnels Feo Jac), a stallion owned and nominated by Sabrina Adam of Germany. “All my horses were great for me today and I am so happy,” said Maas who placed all three mounts in the L3, 2 and 1 Finals. “I have no words to express how good they were for me today and how amazing my [Quarter Dream] team is.” The duo also lead the IRHA 4-year-old L2 Open Futurity go-round.
(*Subject to change in nominations)
The NRHA European Futurity Non Pro qualifier will be held on Friday, November 11, at 9 a.m. CET.
To follow the action live, click here
Click here for complete results and live score
Photo by NRHA European Futurity Official Photographer Andrea Bonaga
For further information, NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
Media Contact:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
Riders Ready to Show At the 2021 NRHA European Futurity
The 2021 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity is set to start on November 11 at 8 a.m. at CremonaFiere in Cremona, Italy, with the $187,903*-added Open Futurity Qualifier.
Last year’s edition of NRHA’s prestigious event was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic and was held in the Italian City of Violins. Thrilled to be back in the show arena, riders battled for the Championship titles: Italy’s Manuel Cortesi and AR Vintage Dream (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of Sweet Candy Dream) owned by his family’s Azienda Agricola Cortesi Pietro and nominated by Elisabetta Raviola claimed the Level (L) 4 Open Futurity and Gina Schumacher took the win in the L4 Non Pro Futurity with One Mr JJ (Colonels Shining Gun x QHR Jamaica Express), a stallion owned and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC.
Back to vie for 2021 top honors in the renowned oval arena tomorrow morning will be 45 riders entered in the $75,161*-added L4; 50 entered in the $56,371*-added L3; 81 in the $37,580*-L2; and 51 in the $18,790*-added L1. The European Futurity is run concurrently with the 2021 IRHA 4-year-old Futurity and Italian Quarter Horse Association Futurity.
(*Subject to change in nominations)
The NRHA European Futurity presented by NRHA Corporate Partner Markel Insurance—Official Equine Insurance Partner of NRHA—and sponsored by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses is open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA European Nomination Program.
To follow the action live, click here.
Live score: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1109
Photo by International Horse Press
Media Contact:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
2021 NRHA European Futurity Dates Set
Cremona, October 5—The 2021 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity, managed by the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA), will be held in Cremona, Italy, on November 11-15,
As announced by IRHA, the 192.000,00€*-added Open and the 88.000,00€*-added Non Pro Euro Futurity (*subject to change based in nominations) will be held in conjunction with the IRHA 4-year-old Futurity the week prior to the 2021 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity in order to give the European owned NRHA event more visibility.
Entries are due on October 18.
For Online Entries: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1109
The NRHA European Futurity — open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA European Nomination Program — is presented by NRHA Corporate Partner Markel, Official Equine Insurance of NRHA, and supported by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses.
Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
Internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
2020 NRHA European Open Futurity: And the Winners are Manuel Cortesi and AR Vintage Dream!
Cremona, May 20—The 2020 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity, held concurrently with the 2020 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity in Cremona, Italy, wrapped up on Thursday night with the €160.623,00-added European Futurity Open Finals.
Nailing the €71.000,00-added Level (L)4 Open and €48.000,00-added L3 Championships with a strong performance paid back by the judges with a 223.5 was Manuel Cortesi of Italy riding AR Vintage Dream owned by Azienda Agricola Cortesi Pietro. The duo had tied to lead the qualifier and bettered his score by a point and a half in the Finals. “This is truly a great horse who has always shown me how generous he is,” said Cortesi about his mount by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of Sweet Candy Dream. “He was bred by Luigi Parise and nominated by Elisabetta Raviola, who we purchased him from as a 2-year-old. I’ve had him in training since and showed him at the 2019 IRHA Open Futurity where we had the highest composite score after the go rounds. Unfortunately, he had an injury the night before the finals and we had to retire him from competition for a while. Because of the pandemic, he had more time to reach tip-top condition and after showing him for the first time at a regional show a month ago, we came back to Cremona to make up for the lost time and I am thrilled because he truly deserves this!” The pair also took home the 2020 IRHA 4-year-old L4 Open Futurity title.
Taking reserve honors a point behind was Gennaro Lendi—who qualified all three of his mounts in the Finals—riding Davide Rossi’s Hollywood Dr, a stallion by Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Mistopsail Hollywood bred and owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Arcese Quarter Horses.
Gilles Huyghe of Belgium and Christian Baldelli of Italy—who both scored a 217.5—chose to share the €27.548,00-added L2 European Futurity Open Championship. Assistant for Fonck Performance Horses, Huyghe rode Smart Spooky Joe a gelding by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash out of Spookody, bred, owned, and nominated by Jean Louis Coutrot. “We were actually preparing him for Bernard [Fonck] to show here but we then decided that the reins would pass on to me,” said the young professional. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and am thankful that this adventure ended with a co-championship. He’s one of my favorite horses: He’s a fun horse at home, always acts really happy, and is super sweet-minded.”
Baldelli rode Claudia Rizzola’s Step In The Night, a gelding by Saturday Night Custom out of Wimpys Surprize Chex bred and nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses. “It’s all really emotional and I still cannot believe that this long-awaited Futurity has finally taken place,” said Baldelli who qualified his mount for the levels 4, 3, and 2 Finals. “It’s too bad we incurred in a penalty tonight, but I am super happy with this result for the horse and for his owners. He’s a gentle big horse with an even bigger heart we purchased last year to show in the Euro Futurity. He will probably be shown by his owner in the [IRHA] Non Pro Derby and I am hoping to be able to show him again in the near future.” The duo also took the IRHA 4-year-old L2 Open Futurity Championship.
The €14.074,00-added L1 Open also saw two riders that chose to share the title with a 213.5 score: Giulia Mandaletti and Andrea Costa. The first rode her own Miss Dr Feel Good (Hollywood Gun Dunnit x Miss Doctor Whiz), a sorrel mare bred and nominated by Andrea Castelli. “She is homebred and is out of a mare that my boyfriend Andrea [Castelli] used to ride,” said Mandaletti about her mount who was trained and shown by Mattia Nadalini as a 3-year-old. “I am very excited to have had the chance to ride her here. Last year I started riding her myself under Nadalini’s supervision. She is a very sensitive mare and having started riding her not too long ago, we are still getting to know each other. The finals here went much better than the qualifier. I had a lot of fun and I really hope to be able to show her at the Derby too.”
RR Branding Star, an American Paint Horse by past NRHA Open Futurity Champion RR Star out of As I Want, was originally supposed to have been shown at the Euro Futurity by his owner Melaine Cartier. In training with Andrea Costa since the end of last year, and not having had the chance to show during the pandemic, the decision that Costa would keep the reins was made. “I had never shown him prior to this event, but I’m thrilled this decision was taken,” shared Costa. “He was trained by Giovanni Masi who showed him in the 2019 IRHA Open Futurity. He’s a huge stopper, good-minded, and is very talented. We have not made future plans yet and don’t know whether it will be Melanie or I at the reins, but I do hope to show him again eventually.”
The successful 2020 edition of the NRHA European Futurity managed by IRHA came to a close once the last rider in the Open division left the arena on Thursday night. Due to the pandemic, it was held concurrently with the 2020 IRHA Futurity at CremonaFiere and was run following strict COVID and EHV-1 protocols. NRHA and IRHA would like to thank Euro Futurity main sponsor NRHA Corporate Partner Markel, Official Insurance Partner of NRHA, gold sponsor NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses, as well as the nominators, breeders, owners, and riders who once again contributed to supporting the event.
The 2021 NRHA European Futurity will be held in Cremona, Italy, on November 13-20.
Photos by Bonaga Communication
For further information www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
By NRHA European Futurity Media Contact Simona Diale/International Horse Press
2020 NRHA European Non Pro Futurity: One Mr JJ Slides Gina Schumacher To The Win
Cremona, May 20— “I was really lucky this event was postponed,” said a thrilled Gina Schumacher who at first didn’t think she would be able to show in the 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, in conjunction with the 2020 Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Futurity and Italian Championship Finals.
The young German rider not only made it to Italy, she performed to the highest score— a 223.5— in the qualifying go round, rode to top honors in the NRHA European Futurity Level (L)4 Non Pro Finals, all aboard One Mr JJ (Colonels Shining Gun x QHR Jamaica Express), where she also claimed reserve honors. “I showed ‘JJ,’ in the NRHA Non Pro Futurity in the U.S., where we made the finals, and then went on to show him in the U.S. He only arrived in Europe five days before this show, and that was a big gamble,” said Schumacher about the stallion owned and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC and bred by Brent Loseke. “I’m really happy it worked out and he was truly amazing here from day one. I have to thank Ann and Bernard Fonck for following up our training before coming here, and during the show. Now the plan is to go to some schooling shows and see what will come up for us.”
Schumacher also took L4 reserve honors with a 220.5 riding CS Wallawallaboom, a gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of Cheeky Boom, owned and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC.
Belgian Bo Brutsaert and her KB CJ Gun, owned by her father Koen, closed her run with a 216 to win both the L3 and L2 Non Pro Championships. “This is the first horse by my old stallion SJ Whiz and out of one of my mares [KB Jenny Whiz A Gun], so I’m super excited,” said Brutsaert who also won the 2020 IRHA 4-year-old L2 Non Pro Futurity with her mount, bred by Bruko Reining and nominated by Koen Brutsaert. “We didn’t show that much due to the pandemic and I’m super happy to be back in the show pen even though, without having the opportunity to practice I was also a little scared before going in. I ride with Kim Obenhaus, who trained the mare since she was a 3-year-old, and this is her very first big show. Even though she’s not super easy, it’s so much fun to ride and show her. I want to put some money on her, have her join our string of broodmares and continue with my stallion’s bloodline.”
Taking reserve honors in the L3 with a 215 score were Adrienne Speidel and her own CDC Cromed Resolve (Custom Del Cielo x Kaysolve), a stallion bred and nominated by Fabian Strebel. The duo also placed second in the IRHA 4-year-old L4 Non Pro Futurity Finals.
In the L2 division, Andrea Iannetta and Hollywood Gun Bodo (Hollywood Gun Dunnit x
Doc Snapper Bar), a mare nominated by Alessandro Bodei, claimed the Reserve Championship with a 214 as well as the IRHA 4-year-old L2 Non Pro Futurity reserve spot.
Choosing to tie for the L1 Co-Championship with a 212 score were Manuele Maggiorani and OT Skeetme (Skeets Dun x OT Tarisme), a gelding bred and nominated by Appaloosa SRL, and Rebecca Sudati riding Gun Spark Hollywood (One Gun x Duna Smoke), an American Paint Horse mare bred by Elisabetta Raviola and nominated by Manuel Balzani.
“He is a very good and solid horse”, commented Maggiorani. “He was born at Oliviero Toscani’s facility and was raised at KN Reining Resort where I have been riding under the guidance of Andrea Castrucci since last summer. This was a good show for us, we did better in the consolation run, but we also managed everything in the final. We will continue the program and I hope to be able to show him at the next Derby.”
Sudati was also pleased with her run. “I am so happy! I still don’t realize what we have accomplished. I have to thank Angelo Benedusi and Pamela who helped me find this special mare. She was trained by Genni Lazzarini, who I must also thank because she is truly wonderful to ride. My first go was a bit unlucky, as I got a little emotional, but made it and got a chance to run in the finals where everything worked out perfectly.”
Stephanie Blessing and Dance Gotta Gun (Spooks Gotta Gun x Dance Little Spook), a mare owned by Grey Stone Ranch Germany GMBH bred and nominated by Quarter Dream captured the 2020 IRHA 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity Level 4 Championship scoring a 218.5 as well as third place honors in the Euro Futurity L4 Non Pro Finals which were run concurrently. “I’m super happy with these results,” she said. “We have had this mare since she was a 3-year-old and she already has €18.000 lifetime earnings (LTE). We are super happy with her and her upcoming babies. It’s amazing how this show has an incredible atmosphere even with the Covid-19 situation, we are so happy to be here!”
A special thank you to the NRHA European Futurity main sponsor NRHA Corporate Partner Markel Insurance, Official Insurance Partner of NRHA, and to Gold Sponsor NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses.
Photos by Bonaga Communication
For complete results click HERE
For further information: www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
2020 NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
2020 NRHA European Futurity Consolation Tuesday
Cremona, May 18—The 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, in conjunction with the IRHA Futurity, wrapped up the qualifying process today with the Open and Non Pro Consolation. Those eligible to compete had one more chance to earn a ticket to the Finals.
Following a tight battle, the final contenders vying for the prestigious titles were determined bringing back 54 horse-rider combinations to the € 160,623,14-added European Open Futurity (17 in the L4; 20 in the L3; 20 in the L2; 14 in the L1) Finals and 37 to the €69.707,20-added Non Pro Futurity Finals (16 in the L4; 17 in the L3; 20 in the L2 and 18 in the L1).
The NRHA European Futurity is open to 4-year-old horses nominated in the NRHA European Nomination Program. The 2020 edition, postponed to 2021 following the pandemic, counted €135.810,00 nomination money in the Open and €58.204,29 in the Non Pro. A special thank you to the breeders who nominated their foals in the program, to presenting sponsor Markel Insurance, Official Insurance Partner of NRHA, and Gold Sponsor NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses for their continuous support.
For Open Consolation results click here
For Non Pro Consolation results, click here
The NRHA European Futurity Open and Non Pro Finals will be held on Thursday, May 20, and will be held behind closed doors observing strict COVID and EHV-1 protocols. To follow the action online:
Livescore and full results: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1024
Livestream: https://iframe.dacast.com/live/e2eec26b-7144-f2c7-b0df-0153dcd0c24b/700a9c79-2f1c-cf5b-44b3-6ba65280613c
For further information: www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
Photo credit: Bonaga Communication
2020 NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
Ann Fonck and Manuel Cortesi Slide to the Top Spot of the 2020 NRHA European Open Futurity and 2020 IRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity
Cremona, May 16—Following the second section of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Open Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck tied to win the Level (L)4 qualifying go round with Italy’s Manuel Cortesi.
Aboard NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee and Two Million Dollar Owner Rosanne Sternberg’s Shines Like Spook, Fonck scored a 222. The talented gelding by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Shines, bred and nominated by Sternberg, had already left his mark in the pen by winning the 2020 Belgium and German Breeders 4-year-old L4 Open Futurity with the Belgian professional in the saddle. “The last time we showed was in October last year and I must admit that I was a little worried. My horse was really nice for me; he’s super talented, athletic, and has matured so much since last year,” said Fonck with her trademark smile. “If you see him in the stall, you just walk by because he’s ‘just a small sorrel,’ but when your ride him, he’s amazing. I have to thank Rosanne [Sternberg] for her trust in our program and for always making me feel confident that everything will be alright!”
Fonck also qualified her second mount, Colonels Whize Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Alicias Conquistador) for owners Anneliese and Hermann Meinhert. The gelding was bred and nominated by Voel van Dyk.
Closing the first section of the NRHA European Open Futurity with the top score of the day were Manuel Cortesi and AR Vintage Dream (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Sweet Candy Dream). With their 222 score, the duo also lead the L3 division of the European Open Futurity and tied to lead the €2.520,00-added IRHA 4-year-old L4 Open Futurity qualifier.
AR Vintage Dream, owned by Azienda Agricola Cortesi Piero, was bred by Luigi Parise and nominated by Elisabetta Raviola. “We purchased this horse as a yearling from our client Elisabetta [Raviola] so I trained him myself,” shared Cortesi. “In the beginning he didn’t seem as promising as he turned out to be. I showed him the first time in a regional pre futurity which we won. Together we earned reserve honors in the 2019 Austrian Open Futurity and also topped the composite go round rankings in the IRHA Open Futurity. Unfortunately, he was injured right after the qualifiers and wasn’t shown until a month ago, so I am really happy with the result here.” It’s two in the finals for Cortesi as well: The Italian professional also qualified Like A Showgirl (My Showbiz Whiz x Sliden Like A Winner) for owner Lenka Lukackova. The mare was bred and nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses.
Christian Baldelli of Italy topped the L2 European Open Futurity qualifier as well as the €1.480,00-added IRHA 4-year-old L2 Open Futurity go round riding Claudia Rizzola’s Step In The Night (Saturday Night Custom x Wimpys Surprise Chex), a gelding bred and nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses. “He’s a great horse and I’ve finally managed to show him. We’ve been waiting to show in this futurity since last year when we purchased him!” said Baldelli. “He showed us all how talented he is and I am certain he will be even better in the finals. The best thing about showing him is that we both had fun.”
Spooks Gotta Dance (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun x Dance Little Spook), owned, bred and nominated by Quarter Dream, rode Lena Maas to top the L1 qualifier. “I started riding this horse a few months before the Belgium Futurity last year where we won the Level 1. We were really looking forward to this Futurity that was supposed to be held last year in November so I am really happy for how things went in the go round,” said an enthused Maas, assistant trainer at Quarter Dream. “I really like him a lot, he’s really honest, and since last year we’ve become a team. I wanted to have a clean run in the go round so as to make the finals: We did and now I’m truly looking forward to Thursday.”
Riders eligible for the Consolation will have the chance to earn their way to the NRHA European Open Futurity Finals on Tuesday, May 18. The Finals will be held on Thursday, May 20.
The Numbers:
€160,623,14-added NRHA European Futurity Open
€71.000,00-added Level 4: 22 entries
€48.000,00-added Level 3: 24 entries
€27.548,76-added Level 2: 29 entries
€14,074,38-added Level 1: 13 entries
IRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity
€2.520,00-added Level 4: 16 entries
€1.480,00-added Level 2: 13 entries
The 2020 IRHA/IRHBA Futurity, run in conjunction with the NRHA European Futurity and FISE Reining Championship Finals, is held behind closed doors following COVID and EHV-1 protocols.
For those that would like to follow the action, see below:
Livescore and full results: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1024
Livestream: https://iframe.dacast.com/live/e2eec26b-7144-f2c7-b0df-0153dcd0c24b/700a9c79-2f1c-cf5b-44b3-6ba65280613c
For further information: www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
Photos by Bonaga Communication
NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
2020 NRHA European Non Pro Futurity and IRHA 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity Finalists are Determined
Cremona, May 15—European reiners finally made their way to the show arena in Cremona, Italy, where the first day of competition of the first major event of the year offered the 2020 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Non Pro Futurity and Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity go round run concurrently.
Topping the Level (L)4 Non Pro division with a 218.5 score was Gina Schumacher riding One Mr JJ (Colonels Shining Gun x QHR Jamaica Express), owned and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC. Fresh off her Non Pro Derby win at the 2021 Cactus Reining Classic —as well as qualifying for the 2021 The Run For A Million Open—with Gunnastepya between the reins, the young German rider slid her way to the highest spot with One Mr JJ, a 5-year-old American Quarter Horse Stallion bred by Brent Loseke who she had also shown at the West World of Scottsdale event. Thrilled with having qualified her three horses for the finals, Schumacher was quick to thank NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck for all their help in Cremona.
With a 213.5, Roberta Gianformaggio of Italy rode her own One Shot One Nic (Rooster Nic x Smart Jacalope) to lead the L3 Non Pro division. The stallion, bred and nominated by Gianformaggio, was shown by his owner in the 2019 German and IRHA Futurity.
Jessica Sternberg and Andrea Iannetta tied to lead the L2 division with a 213 score. Sternberg of Great Britain rode A Ruff Spookin Gal, a mare by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of A Ruf Gal bred, owned and nominated by Rosanne Sternberg; Italy’s Iannetta rode his own Hollywood Gun Bodo (Hollywood Gun Dunnit x Doc Snapper Bar), a mare nominated by Alessandro Bodei. Piero Priori of Italy rode Lil Joe Gun 246, a stallion by NRHA Lil Joe Cash out of Gunna Sing, bred and nominated by Priori, to top the L1 division.
On Tuesday, May 18, Consolation eligible riders will make their way back to the show arena for a chance to earn a ticket to the NRHA Euro Futurity Non Pro Finals which will be held on Thursday, May 20.
Stephanie Blessing of Germany and Dance Gotta Gun (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun x Dance Little Spook), owned by Grey Stone Ranch GMBH and bred by Quarter Dream, topped the IRHA 4-year-old Level 4 Non Pro Futurity qualifier with a 216. Sternberg with A Ruff Spookin Gal and Iannetta with Hollywood Gun Bodo, tied to top the L2 division.
The first section of the NRHA European Open Futurity closed the day with Manuel Cortesi and AR Vintage Dream (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Sweet Candy Dream), posting a 222—the highest score of the day— to lead the L4 Open division as well as the IRHA 4-year-old L4 Open Futurity. The sorrel stallion, owned by Azienda Agricola Cortesi Piero, was bred by Luigi Parise and nominated by Elisabetta Raviola. The second section will start the day on Sunday, May 16 and will be followed by the 2020 Quarter Dream IRHA/IRHBA Non Pro Futurity.
The event is held behind closed doors following COVID and EHV-1 protocols.
For those that would like to follow the action, see below:
Livescore and full results: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1024
Livestream: https://iframe.dacast.com/live/e2eec26b-7144-f2c7-b0df-0153dcd0c24b/700a9c79-2f1c-cf5b-44b3-6ba65280613c
For further information: www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
Photos by Bonaga Communication
NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com