They came, they rode, they conquered! Fappani and Hosss Win the $700,000-Added MS Diamonds TX NRHA European Futurity Open Championship

Cremona, May 24 — The sold-out Quarter Dream Arena in Cremona, Italy, welcomed 62 horse-rider combinations for the Open Finals, competing for the prestigious National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity Open titles. NRHA $9 Million Rider Andrea Fappani and his solid companion Hosss traveled from the U.S. to compete in the only $1 Million Reining event held in Europe. With a breathtaking performance that earned a score of 225.5, the duo claimed the MS Diamonds TX $420,000-Added Level (L)4 Open Futurity Championship.

Hosss, a 4-year-old stallion by NRHA $3 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun out of Brennas Dream, is owned and nominated by Nancy Wheeler and Jimmy Nichols and bred by Lauren Booth. He arrived a week before the competition. After posting the highest score in the qualifier, the pair returned on Saturday to win the L4 Open title, as well as the L4 American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Incentive.

“I’ve been watching [NRHA Hall of Famer] Eleuterio Arcese and all the European sponsors putting more and more money into this show. With this horse being so strong and consistent, I knew he could handle it—even though it’s not an easy feat for a 4-year-old,” shared the four-time NRHA Futurity Champion. “Tonight, we ran in, and I knew we had to go for it. I didn’t really play it safe, but I knew he had big enough maneuvers to step up and get it done, so I was super happy about it. This win feels truly amazing.”

NRHA $2 Million Rider Bernard Fonck of Belgium rode Susanna Sodi’s JJ Shine On Ruffles (Colonels Shining Gun x Spook N Ruffles), bred by Brigitte Steiner and nominated by J&J Comm V, to the Reserve Championship with a score of 224. Though aiming for the win himself, Fonck was not disappointed with the results. “When you lose to the best guy in the world, it’s not that big of a loss,” he said with a smile. “I’m really happy with my run and proud of my horse. This was actually our last run, because I sold him before the show, so it was a good way to close our journey together.”

Italian rider Angelo Benedusi took to the arena aboard Dolly Face Whiz (NRHA $4 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Smart Baby Whiz), a mare owned by Melissa Faraco, bred and nominated by Rodolfo Marchetti. Performing in the first section, the duo marked a solid 220 to take the lead in the L3 and L2 divisions. Their score held, earning them both the MS Diamonds TX $154,000-Added L3 and the $91,000-Added L2 Open Championships.

“This was a truly exciting show, and in this final, we both entered to win,” he said. “I’ve been riding her since she was a 3-year-old, and she proved her talent at the Austrian and Italian Futurities last year. This is an incredibly important achievement, and I’m sure her owner is just as proud of this win as I am.” The pair also claimed the L3 and L2 APHA Chrome Cash Incentive titles.

With a 219.5, Austrian Markus Gebert and Ya Know Im Cool (Sugar Little Step x Charly Step N Cool)—a stallion owned, bred, and nominated by Gebert’s wife, Angelika—earned the L3 Open Reserve Championship.

Germany’s Dominik Reminder and Walla Whiz Gun (Walla Whiz Crome x Mrs Gun Runner) took L2 Reserve honors with a 218.5. The gelding is owned by Nina Lill, bred by Norbert Nestelberger, and was nominated by Reminder.

The MS Diamonds TX $35,000-Added L1 Championship went to Italy’s Daniel Moro, who scored a 216 riding his own mare Oak Fashion Face (NRHA $4 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x PC Fashion Electrix), whom he also bred and nominated.

“I started her and trained her from day one,” said Moro. “I own her dam, so this result is incredibly satisfying. It’s been a fairly long week here, but I was confident she was ready, thanks to the work we put in at home. I’m really happy with the outcome.” The pair also secured the L1 APHA Chrome Cash Incentive.

Sharing the L1 Co-Reserve Championship with a score of 212 were Alessio Pizzuti and NRHA/Markel Premier Sale graduate Vintage Gun Model (NRHA $4 Million Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Face Of A Gun Model), bred and nominated by XCS Ranch LLC and owned by Azienda Agricola Abruzzo Horse Academy, and Andrea Sanfelici riding AC Like Flinn Out (NRHA Million Dollar Sire In Like Flinn x Not Ruf Me Out), a stallion owned by Lorenzo Ranucci and bred and nominated by Alessandro Cazzaniga.

For further information www.NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com

NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:

Simona Diale/International Horse Press

Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629 – Email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com