Kreuth, Germany - The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity hosted ancillary classes in the $15,000 added Open, $7,500 added Non Pro, $1,000 added Novice Horse Open Level 2 and $1,000 added Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 this week.
The $15,000 added Open Champion is Volker Schmitt (GER) riding Chic Magnetic. The two scored a 228 earning both the NRHA Lawson trophy and $4,653 in prize money. Bernard Fonck (BEL) and Kitas Spark claimed the Reserve Champion title scoring a 226.5.
Before today, Chic Magnetic (Chocolate Chic Olena x Shiners Crystal) had $126,139 in NRHA LTE. The stallion owned by Renzo Canciani was third at the 2007 NRHA Level 4 Open Derby, National Reining Breeder's Classic Level 4 Open finalist with Tim McQuay and 2004 NRHA Level 4 and Level 3 Open Futurity finalist with Mark Arballo. Renzo Canciani has owned the horse four years now. He gave it to Volker Schmitt to ride about two months ago. Today was the first time, Volker actually showed him. “I could hardly believe how good he is,” he said. “He is 10 years old and has been shown a lot, but he is always with you. Never tries to anticipate, and he is an excellent mover. I’ve ridden a lot of horses, but he is something very special!”
It was the first time Reserve Champion Bernard Fonck showed Kitas Spark, as well. The stallion by Shining Spark out of Smart Miss Marker was bred by Kanjiro Tokita (USA), He has earned almost $26,000 NRHA LTE to date. He was 2008 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity finalist and High Roller Reining Classic Level 4 Open Futurity third place with Todd Bergen.
“I’ve had him in training since last summer,” said Bernard. “He has lots of talent. Today, he got better and better.” The two earned $3,656.24 for the Reserve Champion title.
Stefano Angelucci and AB Captain Badger placed third scoring a 223.
SPAT A BLUE AND RISSO WIN $7,500 ADDED NON PRO
With a high score of 223, Claudio Risso (ITA) and Spat A Blue earned the Lawson Trophy Non Pro, plus more than $2,120. The bay stallion (Spat Olena x ARC Joy Surprise) gave an excellent performance in a field of 30 riders. And, it was the first time Claudio showed him! Spat A Blue (bred by Giovanni Nodari) was shown by Martin Gamper and Nicola Brunelli before and became Level 4 Open Finalist at the Italian Maturity with Brunelli in the saddle. His NRHA LTE now exceed $12,000. “I would never have believed he is that easy to show,” Claudio said. “It was real fun. But I must thank his new trainer Pierluigi Chioldo for helping me prepare him for today!”
Dominik Reminder (GER) and GR JFB Boy became Reserve Champion scoring a 220.5. Dominik trains his horse himself. GR JFB Boy is by Solanoswarleeboy out of JFB Glo and was bred by Georg Ripper. Dominik Reminder became 2010 Italian Level 3 Non Pro Derby Champion.
Piet Mestdag and Diamond Cat Fifty placed third (218.5), Manuel Bonzano and Top of The Top fourth (217.5).
SPLENDIT AS A GUMP BB AND FONCK WIN NOVICE HORSE OPEN LEVEL 2
The Novice Horse Open Level 2 Champion title was claimed by Ann Fonck-Poels (BEL) who scored a 148 with Splendit As Gump BB (Little Gump x Hollywood Balloues), a horse bred by Cira Baeck and owned by Manuel Bonzano. Ann rode this horse to the Reserve Champion title at the NRHA Belgium Level 4 Open Futurity. Her husband Bernard was 1st International Western Event SnaffleBit/Hackamore (3 YO) Open Futurity Champion with him.
Rudi Kronsteiner (AUT) riding BT Smartest Dude (owner Jürgen Maibaum) and Cira Baeck (BEL) riding Gumps First Lady BB (owner Tuur Leflot) tied for second place scoring a 147.5.
ALL ARE PLEASED AND VAN DER MEER WIN NOVICE HORSE NON PRO LEVEL 2
In the Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2, the winner was Frans Van der Meer (NED) riding All Are Pleased. In a field of 38 competitors the two score a 143. Josh Collins (NED) and Spookin The Bar placed second (142. 5).
All Are Pleased (Chic Please x Alaythia) was bred by Gail Klapper (USA). Frans Van der Meer won the Intermediate Non Pro at the 2010 NRHA European Futurity with this horse and was Italian Level 3 Non Pro Derby finalist.
The evening’s activities included a Rider Meeting and the Draw Party for both Open and Non Pro Futurity finalists. Owners and exhibitors were treated to celebratory food and drink, as well as live entertainment.
MORE ABOUT THE SHOW – The NRHA European Futurity & NRHA Show offers a full slate of Category 1 classes for Open and Non Pro riders. The NRHA European Futurity is “Open to the World” and showcases four-year-old reining horses and riders competing for close to $400,000 in prize money.
More information is available on the official website of the NRHA European Futurity at nrha-european-futurity.com, on the Online Reiner at reiner.nrha.com and on NRHA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/nrhareining.
For all those who cannot visit Kreuth and watch the NRHA European Futurity in person, NRHA offers free Livestreaming and Livescoring on nrha-european-futurity.com.
ENDS