Cremona, March 31 – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Non Pro finals closed the day in Cremona, Italy. In a field of 32 finalists in the four levels, Anna Lisec of Austria had set the bar riding her Gunners Nite Slider (Gunners Special Nite x Wind Her Up Chic). Aboard the gelding bred by Oldenburg Farm LLC and nominated by Cardinal Hill Training Center LLC, Lisec closed her performance with a 217.5 to lead the Euro 36.000-added Level (L)4 Non Pro division. The young rider’s score held until the go-round leaders, Edoardo Bernardelli and RS Gaudi Jac, performed a penalty-free run and big stops closing their run with a 219. Bred and nominated by Claudio Risso, RS Gaudi Jac is by RS Great Jac Feona and out of RS Shadow Olena. “I got my horse when he was a yearling from Risso and I trained him myself,” said the young rider who was on the Italian team that took gold medal honors in the past FEI European Reining Championships held in Aachen, Germany. “I showed him last year at the German Breeders Futurity and at the Italian Futurity but we weren’t quite ready yet. In the last 6 months, he matured a lot and he was really easy to show here. I am very happy with this major win!”
Once the Non Pro finals were over, Anna Lisec – who boasts over $55,000 LTE – and Gunners Nite Slider settled for the L4 reserve championship.
It was truly a special evening for Suzanne Scharroo of the Netherlands. Aboard her mare, My Private Gun, bred by Henk Hendrikse and nominated by herself, Scharroo went on to win the Euro 16.000-added L3 division with a 215.5. “I purchased this sweet mare when she was 6-weeks-old and trained her myself. I don’t usually break and train my horses but she is such an easy horse to work with. Achieving this result is truly incredible,” said Scharroo about her mare by Gunner and out of Private Enterprise who also slid to fourth place in the L4 division.
The reserve championship in the L3 division – with a 214 score – went to Jennifer Nixdorf and her Hollysmartin (Hollywoodstinseltown x Tarismartin), a mare bred and nominated by Marino Pilotto. The duo made it back to the L3 finals through the consolation run.
Winning the Euro 9.000-added European Non Pro L2 division with a 212.5 was Alex Kubli of Switzerland aboard his Gunna Ruf Ya, a stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya and out of Lil Ruf Lady. “I have to give credit to my trainer, Morey Fisk, who I’ve been riding with for the past 6 years, for having trained both my horse and myself,” said Kubli who tied to win the L2 qualifying go-round with his mount. “Winning my major event here is pretty special and, I must admit, my horse was very good to me all the way!”
Winning the Euro 4.000-added Level 1 division of the NRHA European Non Pro Futurity with a 212 was Katharina Dejori with her Daicy between the reins. The mare, bred by Mauro Scotti and nominated by Filippo Masi, is by ARC Blueyed Redskin and out of Margaritaz. “I purchased her when she was a 2-year-old. I showed her a few times, with not much luck, and in the go-round here we weren’t that lucky but we were fortunate to make it to the finals,” said the rider from Sud Tirol. “I ride with Giovanni (Dido) Masi de Vargas, who has been riding my 9-year-old stallion for the past year, and who has helped me a great deal with Daicy. I am thrilled with this unexpected win!”
Earning the L1 co-reserve championship with a 206 were Alisa Maurer and her VK Gumps Little Time (Little Gump x Smart Little Time), bred and nominated by Nicole Gelbert-Hahn, and Luca Zago riding his Spatatrip (Spat Olena x Dark Blue River), bred by Matteo Gottardo and nominated by Zago.
Friday Ancillary Action:
€ 3,000-added NRHA Intermediate Open
1. Wimpy Step Surprise, 2010 buckskin QH stallion (Wimpys Little Step x Surprise Doc Topsail) and
Mattia Camisi (owned by Mattia Camisi) – score 217.5
2t. Gunners Chic Magnet, QH/PH 2011 stallion (Gunner x Wind Her Up Chic) and Markus Morawitz – owner Mag. Josef & Tamara Ahorner – score 217
2t. GP Great Revolution (Einsteins Revolution x Lil Uss) and Tiara Van Dongen – owner Paul Verhulst – score 217
€ 350-added NRHA Limited Open
1. Wimpy Step Surprise, 2010 QH stallion (Wimpys Little Step x Surprise Doc Topsail)
Mattia Camisi (rider and owner) score 217.5
2. Little Hancock (Doc’s Tivio Hancock x Little Bay Solano) and Angelo Benedusi – owner Arianna Aspersi – score 215
NRHA Rookie Level 2
1. No More Guns (I am Shotgunner x Lil More Rest) and Birgit Meier – score 212
2. Starlights Revy BB (Einsteins Revolution x Miss Starlight Jac) and Stephanie Kunzli – score 208.5
Saturday Schedule
10.30 a.m.
NRHA Youth 13 & Under – Youth 14-18
11.00 a.m.
Arcese Euro 4.000-added NRHA Non Pro
2.00 p.m.
NRHA European Open Futurity Finals – Section 1
5.30 p.m.
Opening Ceremony
2016 NRHA World Champion Presentation
7:00 p.m.
NRHA European Open Futurity Finals – Section 2
** Online ticket sales for the European Open Futurity Finals is closed. Tickets may be purchased directly for the CremonaFiere box office**
Live score and live stream http://nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com/live
For further information nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com
Media Contact:
Simona Diale
NRHA Senior Director of Publications
sdiale@nrha.com
The National Reining Horse Association is not responsible for information contained in this press release. Please contact the author or submitting organization for further information, requests or questions.