Schopfer wins ERCHA Spring Stakes on Anna Lil Peptos

 The European Reined Cow Horse Association’s first limited aged event of the season, took place in Travagliato March 23rd-24th. The show open to 4 and 5-years-old horses, showed in snaffle bit. There were 9 competitors in the Ercha Derby, which was judged by Maik Bartmann, with scribe Otto De Fazio. 6 open entries, 3 non pro and limited non pro contestant, and finally the limited open had 4 competitors.

Markus Schopfer and Anna Lil Peptos won ERCHA Spring Stakes 2013. The nice sorrel mare, by Peptos Lil Bingo and out of Cathleena Enterprise, proved to be extremely talented and efficient, especially in the fence work. Schopfer, who trains at his place, near Turin, had a winning day, and gained the title in the open after scoring 72 in the herd work, the pair continued with a 69 in the rein work, and a good 71 in the fence work, for a 212 composite. “She’s a small, great athlete” claimed Schopfer after the awards ceremony. “She’s so big hearted, and so strong and fast. She’s never tired, and she never gives up”. Born in Italy at the place of her owner Massimo Milano, the 4 years-old mare was trained always by Schopfer. Anna Lil Peptos will be show again at the NRCHA/ERCHA Prefuturity at the end of July, and will compete at the NRCHA/ERCHA Futurity in Augsburg – Germany in September.

Schopfer took also the second place in this ERCHA Spring Stakes 2013, with the beautiful Dry Serenade owned by Jeronimo Bruno from Spain. The 4-years-old bay mare by Gallo Del Cielo and out of Nitas Last Dry was third at the last ERCHA Futurity in Lyon always ridden by Schopfer.

Claudio Salvia and Topsail Spat Dun, 5 years-old bay stallion by Spat Olena and out of Top Daisy Dun by Im A Topsail Cody, owned by Domenico Alvaro gained the ERCHA Spring Stakes Limited Open class with a score of 70 in the herd work, 68.5 in the rein work and a 71 down the fence for a composite 209.5. The trainer was very happy about his winning, and thanks all the people who helped him. “I’m so happy about this! I still cannot believe it! I must thank my wife Martina, and especially Domenico, who give me the chance to ride such great horse”.

Reserve championship honors in the limited open class went to Serena Bagnara and Big Bag Of Snapple owned by Loris Raffagnato. The pair scored a 73 in the herd word (top score) and a 70 in the rein work and finish with a 65 down the fence.

There was a unique winner in the Non Pro and Limited Non Pro division of the ERCHA Sprin Stakes – Loris Raffagnato and Big Bag Of Snapple 5-years-old mare ( Mr Snapple x Little Bag Of Rubies x Smart Little Lena). Raffagnato who comes from Vicenza, has always been fond of western horses. The pair gained both the titles with a score of 208 (70.5 – 68.5 – 69).

The reserve championship in both classes went to Israel rider Naama Reiss astride her bay mare Double Pick Olena by scoring a 205.5 (71 – 68.5 – 66). Naama trained with Markus Schopfer.

In the championship classes: herd work all ages open class was won by Gianfausto Previcini and Ill Colour You Smart owned by Corte D’Oro Ranch with a score of 75.

In the herd work all ages non pro the title went to Jeronimo Bruno riding Troubled Gangster with a 68.

Markus Schopfer and Elans Painted Rooster (owner Jeannette Krahenbuhl) won the Two Reins Open and the Novice Horse Open regional class. While Roman Hossmann and his Menas Smart Girl gained the title in the Two Reins Non Pro and in the Non Pro Limited classes.

Chiara Fontanot won the Novice Riders on Miss Sophie King Oak, and marked 140 (69 – 71).

Stefania Stefanutti won the Novice Riders regional with Greek Silver.

In the open bridle the winner is again Markus Schopfer this time riding Peptos Lil Bingo owned by Braam QH.

Eliane Gfeller and Smart Little Steady gained the champion title in the Non Pro Bridle and in the Limited Open Bridle classes.

Anna Lil Peptos and his rider Markus Schopfer won also the Open Hackamore class.