ERCHA /NRCHA Autumn Show 2018

The last Special Event of the European Reined Cow Horse Association, the Ercha/Nrcha Autumn Show, was held in Verona, during the famous international Horse Fair named FieraCavalli, that took place since the 26th to the 28th October 2018

The ERCHA show represented one of the most interesting and thrilling attractions of the fair, related to the western riding disciplines.

The show was entirely judged by professional NRCHA judge Eugenio Latorre, and there were 9 horses and riders combinations competing in the Special Event reserved to four and five year-old horses.

There were two horses competing in the Open and Limited Open classes of the Autumn Show. The Champion title in both classes went to Andrea Sanfelici, riding the athletic blueyed Epic Rush, owned by Giorgia Girardello. The pair took the lead since the very beginning of the competition, scoring 73.5 in the rein work, a consistent 74 in herd work, and a good 72 in a thrilling fence work, for a total composite of 219½. The nice horse, by Nu Chex To Cash x Rush N Cat, was owned by Andrea since one year ago, and he started riding him for the new owner about three months ago: ‘He’s a funny horse, with strong temper, always kitting, and this is why his nickname is ‘Pierino’. But when it’s time to work, he gets serious and clever. He’s so talented and big hearted’ said Sanfelici after his win. ‘He has solid maneuvres in the reining, as he was initially trained for it, but when we discovered his incredible cow sense and talent we had the confirmation that cow horse was the right direction for him’. Andrea was enthusiastic about the show: ‘I believe that the Autumn Show is always a spectacular event as 4 and 5 year old horses are already solid and well trained, and this can grant nice runs! Moreover, the new location in Fieracavalli was really positive as it ensured a wider visibility to this fascinating discipline, both for owners and trainers!. Andrea was really happy about his performances: ‘We started good in the rein work with a consistent 72.5 and confirmed the position with strong 74 in herd work. In the final fence work it was great fun but also thrilling situation, as we almost fell to the ground, but we managed to stay up, and save the run, scoring 72!’

Reserve honours, both in the Limited and Open divisions, went to young trainer Pietro Tuberga and Legacy Little Cat, owned by Marilena Mione. The pair completed a composite score of 211, (71 Rw/69 HW/71 FW).

There was one and only champion in the Non Pro classes of the ERCHA Autumn Show 2018: swiss rider and breeder Eliane Gfeller took home the Champion title in the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Amateur classes of this special event, riding the powerful sorrel Chics Smart Lover. In the first two classes, the pair summed up a composite score of 209.5 (69.5 RW / 72 herd Work/68 fw).

This nice horse is a 2013 Stallion, by Smart Chic Olena x Ellevi Love Jac,and was formerly shown by Christoph Seiler. ‘Actually, this was not my show horse’ sweet Elian said after his winning run.’Unfortunately, I recently lost my horse due to a serious injury after an accident occurred at home. After that, I did not want to show here. But Christoph told me to ride his horse, that would be perfect for me. And in the end he convinced me. It was not easy for us because he is different from my palomino, who was a very electric horse. But he is there, and I am so happy about our win, especially for the herd work. He was so ready and we did good. I showed and win for my little horse that is no longer with me: it is a gift for him’ said Eliane. The nice rider also won the Amateur title scoring 213 (69.5 rein work, 72 herd work, and 71½ in the boxing.) In this class, the Reserve Honours went to Nathalie Ten Sijthoff, riding Magic Nu Cash (Chics Magic Potion X Tuf Little Chex) to a composite score of 212 (68 / 71 / 73). Magic Nu Cash is a gelding, bred by Eliane Gfeller and Christoph Seiler, and formerly trained and shown successfully both by Markus Schopfer at the Futurity and Christoph Seiler at the Derby.

Austrian rider Peter Trixner was Reserve Champion both in the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro ranking of the Autumn Show, astride is sorrel gelding CR Tuff Lovin Cat (Woody Be Tuff X CR Smart Lil Kitty), the horse he won the Amateur and Intermediate Non Pro at the ERCHA Futurity 2018: the pair scored 204 (67 Rw / 70 hw/67 FW).

The Autumn Show represented also the last stage of the ERCHA Championship 2018.

Markus Schopfer won the Hackamore  riding Master N Smoke, owned by Florian Morawitz, with score 141½ (69.5 / 72). Novice Horse Non Pro regional champion was swiss rider Vera Walliser, with Smooth Playing Woody (139), while in the Novice Horse non Pro class the winner was Giulia Piraccini with Peptos Time To Dance (135). Markus Schopfer took in win in the Novice Horse Open regional, riding bay stallion Achtung Baby owned by Susanne Goettlich (score 142½) while the winner of the Novice Horse Open was Mattia Maurizi con Arc Dualin Surprise owned by Silvia Manfredi (score 140½).

German rider Bettina Konigsbauer took the lead in the Novice Riders, class riding Jacs Royal Boonsmal, nice roan gelding owned by Richard Forster. Great run for Peter Trixner and his Chics Fluffed, winning the Non Pro Bridle and Non Pro Bridle  Regional with score 143½.

Alessandro Perrelli and Metallic Fill won the Herd Work All Ages Open with score 71, while french rider Jean Luc Renaud won both the Herd work all ages Non Pro, and Non Pro Regional riding RH Hesa Pepto Diamond.

Young rider Cleo Pugnetti won the brand new class called BOX-DRIVE-BOX, with score 143, astride her nice mare Shes Smart And Sexy, while suisse rider Vera Walliser and her sorrel Smooth Playin Woody won the Non Pro Two Rein and Non Pro Two Rein Regional with score 138. The same horse and rider combination also won the Non Pro Bridle Limited and Regional, with score 142 (70/72).

Switching to professional classes, Markus Schopfer and the super Champion Peptos Lil Bingo won the Open Bridle class with score 146½ (75 in fence work), while german rider Richard Forster won the Open Bridle regional and Limited Open Bridle Regional astride Jacs Royal Boonsmal (score 139½ ), with Alessandro Coppari and Tax A Boy, owned by Cleo Pugnetti winning the Limited Open Bridle with score 144½ .