Western City, Karpacz, Poland
June 14-15
For Immediate Release:
Karpacz, June 21 – Provided by International Horse Press — For the fourth consecutive year, the ERCHA/NRCHA Hackamore Classic, open to 4- and 5-year-old horses ridden in a hackamore, was hosted by Western Academy, in Western City, a facility located in Karpacz, Poland. The idea of moving the prestigious event to Eastern Europe comes from ERCHA President, Markus Schopfer. “Central Eastern ERCHA, along with president Tomas Barta, has been actively taking part in NRCHA approved ERCHA shows held around Europe, reason why we felt we should move the Hackamore Classic to Poland in order to further promote our sport there,” said Schopfer. “The high standard of horses and riders, and the level of competition gets better every year. The hospitality is great and we are very pleased with our choice.”
Oh Cay Mc guides Schopfer to the ERCHA/NRCHA Hackamore Open Classic Championship
Earning the 2019 ERCHA-NRCHA Hackamore Open Classic title was Schopfer riding Oh Cay Mc, a 4-year-old stallion by 27 Million Dollar Sire Metallic Cat out of Oh Cay Meriah owned by Silverstone Ranch. With a 214 composite score (72 herdwork/72 reined work/70 fence work), the talented stallion who boasts over $50,000 in NRCHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) had also clinched the ERCHA/NRCHA Open Derby Championship with the Italian professional in the saddle. “I purchased Oh Cay Mc last year at the NRCHA Futurity in Ft. Worth, TX, for Silverstone Ranch directly from [NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider] Todd Crawford,” he said. “I like everything about this horse, from his attitude in the herd and fence work, to his ability in the reined work. He has a great mind, is easy to handle and has tons of style. Regarding his breeding, well, there isn’t much to say about his sire [Metallic Cat]; his offspring earnings say it all, and his dam is just as fancy.”
Taking both the Limited Open Championship as well as Open Reserve honors was Sweden’s Styrbjorn Persson with Kurt Byquit’s SK First Timer. With the 4-year-old gelding by Acres of Time out of Dmac Delta Dawn between the reins, Persson earned a 199 composite (herd work 63/reined work 67/fence work 69). “I’m happy with these results because after we decided to geld him last year, I only got to ride him for six months due to weather conditions in our country,” he said. “I only started riding him three months ago this year and, because he is still a little green, he was a little insecure and nervous here. In the fence work he was great and I truly felt he loved what he was doing! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Markus, Otto [De Fazio] and all the ERCHA board for the work they do to promote our sport in Europe.” Persson and his mount also claimed the ERCHA Open Hackamore with a 127.5 composite score (reined work 66.5/fence work 61). Aboard Docs Smart Baron, owned by Hakan Hakansson, he went on to win the ERCHA Novice Horse Open with a 133.5 (reinerd work 67.5/fence work 66).
Peter Kun and RJ Smart Gunpowder sweep the ERCHA/NRCHA Hackamore Classic Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Amateur Championships
With his 4-year-old gelding RJ Smart Gunpowder (NRCHA Million Dollar Sire Ill Be Smart x RJ Tough Feather), Peter Kun from Hungary posted a 208.5 (herd work 69/reined work 70.5/fence work 69) composite score to take home the ERCHA/NRCHA Hackamore Classic Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Amateur Championships along with the Hackamore Classic Limited Cow Work Novice Amateur win. Thrilled with his multiple wins, Kun was quick to credit his trainer, Markus Schopfer, for the work done with his talented grey. “I purchased my horse in Texas last winter after he had been shown by Robert Rush. As soon as he got here, three months ago, the reins went to Schopfer and the results speak for themselves,” said Kun who owns Hortobagy Angus, an ERCHA Platinum Sponsor. “This horse is so flashy in the pen, he loves the reined work and has a lot of cow sense. In the fence work he is very fast and what I love about him is that he will perform with both a non pro and an open rider. Plans are now to show him at the Pre Futurity in July and at the Americana in September. This was a wonderful show and what I love about these events is the atmosphere. Everyone helps and it is truly family-oriented.” Kun and his mount also won the ERCHA Hackamore Classic Limited Cow Work Novice Amateur division as well as the ERCHA Herdwork All Ages, the latter with a 70 score.
Taking the Reserve Championship in both the Hackamore Classic Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro was Konrad Kobak of Poland aboard his APHA 5-year-old Straits Painted Ike (Strait Docs Sugs x Docs Patty B). The duo closed with a 195.5 composite score (herd work 63/reined work 69/fence work 63.5)
______________________________________________________________
Haug and Snapper Lil Bingo top the ERCHA/NRCHA Open and Limited Open Bridle;
Simon and Bricks Smart Player win the Non Pro Bridle; Pokoh and Woogie Boogie Melody take the Open Two Rein
Also approved by the National Reined Cow Horse Association were the ERCHA Open, Limited Open, and Non Pro Bridle. Claiming the Open and Limited Open top and reserve top honors was Philipp Martin Haug of Germany. He took the lead with Snapper Lil Bingo (Peptos Lil Bingo x Snappers Victoria) for owner Kirsten Kunkel with a composite score of 144.5 (reined work 72.5/fence work 72). Haug rode Peppy Steppin Jac, a 12-year-old gelding by He’s A Steppin Jac out of Broadypeppy San owned by Jens Golz to a 142 composite score (reined work 70/fence work 72).
Austrian Karl Simon clinched top honors in the ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro Bridle riding Bricks Smart Player, a 9-year-old stallion by Jac O Rima out of Avril Smart Play. The duo closed with a 123 composite score (reined work 60/fence work 63.5).
The ERCHA/NRCHA Open Two Rein, also NRCHA approved, saw Jerzy Pokoj take top honors riding Woogie Boogie Melody (Boogie Boon x Depeps Cowboy Melody). Aboard the 6-year-old stallion owned by Agata Kosewka, the Polish professional closed with a composite score of 124.5 (reined work 64.5/fence work 60) .
ERCHA Ancillary Class Winners:
ERCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle
Bricks Smart Player (Jac O Rima x Avril Smart Play)
ridden and owned by Karl Simon.
Composite score 68 (reined work 0/fence work 68)
ERCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle Regional
PBRK Magic Jack (Buck Jack Ausse Bay x Pocodocos Magic Tivio) ridden and owned by Grzegorz Czemerych.
Composite score 123.5 (reined work 62/fence work 61.5)
ERCHA Novice Riders
Bricks Smart Player (Jac O Rima x Avril Smart Play)
ridden and owned by Karl Simon.
Composite score 139.5 (reined work 69.5/fence work 70)
ERCHA Herdwork All Ages Open
High Jac Hickory (High Brow Hickoy x Miss Master Jac) ridden and owned by Jerzy Pokoj
Score 69.5
ERCHA Box Drive Box
Snapper Lil Bingo (Peptos Lil Bingo x Snappers Victoria) ridden by Frank Kunzel and owned by Kirsten Kunzel
Composite score 137.5 (reined work 69.5/fence work 68)
For complete results click here: http://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=832
Coming up next:
ERCHANRCHA Pre Futurity: July 27-28, Travagliato, Italy
ERCHA/NRCHA Futurity: Americana – September 4-8, Augsburg, Germany
Photo credit:
Silverstone Ranch, Vera Markova
Riders Studio, Marta Ciesielska
Media Contact:
International Horse Press
Simona Diale – simona@internationalhorsepress.com
Chiara Milani – chiara@internationalhorsepress.com
ABOUT ERCHA
The European Reined Cow Horse Association (ERCHA) is the governing body of reined cow horse competition. The ERCHA is responsible for promoting the sport, ensuring high standards of competition, and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. As part of its effort to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry, the association produces six premiere events each year: the Spring Stakes, Derby, Hackamore Classic, Prefuturity, Snaffle Bit Futurity and Autumn Show. For information on the European Reined Cow Horse Association, visit the ERCHA Official Web Site at www.ercha.org
