July 27-28
Palacittá Travagliato, Italy
Markus Schopfer and Oh Cay Mc soar to the Pre Futurity Open Championship;
Marco Piersanti and Bar Baby Stylish clinch the Non Pro Pre Futurity!
By Simona Diale, IHP — The eighteenth edition of the ERCHA/NRCHA Pre Futurity, open to 3-, and 4-year-old horses shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore, filled the Palacittá facility in Travagliato, Italy, on July 27-18 with over 50 horses from Europe performing to the best of their abilities.
Following two days of intense competition, claiming the $2,500-added ERCHA/NRHA Pre Futurity Open title was Markus Schopfer aboard Silverstone’s Ranch Oh Cay Mc. Aboard the 4-year-old talented stallion by 23 Million Dollar Sire [NRCHA Two Million Dollar Sire] Metallic Cat and out of Oh Cay Meriah, the Italian professional closed with a 219 composite (herd work, 71; reined work, 73; fence work, 75). “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. Once again he proved he’s a great performer and here he truly showed off his ability in the fence work,” said Schopfer who purchased the flashy sorrel at the NRCHA Futurity in Ft. Worth, TX, for Silverstone Ranch directly from [NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider] Todd Crawford.
The Reserve Open Championship was all about Christoph Seiler of Switzerland who closed with a 211.5 (herd work, 68; reined work, 71; fence work, 72.5) aboard his own Chex Lectric Guns, a 4-year old stallion by Chex Your Guns out of Lectric Hick Chic. The duo also took home the $200-added Pre Futurity Limited Open title.
Andrea Santini of Italy rode Meradas Dual Cat (Hydrive Cat x Blue Boons Lil Sue) to a 209.5 composite (herd work – 69 reined work – 70 fence Work – 70.5) and third place honors in the Open for owner Soc. Agr. Le Fattorie Di Matilde and also took the Limited Open Reserve Championship.
Marine Richard of France settled for third place in the Limited Open Pre Futurity division aboard Nathalie Thenoz’s Catwoman Peptos (Peptos Lil Bingo x Jamie Handy Cat), a 3-year-old mare who closed with a 200 composite score (herd work 69; reined work 65; fence work 66).
ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro Pre Futurity
Marco Piersanti scored a double win by clinching both the $500-added Non Pro and $100-added Intermediate Non Pro Pre Futurity Championships riding his own Bar Baby Stylish! Aboard the 4-year-old mare by More Than Stylish out of Resketta, the Italian rider closed with a 205.5 composite (herd work 68; reined work 71; fence work 66.5). “I am thrilled with this result, especially as this is our first show together,” said the Italian rider. “I just purchased her through my trainer [Alessandro Coppari], who will then show him at the Americana. She was good in the herd work, very good in the reined work, we still have to work down the fence…Today I was lucky; I won by half a point, and I must admit Lady Luck was on my side!”
The Reserve Championship in both divisions, as well as the Novice Amateur title, was all for Peter Trixner and his CR Tuff Boon Pickens (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow), a 4-year-old mare the Austrian rode to a 205 composite (herd work 69.5; reined work 69.5; fence work 66). “I only got this mare about three weeks ago and have not ridden her more than ten times. I feel I was really lucky to make it through the show,” said the Austrian rider with a smile. “I am very confident that we will have a good preparation during the month of August so that we can be prepared for the Americana and try to compete there as well as we can. What I love about this mare is that she is very ‘cowy,’ quick-footed, nice down the fence, and she likes to stay out of trouble. She has a huge heart and the will to please! I would like to take the time to thank ERCHA for the organization of this wonderful show.”
The duo closed in front of Vaclav Vacik of the Czech Republic who closed with a 195.5 composite (herd work 60; reined work 64.5; fence work 67) in both divisions atop his own 4-year-old mare Silver Acres Missy (Acres Of Time x Brassy Dual).
ERCHA/NRCHA – ERCHA – ERCHA REGIONAL ANCILLARY ACTION
Aboard Thaz A Boy, an 11-year-old gelding by ARC Tora Tora out of Snap and Twist owned by Cleo Pugnetti, Alessandro Coppari claimed the $600-added ERCHA/NRCHA Open Bridle win with a 147 (reined work 72; fence work 75). “My horse was really great, even though I didn’t manage to ride him much lately, and I never would have imagined being able to have such a great performance here,” said Coppari. “I’ve had him since he was 5-years-old; he was a reiner and had never seen a cow. With a lot of passion, love and time, and thanks to his huge heart, we are where we are today. He is simply a great horse!” Once again 17-year-old renowned Peptos Lil Bingo (NRCHA Two Million Dollar Sire Peptoboonsmal x Conchita Gay Bingo) left his mark in the show pen with his long-time partner, Markus Schopfer, in the saddle. The pair performed to a 145.5 with a 69.5 score in the reined work and a great 76 in the fence work taking reserve honors! “He is simply incredible,” said Schopfer. “I have no words for this amazing companion I have the honor to ride.”
• With the Pre Futurity Open title under their belt, Markus Schopfer and Oh Cay Mc went on to win the $300-added ERCHA-NRCHA Open Hackamore with a 143 score (reined work 71; fence work 72). In second place, with a 131 (reined work 60, fence work 71) were Michele De Simone and Lil Merada Shiney (Cats Merada x Shiney Lil Squirt, a 5-year-old stallion owned by Michele De Simone.
• It took a 142.5 composite score (reined work 69.5; fence work 72) to win the $300-added ERCHA/NRCHA Open Two Rein, and that’s exactly what Marine Richard posted aboard his 5-year-old gelding GS Top On Whizard (Sail On Top Whizard x Miss Tari Jaz). The duo also took reserve honors in the $100-added ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Open Bridle with a 140.5 (reined work 71.5; fence work 69). Second place honors in the Open Two Reins was for Alessandro Dezzutto of Italy riding Hollywood Pepito (Peptos Lil Bingo x Jacs Little Nugget), a 6-year-old gelding owned by Valerio Ader. The duo closed with a 136 score (reined work 67; fence work 69).
• Peptos Lil Bingo and Markus Schopfer did it again by winning the ERCHA Herdwork All Ages Open, this time with a 73 score. Second place honors with a 72 went to Marine Richard and GS Top Whizard.
• Multiple AICH cutting champion Italian-based American professional Sheri Mason took the ERCHA Herdwork All Ages Open Regional aboard Andrea Pagani’s Smartys Lil Cowboy. In second place, with a 64, Jitka Radosova of the Czech Republic here seen riding Metamoofphosis for owner Silvertone Ranch.
• Richard Foster and his own Jack Royal Boonsmal (Royal Boonsmal x Zans Glenda Jac) took the win in the ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Open Bridle. Aboard the 13-year-old stallion, Foster closed with a 71 score in the reined work and a 70 in the fence work, making it a 141 composite. The duo also went on to win the ERCHA Open Bridle Regional and the $100-added ERCHA/NRCHALimited Open Bridle and ERCHA Limited Open Bridle Regional. It was a 64 total score (reined work 0; fence work 64) for Richard Foster and his Jack Royal Boonsmal as well as first place in the $200-added ERCHA Non Pro Bridle Regional.
• Active French working cow horse competitor and organizer Jacky Molliex-Donjon rode his Backers Premium Choice, a 12-year-old gelding by Premium Choice Cut out of Bakers Roan Sadye to a 140 to win the $250-added ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro Bridle after closing their performance with a 140 composite score (reined work 67.5; fence work 72.5). With a 138 composite, Peter Trixner riding Chics Fluffed (NRCHA Three Million Dollar Smart Chic Olena x Fluff Your Feathers) and Ilaria Traverso aboard Player Cat (Smooth As A Cat x Dual Play Shorty), tied for second place honors. The first rode to a 69 in both the reined work and fence work aboard his 10-year-old gelding. The second marked a 68 in the reined work and a 70 in the fence work with her 9-year-old gelding between the reins.
• With a 140.5 composite, My Coco Girl Annie (Cats Coco Dancer x Kalamity Jane), an 18-year-old Paint Horse mare, rode Mariella Pfeiffer of Switzerland to a 140.5 composite score (reined work 70; fence work 70.5) to win the ERCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle. The duo also won the ERCHA Novice Riders with a 141.5 (reined work 72; fence work 70.5).
• Winning the ERCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle Regional with a 137 (reined work 67; fence work 70) was Alessia Marchetti of Italy aboard her 9-year-old mare GP Smart Queen (Smart Easy Deal x CC Queen), who also placed second in the ERCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle.
• In the ERCHA Herdwork All Ages Non Pro it was Peter Trixner riding his own Chics Fluffed to win with a 66.5. In second place with a 61, Jacky Molliex-Dijon and his Bakers Premium Choice.
• The ERCHA Herdwork All Ages Non Pro Regional saw Andrea Pagani take the lead aboard his Smartys Lil Cowboy with a 72.5 followed, by a half-point, by Giulio Leonardi riding Elisa Leonardi’s Lil Scoot N Pep.
• Winning the ERCHA Novice Horse Open with a 120 (reined work 60; fence work 60) was Fabio Fossa of Italy aboard BB Dance My Miracle owned by Reinikka Antti.
• ERCHA Novice Horse Non Pro: Pepto Time To Dance (NRCHA Two Million Dollar Sire One Time Pepto x Dances In The Sand) reined and fenced Giulia Piraccini of Italy to the win with a 141.5 (reined work 69; fence work 72.5). In second place, Giorgia Girardello riding Epic Rush (Big Chex To Cash x Rush N Cat) scoring a 139.5 (reined work 68.5; fence work 71); the duo who also placed second in the ERCHA Novice Riders.
• In the ERCHA Box Drive Box: Silvia Manfredi rode Arc Dualin Surprise (Dualin For Me x ARC Ms Lena Surprise) to win with a 138.5 (reined work 66.5; fence work 72). In second place with a 138 (reined work 67; fence work 67) was Alessia Marchetti with GP Smart Queen (Smart Easy Deal x CC Queen). The duo also won the ERCHA Box Drive Box Regional.
The European Reined Cow Horse Association’s goal is that of expanding the discipline across Europe. One of the most successful programs so far has been the Regional Championship which comprises the following regions: France, Italy, Sweden and Central Eastern. As the show season moves along, regional finalists will be determined and the year-end champions will be crowned during the ERCHA/NRHA Autumn Show.
Photos by IHP Media Partners @Dead Or Alive
For full results showmanager.eu
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
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International Horse Press – email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
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