Markus Schopfer rides Smart Pepto to Spring Stakes Open Championship and Franco Rossi took the Championship honors in the Limited Open division.
he European Reined Cow Horse Association’s first limited aged event of the season, took place in Travagliato March 15th-16th. The show open to 4 and 5-years-old horses, showed in snaffle bit. There were 7 competitors in the Ercha Spring Stakes, which was judged by Ricky Bordignon, with scribe Tony Cancellieri. 7 open entries, and the limited open had 4 competitors.
Markus Schopfer and Smart Pepto won ERCHA Spring Stakes 2014. The nice bay mare, by Peptos Lil Bingo and out of Daisy Smart Hickory, 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 69 in the herd work, the pair continued with a 70,5 in the rein work, and a good 70 in the fence work, for a 209,5 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 breeder Sandro Peretto, the 4 years-old mare was trained always by Schopfer. Smart Pepto will be show again at the NRCHA/ERCHA Hackamore Classic at the end of July, and will compete at the NRCHA/ERCHA Futurity in Caluso (TO) Italy in October.
Schopfer took also the second place in this ERCHA Spring Stakes 2014, with the beautiful SCR Bingo Time owned by Jacky Molliex-Donjon from France. The 4-years-old bay mare by Peptos Lil Bingo and out of Lolita Nic (Boomernic) is at her first show. (69 herd/69 rein/ 70 cow) total 208.
Franco Rossi wins Spring Stakes Limited Open
Franco Rossi and Little More Stylish, 4 years-old sorrel mare by More Than Stylish and out of Little Peppys Date by Smart Little Lena, owned the same Rossi gained the ERCHA Spring Stakes Limited Open class with a score of 70 in the herd work, 69 in the rein work and a 68 down the fence for a composite 207. 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 Simona.”
Reserve championship honors in the limited open class went to Alessandro Monaldi and Bar Peppy Play (ARC Play With Prizes x Fedra Ace King x Crown Royal King) owned by himself. The pair scored a 72 in the herd word (top score) and a 69 in the rein work and finish with a 65 down the fence.
