The anticipation is palpable as equestrian enthusiasts gather for the highly anticipated ERCHA Spring Stakes, marking the official kickoff of the 2025 show season. Set against the backdrop of Travagliato, Italy, this prestigious event took place from March 12 to 15, drawing top competitors from around the Europe. Join us as we delve into the excitement and significance of this remarkable event that sets the stage for an exhilarating year in the world of reined cow horse discipline.

NRCHA/ERCHA Spring Stakes

The first special event of the show season of the European Reined Cow Horse Association concluded on Saturday, March 15th. The competition took place at the Palacittà in Travagliato (BS), Italy, which hosted the best horse and rider combinations from across Europe. At the end of the three events scheduled for 4 and 5-year-old horses ridden in snaffle bit two-handed, the best in the Open division turned out to be the pair formed by the Italian professional rider Giovanni Campanaro e Top Tuff Rey. The 4-year-old sorrel mare, sired by Bet Command Rey and out of CR Lenas Top Tuff, bred and owned by Carlo Mulatero, has achieved three very consistent scores. Starting with a 73.5 in herd work, followed by a 71 in rein work, and finishing with an excellent 74.5 down the fence. Campanaro said about his mare: “It’s a great mare with a big heart and a lot of willingness to get things done. I adore her in the truest sense of the word.”

In second place in the Open division, Giovanni Campanaro placed his other mount, NR Ruby Time Cat (Woodys Time x KR Ruby Buddy Cat), a 4-year-old gelding owned by Giuseppe Sgalambro. Their total score was 217 points (73.5/71/73.5).

The Limited Open Champion title went to Samuele Poli Barberis and to the 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare Lil Gunna R Great (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Lil Ruffles R Great) owned by Ingrid Novasconi, finishing with a 216 score (71/72.5/72.5). Poli commented after the awards presentation: “I was very pleased with this mare. She was born in America from Vittorio Rabboni, and she saw cows for the first time exactly a year ago. She has made great strides, has excellent reining skills, and can definitely still improve with the cows. Now we are focusing on the Derby. I want to thank her owners!”

Samuele Poli also placed second in the Limited Open division with the 4-year-old Paint Horse gelding SR Fletch in Black (Highbrow Fletch x Latex Glo) owned by Az. Agricola Samisa Ranch, thanks to the total score of 213.5 (72.5/69.5/71.5).

It seems that Micol Fontana had an excellent performance in the L1 Open, securing first and second place with her horses. The Champion CLR Corona Seco Boon (Boogie Boon x Donna Secolo) (210.5 – 72/71.5/67) and the Reserve Champion CLR Topsail Joke (Quiet Whiz x Piperita Chex) (209.5/69-71.5-69) are both 5-year-old horses, and their success is a clear indication of Micol’s talent and preparation. “This is the first competition I am doing with him. In reining, I encountered very few difficulties as he is very talented. He helped me a lot in herd work, and we had fun in the fence work. My plans are to continue riding him in the special events ERCHA. I want to say thank you to Andrea Sanfelici for all he did with this special horse.”

From the Czech Republic comes the Champion in the Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro divisions. Václav Vacik and his 5-year-old Appaloosa stallion GF Robocop (Boemil Twin Bobotop x My Mom Won It All) scored a total of 210 points: 69 in the herd work, 68 in the rein work, finishing with a fantastic 73 in the cow work, which earned them the victory. Excited after the competition, Václav commented: “Last year we participated in the Spring Stakes, but it didn’t go well at all, so I went home on Friday without doing the cow work. This year was absolutely better; during this year I practiced and worked on a few things. I train at home by myself, but fortunately, there are no shortages of cows since I have a farm. I am very happy with this result because I was nervous before the fence work, but when I entered the arena, I tried to focus, and it worked!”

Reserve Champions honours in the Non Pro went to Italian Alessandro Tugnoli who rode his 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare Wild Wet Mify Cat (Cats Got Freckles x Miss Mify Olena) to a total of 203 points (64/68/71).

Giulia Costelli and her 5-year-old gelding DG Rocky Rey Scoot (Roany Rey x Smartys Rockin Scoot) placed second in the L1 Non Pro division with 201 points (60/69/72).

For the first time entering in a Special Event ERCHA Claudio Agosti won the Spring Stakes Non Pro Boxing. Between his 6-year-old stallion Smart Dun So Good (Smart Easy Deal x Wrangler Dun So Good) concluding with a total of 204 points (68/67.5/68.5). He commented after the show: “It was a beautiful experience. The event I enjoyed the most was boxing; my horse is special and has a huge heart. I would like to thank Giovanni Campanaro for preparing the horse and all my friends who support me.”

The young Italian rider, Gloria Benassi, finished in second place on the podium in the Non Pro Boxing with her 5-year-old gelding Paint Horse, High Ret Devil (Ret Great N San x High Brow Dancer). Their total score was a 201.5 (63/69.5/69).

NRCHA/ERCHA Bridle Spectacular

The spectacular competition dedicated to bridle horses showcased in the three events concluded with the victory of the Austrian Tomas Barta in the Open division after an intense week of competitions in Travagliato. Between his reins the 7-year-old mare CR Tuff Calie Rey (Woody Be Tuff x Calie del Rey) owned by Karl Simon, who scored a total of 201 points (64/70/67). “I was lucky today; she was very good. I rode her cleanly and correctly, I don’t want to win; I just want to make her ready for her owner, Karl. She did a good job.”

Second place honours in the Open Bridle Spectacular but also Champion title in the Open Bridle Championship class went to Italian professional rider Samuele Poli Barberis with the 14-year-old mare Bossin Ann (CD Lights x Shine Ann) owned by Samisa Ranch.

In the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular the win remain in Italy with Sarah Destefanis and her 11-year-old Quarter Horse mare Hot As Wasabi (Little Dulces Rey x Whirlacat). Their total was a 207 (73/69.5/64.5). “Fortunately, she is here; she is a great mare who always helps me, especially with the cows—she helps me a lot. We are improving on our weak points and always trying to get better. This year, I will participate in the bridle categories with her for the entire year.” From Germany Christian Conrad took home Reserve Champion title in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular with 198 points (70/68/60).

NRCHA/ERCHA Hackamore

On Friday, March 14, the first classes of the ERCHA/NRCHA 2025 Championship were organized. Among them was the Hackamore class, reserved for horses aged 5 and under ridden in a snaffle bit. The winner of the division reserved for professional riders was the Italian rider Samuele Poli Barberis, who presented the 5-year-old Lil Gunna R Great (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Lil Ruffles R Great) for owner Ingrid Novasconi, finishing with a total score of 139.5 (71.5/68). On second place from Austria Tomas Barta and the 5-year-old mare Sugars Smart Annie (Sugars Smartest Lena x Avril Smart Play) owned by his wife Andrea Popp concluding with a total of 135.5 (68/67.5).

In the Non Pro Hackamore Champion title went in Germany with the performance of Klaus Paucher and his 5-year-old gelding Silver Catfish (Rainboon Man x Vans Lil Pepidot). “I took him this horse for the first time in Italy, I have him from about 1 year, I’m a bit disappointed because I made a mistake in the rein work and I got a 0 score but we will come back for sure.”

ERCHA Novice Horse

The ERCHA Novice Horse is a regional class and in the Open division the winner was Italian professional rider Mattia Maurizi who rode 4-year-old mare ZR Kimble Brow Chex (Highbrow Fletch x CH Miss Remi Chex) to a total of 135 points (69/66) for owner Camilla Ciffo. In second place two points behind we find with 133 (66/67) Carlos Rodriguez and Miss Pepto Time (Woodys Time x Miss Lady).

For the non pro division on the first step of the podium Sara Crisci placed her 7-year-old gelding Smart Theodore (SLJ Smart Doc x Sparks Rosellina), Reserve Champion honours went to Andrea Panizza and ANS Stylish Susy (More Than Stylish x AND Wyatt Snappy).

ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Non Pro Boxing

After scoring a total of 137 (67/70) Spanish rider Raimundo Segura and his 7-year-old stallion ANS Mokie Vaquero are the winner of the Limited Non Pro Boxing. Raimundo and his stallion placed second in the Non Pro Boxing class. Later in the week they bring home also the Champion title in the Box Drive competition. “At our first show of the season, I am happy with the results we brought home. Little by little, we are improving, and I feel more confident riding my stallion, which my trainer Andrea Santini trains for me. Unfortunately, there is always little time to ride, but we are trying to keep improving.”

From Germany Dominik Schaefer placed second in the Limited Non Pro boxing with 14-year-old gelding Shiny Playboy (A Nu High Brow Cat x Shiny Spark SK Olena), their total was a 131 (65.5/65.5).

ERCHA/NRCHA Level 1 Non Pro Bridle

The Champion in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle was German rider Christian Conrad, between his rein the 9-year-old gelding One Smart Sultan (Two Play To x Avril Smart Play) who marked a 134 total (71/63).

ERCHA/NRCHA Filippo Masi Novice Riders + Youth

Among the 5 competitors in the Novice Riders class, the best of all at the end of the fierce competition was the young Italian rider Sara Crisci. Between her reins the 7-year-old gelding Smart Theodore (SLJ Smart Doc x Sparks Rosellina) who marked a total of 141.5 (71.5/70). “It is always a horse that gives me a lot of satisfaction. We felt good both in reining and with the cow. This result is the result of the work we have done at home, so I thank the entire team at Zoo Ranch and my trainer Andrea Sanfelici, as well as my parents who support me even though they are always far away. It was a satisfaction after the sacrifices for training, and I am happy.”

The winner of the Youth Novice Riders and also the Reserve Champion in the Novice Riders was the thirteen-year-old Italian Edoardo Poli Barberis. Edoardo successfully presented 14-year-old mare Bossin Ann (CD Lights x Shine Ann), finishing with 140 points (68/72). “I know this horse quite well and I get along with her. Today, I particularly enjoyed the boxing, and I would like to thank my parents, Samuele and Elisa, as well as our assistant, Davide Novelli. I also want to thank the whole team we have at home who have helped us and surely cheered for us.”

ERCHA/NRCHA Two Rein

In the Two Rein class, the Champion title stayed in Italy with the performance of Luigi Di Felice and the 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare Bet A Miss Hunter (Bet Command Rey x Be A Miss Hunter) for owner Green Mountain Quarter Horses, earning 139 points (70/69). “This is the first competition for this mare in two rein; we still have a lot to work on, but I am quite satisfied. In reining, it went well, but we still have a lot to work on with the cow. We’ve only been working with this bit for 5 months.”

In the Non Pro division the leader was from Slovakia Darina Ferencikova who presented her 6-year-old gelding Boon N Starlight (Double Black Boogie x Starlight N Moonglow) finishing with a total of 137.5 (70/67.5). “I feel great, the reining is good and our score is nice. My plans for this year are to compete in regional classes and definitely return to Italy. I want to say thank you to my trainer Tomas Barta and also to his wife Andrea Popp.”

Darina and his gelding won also the NRCHA/ERCHA Non Pro Boxing class with a total of 138.5 (69.5/69).

Herdwork All Ages

In the Herdwork All Ages Open the Champion title went to Luigi Di Felice who rode Bet A Miss Hunter, 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare sired by Bet Command Rey and out of Be A Miss Hunter owned by Green Mountain Quarter Horses.

Young Italian rider Edoardo Poli Barberis and 14-year-old mare Bossin Ann (CD Lights x Shine Ann) scored a 71 to win the Herdwork All Ages Non Pro. Reserve Champion title for Sara Crisci and 7-year-old gelding Smart Theodore (SLJ Smart Doc x Sparks Rosellina) with 70 points.

🖊️Provided by: © L. Ruffino

📸 Photo credits: © 8 Photo Agency