The ERCHA/NRCHA Metallic Cat Derby 2025 is set to be a premier event in the world of working cow horse competitions, taking place in the picturesque town of Travagliato, Italy. As one of the most anticipated showcases of equine talent and horsemanship, this derby bring together top riders, talented horses, and passionate spectators from across the Europe.

Metallic Cat Derby Open

At the end of 3 emotional days in Travagliato (Italy) the 2025 Metallic Cat Derby Open Champion title went to Italian professional rider Giovanni Campanaro, between his rein the 5-year-old stallion Over The Topish S8. The talented sorrel is sired by Dual Reyish and out of Look One, owned by Equine Global Investment Corp and bred by Gary Miller. marked a total of 297.5 points with 3 consistent events (74 herd/72.5 rein/76 fence/75 final fence). “He arrived from the United States in October 2023, was just broken and very green, with an approach on the little flag and some work on the calves. He came to me knowing he would be sold later; after two months of work at my place, he was sold in Germany, where he basically only stayed in the box until he was repurchased a year later by the same owner and brought into work by me. In November, he returned to my stable. This is our first special event together after having competed in Cremona for a trial competition. It went better than I expected because he doesn’t have much experience. I am planning to breed two of my mares with him because I believe he is an excellent horse.” Commented Giovanni at the end of the awards presentation.

Giovanni Campanaro placed also second in the Oped division with Rey Smart Tuff a 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare sired by Bet Command Rey and out of CR Lenas Top Tuff owned by Carlo Mulatero, with a total of 290 points (71 herd/70 rein/73.5 fence/75 final fence).

Metallic Cat Derby Limited Open

Italy dominated in the Limited Open division with the winning of Andrea Sanfelici and SA Great N Diabolik, 4-year-old Paint Horse gelding sired by Ret Great N San and out of Kim Mafalda N Jac owned by Clarissa Bisaschi. 289 was their total score with a 73 in the fence work final. “I am happy with this result. I think from now on, he will be ridden by his owner, Clarissa Bisaschi. This horse was born near my home; I bought him at six months old. He is a son of my stallion and a mare I previously rode. He is very fast and well-rounded in all three events.”

On second place Italian Markus Schopfer rode 5-year-old stallion Oh Cay EasterCat with a total of 287.5 points, the talented sorrel is sired by Oh Cay Mc and out of Snapper Victoria.

Metallic Cat Derby Level 1 Open

Between 7 horse and rider combinations in the Derby Level 1 Open Italy dominated with the performance of Micol Fontana and her 5-year-old gelding CLR Corona Seco Boon (Boogie Boon x Donna Secolo). The talented sorrel achieved three very consistent results with a 70 in the rein work, followed by a 71 in the herd work and ended with a big 73 in the cow work. Nicole is naturally very happy with this result, as she has relatively recently become involved in cow horse: “Compared to the last competition I participated in (which was also my first with him), there have been some changes. I feel a bit more confident because I’ve been riding at home more often, which has helped me develop better feeling. I must say that my horse has been a huge help, thanks also to the work that Andrea Sanfelici did with him beforehand. Most of the time, I listen to the horse, so when I have any doubts, I let him take the lead, and I know I won’t go wrong. The cow in the fence work wasn’t very easy, but everything went smoothly in the end.”

Reserve Champion in the Derby Level 1 Open division was another Italian rider, Luigi Di Felice  presented LM Maywheater a 5-year-old stallion sired by Skeets My Bro and out of Holly Bob Time owned by La Masseria dei Cavalieri. 213.5 was the total (72 herd/67 rein/74.5 fence).

Metallic Cat Derby Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro

Two young female riders from Italy spotted the scene in Travagliato. Winning double Champion title in the Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro divisions was 20-year-old Elena Ferrari who presented her 5-year-old gelding Spiderman of Time (Woody Time x Spiderman By Night) concluded with 290 points (71 herd/69.5 rein/75.5 fence/74 final fence). “I am truly happy; after so much effort and work, we managed to win. I thank Giovanni Campanaro for the work he has done and is doing with us, my family, of course, but also the horse, which was perfect for four days. It was well-fitted, focused, and physically in great shape. The fence work was amazing; I really enjoyed it, and I believe that’s the most important thing.” Said Elena after her emotional final.

On second place in both the division Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro Anna Rodriguez placed Sweet Like A Pepper, 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding sired by Woodys Time and out of RR Sweet One Time, owned by her father Carlos Rodriguez. The total for this horse and rider combination was a 289.5 (71 herd/69 rein/72 fence) finishing with an incredible 77.5 down the fence in the final.

Non Pro Boxing

Claudio Agosti from Italy rode 6-year-old Quarter Horse stallion Smart Dun So Good to claim the Champion title in the Non Pro Boxing division. The talented dun is sired by Smart Easy Deal and out of Wrangler Dun So Good, owned by Martina Morando, posted a 278 total score (70 herd/66 rein/72 boxing/70 boxing final). “I was much more relaxed than the previous time, I broke the ice, I felt much more connected to the horse, and I had a lot of fun. The horse, as always, never lets me down; he has a big heart and puts all his effort into it. I thank Giovanni Campanaro for his professionalism, my girlfriend and the owner of the horse, Martina Morando, as well as all the friends who cheered for us.”

Giulia Rota and her Talk Sol Win (Quixotes Pep Talk x Red Win Lady Oak) are the Reserve Champion with 274.5 points (67 herd/68 rein/68.5 boxing/71 boxing final).

Bridle Spectacular

At the end of the three events, the champion in the Open division in the Bridle Spectacular was crowned. German professional rider Patrick Sattler claimed the title with Justa ShiningSparkle 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare sired by Sharp Dressed Shiner and out of Justa Little Slipper owned by Sylvia Bate. Their total score was a 213.5 (72 herd/69 rein/72.5 fence). “I’m glad and really happy about this mare. At the beginning of the year, we won two cutting classes with her, and now, at this show, we won the Herdwork All Ages and this class. I’m also very pleased with my old horse, Tivios Prize, who won the Open and Limited Open Bridle classes with my co-trainer Nina Henny. Big congratulations to her!”

Reserve Champion in the Open Bridle Spectacular was Austrian Tomas Barta who presented the 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare CR Tuff Calie Rey (Woody Be Tuff x Calie del Rey) owned by Karl Simon. Their total was a 208.5 (69 herd/69.5 rein/70 fence).

In the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Italian Sarah Destefanis rode her 11-year-old Quarter Horse mare Hot As Wasabi (Little Dulces Rey x Whirlacat) to the first step of the podium with 216.5 points (72.5 herd/72.5 rein/71.5 fence). “As always, Wasabi did her part. The herd work test was fun, and in rein work we have improved compared to our usual performance. During fence work, I am gradually working on improving my weak points. There is room for improvement! I definitely thank my boyfriend Giovanni Campanaro, the guys who came to help us, and also Francesco Barbagli, who gave us advice for the rein work during this competition.” Sarah and her sorrel mare won also the Non Pro Bridle class with 144 points (72.5 rein/71.5 fence).

Austrian Karl Simon is the Reserve Champion in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular with a total of 195 (60 herd/64.5 rein/70.5 fence) riding his CR Tuff Calie Rey, 7-year-old Quarter Horse Mare sired by Woody Be Tuff and out of Calie del Rey.

From Germany Masha Stein and her 8-year-old mare Smokisticated Catt (Sophisticated Catt x Lady Smoke N Glo) claimed Reserve Champion honours in the Non Pro Bridle.

Herdwork All Ages

Germany dominates in the Herdwork All Ages Open with professional rider Patrick Sattler that scored a 73 with Justa ShiningSparkle 10-year-old mare sired by Sharp Dressed Shiner and out of Justa Little Slipper owned by Sylvia Bate. Second place honours went to another German rider, Jurgen Malo marked a 70 with Pippa Chic Olena a 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare sired by Reverend Lee and out of Keen Chic Olena owned by Thomas Schmid.

In the Herdwork All Ages Non Pro the winner is Italian Sara Crisci who rode her Smart Theodore 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding sired by SLJ Smart Doc x Sparks Rosellina) with 70 points. Reserve Champions are Giorgia Girardello and 6-year-old mare Girl Of Spark (Spark N Whiz x One More Whiz Girl) with a score of 69.5.

Hackamore 

Austrian professional rider Tomas Barta is the Champion in the Open Hackamore class. Between his reins Sugars Smart Annie a 5-year-old mare owned by Andrea Popp and sired by Sugars Smartest Lena and out of Avril Smart Play, who scored a total of 139 (68.5 rein/70.5 fence). “I bred this horse from my stallion; she grew up on my ranch, and I know everything about her. I found that she was very good in a hackamore, so I started showing her with this equipment. I’m happy today!”

On second place for Germany with 138 points (68.5 rein/69.5 fence) we find Philipp Martin Haug and Snapperpeptolena, 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare sired by Oaks Lone Pepto and out of Genuinely Snapper owned by Kerstin Kunkel.

In the Non Pro Hackamore Champion title went to Germany with Klaus Paucher and his 5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Silver Catfish (Rainboon Man x Vans Lil Pepidot). This horse and rider combination took home a total of 137 (68.5 rein/68.5 fence). “I think we did pretty good today, just trying to to school a little bit in the rein and keep him calm down the fence.”

Limited Non Pro Boxing

From Spain Raimundo Segura and his 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD) secured the win with 137.5 points (67.5 rein/70 boxing). “I am happy with this result and particularly satisfied with my horse and my trainer Andrea Santini, who prepared him for me perfectly. I felt comfortable in the arena today and I hope to be able to continue like this.” 

Reserve Champion honours went to Germany with Laura Stein and her 12-year-old Paint Horse gelding Gunna B Taste (Gatling Gun x Taste of Taco) with a total of 134 (67 rein/67 boxing).

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle

Young Italian rider Riccardo Morano, at his debut down the fence, is the Champion in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle. Between his reins the 13-year-old gelding Tygun (Gunstar x Pidgeon Poo) who marked a total of 143.5 points (70.5 rein/73 fence). “I was honestly a bit intimidated to go down the fence for the first time in the competition. That’s why I warmed up my horse well, and I have to say that this technique worked; he listened to me and everything went well. I thank my family first and foremost, my trainer Pietro Tuberga, and all my friends who support me.”

On second place in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle we find for Germany Christian Conrad and the 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding One Smart Sultan (Two Play To x Avril Smart Play). Their score was a 134.5 (67.5 rein/67 fence).

Limited Open and Open Bridle

German Nina Henny rode her 18-year-old gelding Tivios Prize (Smokum Prize x Tivios Jac) to the win in the Limited Open Bridle class with a total of 142.5 points (68 rein/74.5 fence). “I was really nervous because I knew that in the rein work he might give me a bit of a hard time, but I decided to focus on the cows. I knew he could handle that kind of cattle. I’m really happy, as this was our first big show in Italy and just our second major show together.” On Saturday Nina and his gending bring home also the Champion title in the Open Bridle class with 141.5 points (67 rein/74.5 fence).

Second place honours in the Limited Open Bridle went to another German rider Simone Fiedler placed her Ruf Kid Don’t Spook with 135 points (67 rein/68 fence). And Reserve Champion in the Open Bridle was also from German Philipp Martin Haug who rode the 8-year-old gelding Smokisticated Catt (Sophisticated Catt x Lady Smoke N Glo).

Filippo Masi Novice Riders

16-year-old Italian Riccardo Morano took the lead in the Novice Riders class with his 13-year-old gelding Tygun (Gunstar x Pidgeon Poo) with 144 points (71.5 rein/72.5 boxing). “I felt more relaxed today compared to yesterday, I felt well my horse, and I had fun.” On second place we find another Italian rider: Sara Crisci placed her Smart Theodore (SLJ Smart Doc x Sparks Rosellina) with 141.5 points (71.5 rein/70 boxing).

Two Rein

Philipp Martin Haug from Germany on DG Sirius Rey Scoot – a 6-year-old Quarter Horse stallion sired by Roany Rey and out of Smarty’s Rockin Scoot for owner Melanie Heinrich – brings home Champion title in the Two Rein Open division with 138.5 points (68.5 rein/70 fence). “It all happened a bit faster than I expected, but this was the first time I ever showed this horse in two reins. He was quite honest; he got a little tough with the cow, but in the end, he managed to do it.”

Second place honours went another time in Germany with Simone Fiedler and her 6-year-old gelding Magnetic (Chic Magnetic x Sailinspark Playgirl). 133 was their total score (66.5 rein/66.5 fence).

In the Non Pro division for Italy Giorgia Girardello took home Champion title with her 6-year-old Quarter Horse mare Girl Of Spark (Spark N Whiz x One More Whiz Girl). Their total score was a 143 (72 rein/71 fence). “This was our first experience in two-rein. I’m happy because both Giovanni Campanaro and Francesco Barbagli helped me a lot. I kept the mare close to me throughout, and I was pleased with this result. She once again proved to have a big heart.”

Reserve Champion in the Non Pro Two Rein was from Poland Daniel Kociok with his 8-year-old Paint Horse stallion Zacks Colored TR (SDP Zacks TR x JR Smart Vandal Doll) who scored a 128 (63 rein/65 fence).

Non Pro Boxing

After winning the Limited Non Pro Boxing earlier this week Spanish Raimundo Segura secured the Champion title also in the Non Pro Boxing class with his stallion ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD) and a total of 136.5 (66 rein/70 boxing). One point behind him (66 rein/69.5 boxing) from Germany Laura Stein placed her 12-year-old Paint Horse mare Gunna B Taste (Gaitling Gun x Taste of Taco).

Box Drive

The two top non-pro boxing riders swapped in the Box Drive, so the winner was Laura Stein,  who scored a total of 136 with Gunna B Taste (Gaitling Gun x Taste of Taco). “I am very happy with my horse’s performance; he did really well. I don’t think I did as good a job, but I tried, and he was very calm. I am happy and grateful to my trainer, Philipp Martin Haug, who did an excellent job with us.”

While Raimundo Segura finished second with 130 on ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD).

🖊️Provided by: © L. Ruffino

📸 Photo credits: © 8 Photo Agency