The fourth event of the show season of the European Reined Cow Horse Association has concluded in Travagliato (BS), Italy. The best horse and rider combinations from across Europe showcased their skills in the Palacittà arena for both the aged event and the horse show. Here are the winners and their statements.

NRCHA Bet Hesa Boon Pre Futurity 

Open

It was an exciting competition for the 3 and 4-year-old horses ridden with two hands in a snaffle bit. But at the end of 3 thrilling events that saw the best pairs in Europe show their abilities, the champion was crowned. Italian professional rider as well as ERCHA President Markus Schopfer and Oh Cay EasterCat (Oh Cay MC x Snapper Victoria), a 4-year-old stallion owned by Sandro Peretto, stole the show scoring a total of 221 (73.5 rein/74.5 cow/73 herd) to win the Pre Futurity Open and Limited Open. Schopfer commented during the video interview: “This was a nice show for us. Oh, Cay EasterCat is in great shape; he’s doing well. Today, I think I had a pretty good cow, and I had to show a bit of strategy on one side, but it worked out. I actually changed my basic plans, and it turned out well. He’s always with me. It takes me a bit more time to get him settled at this point, but from now on, I’m sure we’ll continue on this path. In two weeks, I will try to show him at the Austrian Reining Futurity, just like I did last year when I showed him as a 3-year-old. This will help us improve even more in the reining work.”

Reserve Championship honours in the Pre Futurity Open went to another Italian rider, Giovanni Campanaro rode Top Tuff Rey (Bet Command Rey x CR Lenas Top Tuff), 4-year-old mare owned by Carlo Mulatero, with a total of 217.5 points (70 rein/75 cow/72.5 herd).

In the Limited Open division on the second step of the podium we find from Italy Samuele Poli Barberis; under his saddle Lil Gunna R Great (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Lil Ruffles R Great) 4-year-old mare owned by Ingrid Novasconi. The total of this pair was a 215.5 (72.5 rein/72 cow/71 herd).

Italian professional Andrea Sanfelici and CLR Corona Seco Boon (Boogie Boon x Donna Secolo), 4-year-old gelding owned by Micol Fontana, closed the day in Travagliato with a 214.5 (71.5 rein/71 cow/72 herd) to win the Level 1 Open division. Sanfelici also placed second with his SA Great N Diabolik, 3-year-old Paint Horse gelding, their total was a 214 (71 rein/72 cow/71 herd).

Non Pro

Once the cow work ended, the winners of the Pre Futurity Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro were determined after posting a 211.5 (68.5 rein/72 cow/71 herd): Giulia Costelli and DG Rocky Rey Scoot, an 4-year-old gelding by Roany Rey and out of Smartys Rocky Scoot. Giulia commented just before the awards ceremony: “We obviously hoped to win this Pre Futurity; the horse has always placed in all the shows since last year. My trainer, Pietro Tuberga, continues to do an exceptional job in preparing our horses. It is a high-quality horse suited for an open rider, and so far, we have worked on the partnership to interpret it in the best way possible. Despite some uncertainty with the third cow, the part of the competition I enjoyed the most was the herd work”. 

Elena Ferrari and her 4-year-old gelding Spiderman Of Time (Woody Time x Spiderman By Night) placed second in the Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro Pre Futurity with 207.5 points (70.5 rein/73 cow/64 herd).

With a 202 (69 rein/70 box/ 63 herd), claiming the Pre Futirity Boxing division, was young rider Gloria Benassi riding her High Ret Devil (Ret Great N San x High Brown Dancer), a 4-year-old Paint Horse gelding. “Until now, I have always participated in team penning competitions, and this was our first cow horse special event. I have had this horse for about a month, so we don’t know each other very well yet, and this competition was filled with emotions but definitely rewarding. I put in my best effort to do well, and this victory was indescribable. We will participate in the Futurity in a month, and in the other ERCHA shows. I am very grateful to my horse and my trainer, Andrea Sanfelici”, commented Gloria after her runs.

Taking home Reserve Championship title was Marilena Mione aboard her 4-year-old gelding Bet Rey Light (Bet Command Rey x Just Getting Light) with 195 points (66 rein/69 box/60 herd).

NRCHA Bridle Spectacular

The bridle spectacular was an exciting competition for both the non-pros and the open participants. After a great fence work run from Switzerland Eliane Gfeller Seiler and her 9-year-old mare CR Rosie The Riveter (Woody Be Tuff x Gipsy Rose Rey) are crowned Non Pro Champions with a total of 216.5 (71 rein/72.5 cow/73 herd) points.”This mare is a fantastic horse, and she is always with me. I just need to let her do her job. It worked out pretty well. I’ve been showing her since the Futurity, and today I went in with the goal of staying calm and quiet. It turned out quite differently. I tried to stay in the saddle during the first open field turn, and she was right there with me, helping a lot. Then I got back in the saddle for another open field turn. She’s simply amazing”.

From Switzerland is also the Reserve Champions, Vera Walliser and her 8-year-old gelding CD Fortunate Son (Metallic Cat x CDS Lucky Gal) scored a 214.5 (68 rein/74.5 cow/72 herd).

Italian professional rider Giovanni Campanaro brings home Champion honours in the Open Bridle Spectacular. Under his saddle there was the 6-year-old mare Trix Aristocrat MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) owned by Matese Ranch with a total of 218.5 (71.5 rein/75 cow/ 72 herd). “Riding horses with this talent is like going for a walk; no matter what challenges arise, she is always ready. She is one of the few horses that makes you feel calm when you enter the arena, knowing she is always on your side. This was only our second competition this year. She has participated in all the Special Events since she was 3 years old, and she is extremely easy to ride. Today she confirmed to be definitely a great horse once time more”, commented Campanaro.

On second place we find another Italian rider, Samuele Poli Barberis and 14-year-old stallion Cats Got Freckles (WR This Cats Smart x Playboys Girl) scored 218 (70.5 rein/73.5 cow/74 herd) points.

NRCHA Level 1 Non Pro Bridle

From Switzerland also comes the winning pair of the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle. Vera Walliser and her 8-year-old gelding CD Fortunate Son (Metallic Cat x CDS Lucky Gal) did a schooling run as they are the only horse and rider combination in this class. “My plan was to get the lead change left to right correct and to improve my speed in the large circles and that’s way I just focused on the rein work and I didn’t push him on the cow because I have one more fence run now. It’s hot here so I try to preserve my horse”.

NRCHA Limited Open Bridle

After a season start that saw them as protagonists in every competition, from Germany Marco Breitenbach and 8-year-old gelding Pep My Kim (Star G Grand Peppy x Cream Kimberly) also won the fourth ERCHA event with a total of 133.5 (68.5 rein/65 cow). “We try to improve but this time we didn’t. We had a tuff cow and I call it before the middle marker. I’m pretty happy with the result”.

NRCHA Two Rein

German rider Kerstin Breitenbach is the winner of the Two Rein Non Pro division. Under her saddle 6-year-old Quarter Horse mare MA Liones Cat (SDP Justice Is Comin x Trust In Me Today) who scored a total of 137.5 (69.5 rein/68 cow). “She felt really good today, I could felt the control. I still need to improve but I will do step by step and I’m really really happy today”. 

ERCHA Filippo Masi Novice Riders

Young Austrian Thomas Trixner was the Champion in the Novice Riders and in the Youth Novice Riders. Between his reins there was 9-year-old mare CR Tuff Boon Pickens (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow) who marked a total of 141 (69 rein/72 cow).”I didn’t train to much for this show but I’m happy how it went and I want to say thank you to my dad Peter that borrow me his horse”. 

Reserve Champions honours in this class went to Swiss Niggi Vlach who presented 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare Chex Your Fancy Gun (Chex Your Guns x Whiz Unit Fancy) with 132.5 (65 rein/67.5 cow) points.

NRCHA Limited Non Pro Boxing – NRCHA Box Drive – NRCHA Non Pro Boxing Spectacular 

The championship title in all three categories went to the Spanish rider Raimundo Segura, who presented his 6-year-old Quarter Horse stallion ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD). Raimundo comes to Italy foe each ERCHA show and is always pleased to have fun with his horse in the boxing classes. “The heat this weekend was definitely noticeable, but I’m happy with my horse because he didn’t seem particularly affected by the weather conditions. I had fun and I’m trying to improve each time. I would like to thank my trainer, Andrea Santini, for the excellent work and for his support at every show”.

ERCHA Herdwork All Ages

Christoph Seiler from Switzerland took home the Champion title in the Open division, between his rein the 4-year-old gelding Magicdaytoremember (Mr Colonel Smart x Missys Magic Potion) owned by Eliane D. Seiler Gfeller, marked 69 points. “I am happy with the result; this is a young horse that I am preparing for the Futurity, in which it will compete with my wife Eliane. This is its first competition and also its first outing away from home. It did its job; still very green but it is improving”. On Sunday Seiler and Magicdaytoremember won also the Novice Horse Open class with 134 (68 rein/66 cow) points.

Italian Andrea Panizza and 10-year-old mare ANS Stylish Susy (More Than Stylish x ANS Wyatt Snappy) have been Champions in both Herdwork All Ages Non Pro and Non Pro Regional divisions with 70 points. “I had a great time; my horse is amazing, especially coming down the fence. I’m super happy about the whole weekend. I’m also competing with her in the regional reining championship in Emilia Romagna, and I must say she’s doing really well there, too”. This horse and rider combination bring home also the Novice Horse Non Pro Champion title with 138 points (67 rein/71 cow).

From Austria young rider Thomas Trixner and 9-year-old Quarter Horse mare CR Tuff Boon Pickens (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow) scored 67 points to won Reserve Champion title in the Herdwork All Ages Non Pro division.

🖊️Provided by: © L. Ruffino

📸 Photo credits: © 8 Photo Agency