2024 ERCHA/NRCHA SNAFFLEBIT FUTURITY AND NATIONS CUP

We are thrilled to announce the results of the highly anticipated ERCHA/NRCHA Metallic Cat Snafflebit Futurity, regarded as the premier event of the year in the reined cow horse European community. This year’s competition was particularly special, as it also featured the prestigious Nations Cup, where riders showcased their exceptional skills and the undeniable bond between horse and rider on an international stage.

The Metallic Cat Snafflebit Futurity has long been a highlight in the equestrian calendar, drawing talented competitors and passionate spectators alike. As we celebrate the remarkable performances that this event embodies, we look forward to sharing the outstanding achievements of this year’s participants.

Metallic Cat Snafflebit Futurity

Open and Limited Open

It was a great afternoon on Saturday, September 14th. The audience filled the stands, and they were able to witness the outstanding performances of the pairs competing for the championship title in the finals. The title of Snafflebit Futurity Open Champion 2024 has been awarded to the duo consisting of the Italian professional rider and President of the ERCHA, Markus Schopfer, and Oh Cay EasterCat. A 4-year-old stallion sired by Oh Cay MC and out of Snapper Victoria owned by Sandro Peretto. Schopfer and “Mario” (this is the nickname of the talented roan stallion) took home the victory with a total of 441 in the final (147.5 rein/144 herd/149.5 cow). It is interesting to know that Markus won the Snafflebit Futurity ERCHA in 2019 riding the father of Oh Cay EasterCat (Oh Cay MC), while he rode the mother Snapper Victoria to win the Cutting Futurity in 2005. “Mario has grown a lot and this year he has demonstrated his skills. I am very happy with this result, especially for his owner and breeder, my dear friend Sandro Peretto. The emotions have been many and very strong.” This is the immediate comment from the Futurity Open Champion 2024.

The second place in the Open division went to Giovanni Campanaro, who presented the 4-year-old mare Top Tuff Rey (Bet Command Rey x CR Lenas Top Tuff) owned by Carlo Mulatero. This pairing achieved a total of 440.5 points (146.5 rein/152 cow/142 herd) in the final.

Level 1 Open

On Thursday, the Champion of the Metallic Cat Snafflebit Futurity Level 1 Open was determined after an exciting cow work competition. The winner, with a total score of 435 (142 rein/147 cow/146 herd), was Italian rider Pietro Soragni, who, riding the 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Tequila Boon Cat (Boogie Boon x Carmelita Cat), marked an excellent 147 down the fence. “I was aiming for something more in reining; in the herd work, however, we scored a 146, which allowed us to return to the standings, and today we achieved a 147 down the fence, which I definitely didn’t expect. I am very satisfied with my horse, who has improved significantly over the last month, and we have managed to form a true partnership. We have also qualified for the Open final. I would like to thank everyone who helped me prepare for this competition: Francesco Barbagli for reining, Andrea Sanfelici and Andrea Favaretto, but above all Federico Fanti, who left us too soon, and with whom Tequila Boon Cat had won the ERCHA Pre Futurity.” During the Open Finals on Saturday Pietro Soragni and Tequila Boon Cat cliched the Reserve Champions title in the Limited Open division with a total score of 439 (143.5 rein/152 cow/143 herd).

The Reserve Champion in the Level 1 division was Andrea Sanfelici, who presented CLR Corona Seco Boon (Boogie Boon x Donna Secolo), a 4-year-old gelding owned by Micol Fontana. This pair finished with a total score of 432.5 (147 rein/137.5 cow/148 herd).

Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro

The undisputed dominator of the divisions reserved for non-professional riders has been the young Italian Anna Rodriguez. Riding her two horses, Anna scored the same total of 430 points. However, the winner was the 3-year-old gelding Sweet Like A Pepper owned by her father Carlos Rodriguez, who had the best fence work (137 rein/147.5 cow/145.5 herd). Meanwhile, the 4-year-old mare Miss Corona Time (RR Doc Sugar Time x Miss Lady) owned by Carlos Rodriguez, under the reins of the determined young rider, finished with the title of Reserve Champion (138 rein/146 cow/146 herd). “It’s a great satisfaction for me and my whole family, especially for my father, who has fully trained my two horses. I felt intense emotions but also a lot of tension, and with the cheering of the people, I gained an extra boost that allowed me to step it up.”

Non Pro Boxing

Among the 6 participants in the Non Pro Boxing division of the Metallic Cat Snafflebit Futurity 2024, the winner was the Italian Silvia Manfredi, competing for the first time in this event. Silvia successfully presented her 4-year-old mare Sparkly Reminds Cat (Cats Got Freckles x CH Miss Remi Chex), finishing with a total score of 406.5 (131.5 rein/132 box/143 herd). “My horse is very simple and she is a typical horse for a non-professional rider. I just love her and the way she does her job. My favorite event was the herd work, where we scored 143 points! I hope to continue growing in the future.”

Reserve Champions title with a total of 403.5 (136.5 rein/141 box/126 herd) went to Italian Gloria Benassi who presented her 4-year-old Paint Horse gelding High Ret Devil (Ret Great N San x High Brow Dancer).

Post Futurity

The post-futurity is a novelty of the ERCHA 2024 competitive season, where 5-year-old horses ridden with two hands in a snaffle are allowed. In the Non Pro Boxing division, Boris Ramp from Switzerland took first place. Under his reins was the 5-year-old mare Just Metallic Light (Sannman x Just Getting Light), owned by Shirley Schalcher. This pairing triumphed with a total score of 400.5 (133.5 rein/140 box/127 herd). “It’s special that I can ride this great mare in the Post Futurity; I’ve never participated in a herd work event before. The rein work could be better, but we’re doing okay. I think my girlfriend, Shirley, will let me ride Jest Metallic Light again for next year’s Derby. I want to thank Giovanni Campanaro, our trainer, and of course, Shirley.”

Second position went again to Switzerland with Niggi Vlach and her 5-year-old mare Chex Your Fancy Guns (Chex Your Guns x Whiz Dunit Fancy).

Nations Cup Individual

In the Nations Cup Individual competition the podium was entirely occupied by Italy with just one point between the riders. With the victory going to Markus Schopfer and Bet Command Rey, this duo brought home a total of 434.5 points (145.5 herd/140 rein/149 cow). Bet Command Rey is a 10-year-old stallion sired by Dual On Command and out of Dots My Bet owned by Green Mountain Quarter Horses. On the second step of the podium we found Giovanni Campanaro, between his reins the 6-year-old mare Trix Aristocratic MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) owned by Matese Ranch, who marked a total of 434 points (141.5 herd/143 rein/149 cow). In third position Sara Casalini placed the 6-year-old gelding Gunner On Line (Shine On Line x Shyawhiz) owned by Giovanni Conti. Their total score was a 433.5 (145 herd/141.5 rein/147 cow).

Nations Cup Teams

The seventh edition of the ERCHA Nations Cup has concluded once again with a victory for Italy. The Italy team, made up of: Giovanni Campanaro with Trix Aristocratic MR (434 points), Sara Casalini aboard Gunner On Line (433.5 points), Samuele Poli Barberis and Cats Got Freckles (431.5 points), Markus Schopfer with Bet Command Rey (434.5 points), won with a big total of 1.309 points. On the second step of the podium, we find Switzerland with a total of 1,271 points. The Swiss team was composed as follows: Antonie Cloux and Wares The Nurse (429.5 points), Shirley Schalcher with DG Little Rey Merada (423 points), Eliane D. Seiler Gfeller aboard CR Rosie The Riveter (413.5 points) and Christoph Seiler with Chics Smart Colonel (404 points). While on third position placed Team Germany with 1.270.5 points and represented by: Maik Bartmann with Mr Joker Cat (272 points), Sabine Brasche and Bet Hesa Wildcat (423 points), Marco Breitenbach aboard VR Lolita Pep (416.5 points), Patrick Sattler with Just ShiningSparkle (430 points).

Bridle Spectacular

In the Open Bridle Spectacular the first two places went to Italy thanks to the performance of Markus Schopfer and Bet Command Rey, first classified with a great total score of 434.5 (145.5 herd/140 rein/149 cow). Bet Command Rey is a 10-year-old Quarter Horse stallion owned by Green Mountain Quarter Horses. On second position Giovanni Campanaro placed the 6-year-old mare Trix Aristocratic MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) owned by Matese Ranch with a 434 (141.5 herd/143 rein/149.5 cow) just half a point behind the winners.

The division reserved for non professional riders at the Bridle Spectacular saw the dominance of Switzerland’s Shirley Schalcher, who secured first place with a total of 423 points (136 herd/142 rein/145 cow) on the 10-year-old stallion DG Little Rey Merada (Roany Rey x Lenas Smart Merada). The Reserve Champion title went to Italy’s Sarah Destefanis, who earned 422 points with her 10-year-old mare Hot As Wasabi (Little Dulces Rey x Whirlacat).

In the Non Pro Boxing Spectacular the Champion from Czech Republic was Petra Mikasova aboard 16-year-old mare Chelsea Little Bar (Little Red Jay x Cheetah Peppy Zippo) who marked a 410 total score (139 herd/133.5 rein/137.5 box). “I’m really happy with this result and come here in Italy is great for us! Next year I want to breed my mare because she deserves it at all!”

Two Rein

From Germany Philipp Martin Haug took the lead with 7-year-old gelding Smokisticated Catt (Sophisticated Catt x Lady Smoke N Glo) owned by Masha Stein, their total score was a 258.5 (120.5 rein/138 cow). “This horse wasn’t that great at rein work, but I like his fence work more and more. It’s our first time competing in Italy together, and I’m happy with his results.” Kerstin Breitenbach from Germany and her MA Liones Cat were crowned Champions in the Non Pro division with a score of 259 (138 rein/121 cow). “I’m really happy with the rein work, she felt good she stumbled a little bit in the last stop but was ok. With the cow the boxing was nice then we went down the fence, it was ok but then the first turn we had some troubles coming back closed to the cow. Still need to work on that part!”

Filippo Masi Novice Riders

Triumphing in the Novice Riders and Youth Novice Riders was the young Italian rider Riccardo Morano. Ricky presented his 12-year-old gelding Tygun (Gunstar x Pidgeon Poo), achieving a score of 272 (130 rein/142 cow). “Today I felt my horse well; with two hands, I have more control and I’m very happy with the boxing. I did a good warm-up, and that helped me in the competition. I’m satisfied despite a few mistakes in the rein work.” Reserve Champions title in the Novice Riders were Swiss Niggi Vlach and 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare Chex Your Fancy Guns (Chex Your Guns x Whiz Dunit Fancy) with a total of 253.5 (122 rein/131.5 cow).

While in the Youth Novice Riders division Reserve Champion title went to Austrian Thomas Trixner, with CR Tuff Boon Pickens (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow).

Hackamore

On the first step of the podium in the Open Hackamore, we find the German Philipp Martin Haug and the 5-year-old stallion DG Sirius Rey Scoot (Roany Rey x Smartys Rockin Scoot) with a score of 276.5 (142 rein/134.5 cow). “I’m really happy with him; he did a good job with the rein work, and he is strong yet honest with the cow.”

The second position in the Open Hackamore but also the Champion title in the Non Pro Hackamore went to Swiss Shirley Schalcher and her 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare Just Metallic Light (Sannman x Just Getting Light) with 275.5 points (140 rein/135.5 cow). Reserve Champion honors in the Non Pro division went to German Jan Luca Waizenegger who rode his 3-year-old gelding Elta Buccaneer (Super Little Chic x Einsteins Senorita) and a total of 254.5 (129.5 rein/125 cow).

Limited Open Bridle

With a draw entirely from Germany taking the lead in the Limited Open Bridle standings, the professional rider Johanna Raab emerged at the top. Between her reins was the 8-year-old mare Super Little Taylor (Super Little Chic x Taylors Bucky), who scored a total of 279.5 (141 rein/138.5 cow). “I have known my mare since she was a baby, and I have trained her myself. I competed in reining before, and for the past three years, I have been working with cow. She has the biggest heart ever; every time I enter the show arena, she gives me everything. We were fortunate with the cow because it was fast and very challenging, which was perfect for her. I’m planning to breed her next year because I want many babies from her.” In second place, Maik Bartmann finished with 9-year-old stallion Mr Joker Cat (Sophisticated Catt x Lady Smoke N Glo) owned by Stephan Goeb, with a total of 267 (136.5 rein/130.5 cow).

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle

The winner of the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle class comes from Germany. Sylvia Bate and her 7-year-old Paint Horse mare First Cats Got Luck (Cats Got Freckles x Latexa Glo) scored 279.5 (137 rein/142.5 cow) to secure the bronze trophy in this category. “Today I felt no pressure, so I just had fun and let her run to see what she would do. My plans are to show her in bridle spectaculars, and I enjoy participating in herd work events. I might also try to attend some simple NCHA shows.” Reserve Champions in this class were from Switzerland Vera Walliser and 8-year-old gelding CD Fortunate Son (Metallic Cat x CDS Lucky Gal) with 273 points (135.5 rein/137.5 cow).

Limited Non Pro Boxing and Box Drive

On Thursday, the Limited Non Pro Boxing class took place while the Box Drive on Friday. The winner, Raimundo Segura from Spain, competed with his 6-year-old stallion ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD). Their total score of 267.5 (126 rein/141 box) in the Limited Non Pro Boxing allowed them to take first place. “I am happy with today’s result. I think my horse has improved a lot thanks to the excellent work of my trainer, Andrea Santini, whom I would like to thank once again.” Raimundo and ANS Mokie Vaquero bring home also Reserve Champion title in the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular with 408 points (131 rein/141 cow/136 herd). Reserve Champions was young Austrian rider Thomas Trixner who presented 9-year-old mare CR Tuff Boon Pickens (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow) with a total of 261 points (133 rein/128 box)

Herdwork All Ages

The winner of the Herdwork All Ages Open competition scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, was the German rider Patrick Sattler, riding the 9-year-old Quarter Horse mare Justa ShiningSparkle (Sharp Dressed Shiner x Justa Little Slipper) owned by Sylvia Bate, who achieved a score of 142 points. “I know that this mare is quite good at the herd work and in preparing for the Nations Cup competition. If there is anything that needs to be fixed, I can take care of it. I trained a lot last year in cutting with the help of Rob Gerrits, and now I believe we are both better.” In second place, tied, were two riders: from Germany, Philipp Martin Haug with DG Sirius Rey Scoot (Roany Rey x Smartys Rockin Scoot), a 5-year-old stallion owned by Andreas Braeuer, and from Italy, Markus Schopfer with the 7-year-old stallion Dark Ice (Gunner On Ice x Smart Blue Frost) owned by Mattia Canella. Both finished with a score of 138 points.

The title of Champion in the Herdwork All Ages Non Pro division went once again to Germany, this time represented by Sabine Brasche, who scored 140 points with her 7-year-old gelding Bet Hesa Wildcat (Bet Hesa Cat x Lil Peptorella). “I want to prepare for the herd work of the Nations Cup competition and gain more experience. I believe my horse could perform better if I improved my skills in herd work.” In second place, we find Austria’s Peter Trixner with the 5-year-old Kitty Can Dew (WR This Cats Smart x Dew It Flo), scoring 135 points.