The first show of the season for ERCHA/NRCHA took place in Travagliato (BS), Italy. The best European horse and rider combinations competed in both the special event Spring Stakes and in the championship classes for the first leg.
ERCHA/NRCHA Spring Stakes
First aged event of European Reined Cow Horse Association season is Spring Stakes reserved to 4-5 year-old horses showed two handed in snaffle bit.
Italian professional rider Andrea Sanfelici and CLR Corona Seco Boon (Boogie Boon x Donna Secolo) owned by Micol Fontana bring home Champion title in the Spring Stakes Open, Limited Open and Level 1 Open divisions thanks to a score of 218 (72/73/73). “I have been riding this horse since April 2023, and from the moment I started riding him, I realized he had talent. He has a big heart and always tries to do his best. Last year at the Futurity, we managed to make it to the finals, and then we participated in a regional Reining Futurity where we surprisingly won all four levels. This year, we will continue with cow Horse special events. His strong point is definitely rein work with good spins and excellent stops, but he also has a great cow sense. I thank his owner Micol and my entire team for the support they have given me”.
Reserve Champion in the Open division is Giovanni Campanaro aboard Smart Dun So Good (Smart Easy Deal x Wrangler Dun So Good) owned by Martina Morando, 212 was their total score (66/70/76). While in the Limited Open second place went to Markus Schopfer and Oh Cay Easter Cat (Oh Cay MC x Snapper Victoria) for owner Sandro Peretto and 211.5 score (70/70.5/71). Luigi Di Felice and DN Dual Rey Ogrady (Dual On Command x Lena Ogrady) owned by Alessandro Del Nibletto took home reserve champion honours in the Level 1 Open with 210 points (70/70/70).
Same ranking in the Spring Stakes Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro: Claudio Ferrami and his CD Sailor Light (DG CD Dualote Light x Miss Frozen Lenas) are Champions with 209.5 points (69/69.5/71). “The event that I liked the most was rein work because I felt the mare always with me. Now we will definitely participate in the Derby and also in the Hackamore where I hope to do well because I have never won a competition like this before. I thank all the people who have been close to me these days, but the victory is for Federico Fanti, I hope he is proud of us”.
Spring Stakes Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro second place honours went to Italy with Elena Ferrari and Spiderman of Time (Woody Time x Spiderman By Night) with 206.5 score (65/68.5/73).
Spring Stakes Boxing Champions are from Italy Sara Crisci and Smart Theodore (SLJ Smart Doc x Sparks Rosellina) took the lead with 203 points (64/69/70). “Surely it’s a horse that I know and that can perform well, especially in the herd work. I plan to present him at the Derby and maybe even try going down the fence in some regional competitions. I thank my trainer Andrea Sanfelici and the entire team at the Zoo Ranch, but also and above all my parents for this achievement. This is the first special event that we win and I am very happy!”
With the same score (64/69/70) on second step of the podium we find Marcello Maritano also form Italy aboard The Red Catfish (Sannman x Belinda Starlight).
ERCHA/NRCHA Bridle Spectacular
The first stage of the Special Event called Bridle Spectacular took place in Travagliato and in the Open division champion title went to Italy with Markus Schopfer and Peptos Lil Bingo (Peptoboonsmall x Conchita gay Bingo), 207 their score (69/68/70).
While in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular there was the return of Ilaria Traverso and Player Cat (Smooth As A Cat x Dual Play Shorty), this horse and rider combination bring home the first position with a 211 score (71/68/72): “I have felt my horse well after two years away from competitions due to an injury. In the herd work, we could have done more but I am still happy and down the fence we just enjoy our run. I have to thank my horse first of all and Ricky Bordignon who trained him for this discipline, as well as my dad Sergio and Federico Fanti who give me the extra push from above to face the competition”.
The Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular saw on the first step of the podium from Spain Raimundo Segura and his ANS Mokie Vaquero with 190 points (60/68/62).
ERCHA Herdwork All Ages
In the Herdwork All Ages Open class the winner is Giovanni Campanaro aboard Henry Royal Rey (Roany Rey x Mariah Pep) with a score of 72. Reserve Champion one point behind the winner are Sara Casalini and Gunner On Line (Shine On Line x Shyawhiz), this combination won the Regional division.
Regarding Herdwork All Ages Non Pro on top we find from Switzerland Shirley Schalcher and her Just Metallic Light (Sannman x Just Getting Light) with 69 points, following on second position is Marco Breitenbach with Pep My Kim (Star G Grand Peppy x Cream Kimberly) and the score of 68.
ERCHA/NRCHA Hackamore
Took the lead in the Open Hackamore are Italian professional rider Samuele Poli and Hottish Desires (Hottish x Desire Kitty Cat), 140.5 points is their score (70/70.5). “It wasn’t in my plans to participate in this category, but then I thought it could be useful and I have to say that the horse performed very well”.
On the second step of the podium Mattia Maurizi presented ANS Mokie Thunder (Ans Mokie Cat x ANS Wyatt Snappy) with 134.5 (69.5/65).
In the Non Pro division from Germany Sabine Brasche aboard Lil Catorella took the lead with a score of 134 (67/67). “This is the fourth filly of my historical mare Lil Peptorella, and that her first show of the season went well. I have good plans for her and this is a nice start in NRCHA competitions”. Swiss Shirley Schalcher and Just Metallic Light are reserve champions.
ERCHA Novice Horse
On top of the Novice Horse Open are Italian professional rider Alessandro Coppari who presented his Stylish Icy Gunna (More Than Stylish x Icy Callya) and got a 139.5 score (70.5/69): “Today we won, but I am not completely satisfied because I know that this horse can do better. Unfortunately, I did not have much time to train him properly, but it is still a good start to the season”. Second position in this division for Mattia Maurizi and ANS Mokie Thunder with 136.5 (69.5/67).
Novice Horse Non Pro Champions are Italians Andrea Ambrogiani and Top Star All Dun (Billy All Dun x Tops O Lena Star) with 139 points (70/69). “I am extremely happy about this result and today I had a lot of fun. I am sharing these moments with my family and I have to thank my trainer Alessandro Coppari who prepared the horse perfectly. I don’t have much time to ride because of my job, so this victory has a special meaning to me”. Reserve Champion in this class is from Germany Ronald Fiedler with The Big Lebowsky between the reins and 132.5 points (Jac O Rima x Joes Prescription).
ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Non Pro Boxing
The winner is Spanish Raimundo Segura and ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD). “For this result, I have to thank my trainer Andrea Santini who has done an excellent job with my horse and despite my distance from Italy, we are able to pursue this great passion of mine. I am definitely happy with this result and my plans include going down the fence when I will be ready”.
ERCHA/NRCHA Level 1 Non Pro Bridle
With a 142.5 (69.5/73) the Champions in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle are from Switzerland Vera Walliser and her CD Fortunate Son (Metallic Cat x CDS Lucky Gal). “This was the first time I did a rein work with the run in, I am happy with the result and I hope to continue like this for the whole season”.
Klaus Raucher and his Chics Electric Spark (Jacs Electric Spark x Smart Chic Ohoney) thanks to the score of 138.5 (69/69.5) took the reserve champion title in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle but also the champion title in the Non Pro Bridle Regional and in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle. “Today I felt pretty good, we had a good run and we did an awesome job I think. I want to say thank you for sure to my wife Sophie, she always support me in the best way possible. This year we will come back in Italy for the other ERCHA show”. Second position in both divisions went to Monica Bocchia aboard Shootaskull (Tinker With Guns x CF Masterfrecklesone) with 131.5 points (66.5/65).
ERCHA/NRCHA Limited Open Bridle
Sophie Paucker and Smoky Surprise won the Limited Open Bridle class with a 136.5 score (67.5/69). “It’s the very first show of the year and I’m happy with the result. I want to show him on other ERCHA shows. Thanks to my husband Klaus because he is always there and without him we couldn’t make this for sure”. Half point behind 136 (66/70) on the second step of the podium from Germany Marco Breitenbach aboard Pep My Kim (Star G Grand Peppy x Cream Kimberly).
ERCHA Filippo Masi Novice Riders
Son of art and from Italy Michael Schopfer and Peptos Lil Bingo (Peptoboonsmall x Conchita Gay Bingo) took the lead in the Filippo Masi Novice Riders class. “I have decided to present this horse because in addition to being a great cow horse, it is very nice to ride and challenges me. Today in the arena I felt comfortable, I had a good reining pattern despite one extra spin, in boxing he was just as good. My plans for this year include completing all the ERCHA stages but also presenting Peptos in a pure reining competition. I want to say thank you to my father Markus but also to Alessandro Dezzutto who gives me good advices for the show”.
ERCHA/NRCHA Two Rein
In the Open Two Rein Italian professional riders Giovanni Campanaro was the champion aboard Henry Royal Rey (Roany Rey x Mariah Pep) owned by Lorenzo Colombo. This horse and rider combination scored a 147 (71.5/75.5). “The owners of this horse have decided to follow a program to make a bridle horse, not rushing the process. This was a schooling show for us because the last year he was shown in non pro, he behaved very well I must say”.
On second position placed also from Italy Andrea Sanfelici with Boomer Little Uno (Mister Little Uno x Make A Boom) between the rein, 139.5 is their score (72.5/67).
German Kerstin Breitenbach and MA Liones Cat (SDP Justice Is Comin x Trust In Me Today) won the Non Pro Two Rein division with a 123 (60/63). “This was my first show on bridle with this horse so I’m really really happy, I know that I made some mistakes but I know where I have to work”.
ERCHA/NRCHA Box Drive
The winner in the Box Drive was Spanish Raimundo Segura aboard his ANS Mokie Vaquero (ANS Mokie Cat x Junes Little CD) thanks to a 131.5 total score (65.5/66). While in the Box Drive Regional division the leader is German Ronald Fiedler and The Big Lebowski (Jac O Rima x Joes Prescription) with 133 points (66/67). “This is the first time of the year for me in Travagliato, today I think we did enough clever despite some mistakes in the rein work. I want to say thank you to my wife Simone and to my horse Dude, he’s 21 year old and he is a professor. Here we have the best conditions possible to show in the cow horse and I enjoy to come in Italy”.
📸Photo credits: @8photoagency
