$208,000-Added NRHA European Derby: The Open Qualifier Thrills the Crowd

The 2022 NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) European Derby Open qualifier took place at Equita Lyon today with 117 horse-and-rider combinations vying for a spot in the Finals which will be held on Saturday, October 29.

NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck of Belgium went last in the pen today. After a thrilling run, Fonck and her mount GP A Spook In Town (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Spook N Perla) were awarded a 224.5 score by the judges. The six-year-old stallion owned by Golden Paint Ranch was previously shown by Ann’s husband, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Bernard Fonck.

“Bernard gave me a long list of things to do and not to do, and that was what I was thinking coming in the pen, but I remembered everything,” said a smiling Fonck. “It is so much different when you show a horse that you don’t know; I showed him a few times before, did some schooling as well as an Open class so I could feel him under pressure and he was nice, so I think I figured out where the buttons were. Today, he was honest and relaxed like he just didn’t care he was showing.”

Arnaud Girinon and Honey First Gunny (NRHA Thirteen Million Dollar Sire Gunner x ARC Honey Chick), owned by Società Agricola Le Fattorie di Matilde, set the bar in Section 1 and walked out of the pen with a 223.5. Their score held through Section 2 until the very last run.

The French Professional was excited about his run. “I just got the stallion in training this year. He hasn’t been shown much, but so far I am very happy with him. He is a very consistent horse, so I am very excited for the future.” The 7-year-old stallion was bred and raised by Vittorio Rabboni and Girinon shared some future plans for the horse. “Vittorio and I are talking about taking him overseas next year for The Run For A Million qualifier. It is not sure yet, but he is so talented, he deserves the chance.” Girinon and Honey First Gunny also topped the APHA Chrome Cash Incentive L4 qualifier.

German Dominik Reminder and Call Me Mr Voodoo (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x ARC Sassy Snapper), owned by Elisabetta Zoccarato, performed a stellar run in Section 2 and matched Girinon’s score. Their run also brought them the lead in L3. “I was really happy with our ride today. He showed me everything he can do and was really energetic both in the mind and body,” said Reminder about the eight-year-old stallion who he’s had in training for six years. “He was in the breeding station until the end of July so easy riding was what he needed to do what he did today.”

French Professional Quentin Galliere showed Sharon De Groot’s Tinsel Whizington (Tinsel Jac x Conquistador Sis) to a score of 220 to lead the L2. Johannes Heil and Gunnanicya MM JB (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x The Knick Nic) closed their run with a 219.5 for owner Christina Lenz to top the L1.

LL Technologie Novice Horse Open Derby
26 horse-and-rider combinations entered the inaugural LL Technologie Novice Horse Open Derby in Lyon. Belgian Kim Obenhaus rode Anja De Raet’s AJ Allstar Whiz (CJ Whiz x Select A Star) to a 218.5 score for the lead.

The day closed with the finalist draw party offered by GL Events, where finalists picked up their spot for tomorrow’s Non Pro Finals as well as Saturday’s Open Finals.

Non Pro Bubble Scores
Level 4 – 214
Level 3 – 214
Level 2 – 212.5
Level 1 – 210.5
Churros Youth Derby – 212.5
Gunna Sparkle Novice Horse Non Pro – 208.5
APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Non Pro L4 – 209

Open Bubble Scores
Level 4 – 219.5
Level 3 – 217
Level 2 – 214.5
Level 1 – 211
LL Technologie Novice Horse Open – 212.5
APHA Open L4 – 219

Special thanks to the 2022 NRHA European Derby Sponsors:

GL Events
NRHA Corporate Partner Markel Equine, Official Insurance Partner of NRHA
NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Ranch
NRHA Corporate Partner Toyon Ranch
NRHA Corporate Partner Clark’s Pump-N-Shop
LL Tecnologie
ELEMENTA
Quarter Dream
Gunna Sparkle
DeNiro Boot Co.
Nice
Churros.com
APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Program

A full-slate of NRHA approved ancillary classes will be offered during the show starting tomorrow morning. Highlighting ancillary action will be the $7,958.37-Added ELEMENTA Non Pro Grand Prix, held on Saturday, 29 October, and the $11,369-Added ELEMENTA Open Grand Prix which will close this year’s edition on Sunday, 30 October.

Follow the webcast here: https://vimeo.com/event/2534512
Follow the live score here: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1175

For further information: NRHAEUROPEANDERBY.com

Photos by Wanted Photo Press

NRHA European Derby Media Contact:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
Cell: +39 340 5354629