News



NRHA European Derby Ancillary Action in Lyon

October 29, 2021

Ann Fonck

Lyon, October 29–Following the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Derby Open and Non Pro Qualifiers, horses and riders who made the Finals took a day off in sunny Lyon, France, where the event presented by Markel Insurance and sponsored by NRHA Corporate Partner Cardinal Reining Horses is taking place.

Tiara Van Dongen

Friday at Equita Lyon offered the first NRHA ancillary classes. A thrilling $12,150-added NRHA Equita Lyon Grand Prix Open saw NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck take the win riding Shines Like Spook, a 2016 American Quarter Horse gelding by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Shines, owned by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner and Hall of Famer Rosanne Sternberg. The pair performed to a 223.5.

Tiara Van Dongen

With a 222 score reserve spot went to 2019 NRHA Intermediate Open World Champions Klaus Lechner and 16-year-old stallion Cody Rooster Delmaso (Ricochet Rooster x Made Of Lacy) owned by Julia Gaupmann Lechner.

Belgian Tiara Van Dongen and Mr Gun WR San Jo, a 2009 American Quarter Horse stallion by San Jo Freckles out of Smokes Covergirl, rode to a 221.5 for owner Marleen Suttels. The duo claimed first place honors in the $6,075-added Equita Lyon Grand Prix NRHA Intermediate Open presented by Elementa and $498-added Limited Open presented by Nice Horse Fashion.

Adrienne Speidel

Van Dongen also clinched the $3,770-added American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Open Chrome Cash Incentive Program presented by Arcese Quarter Horses & Gunnatrashya, aboard her second mount, Wimpy Special Gun, a 2014 double registered AQHA/APHA mare (One Gun x Ruff And Tuff Wimpy), owned by Sandra Smetsers.

Ingrid Vermeiren

Adrienne Speidel and her own ARC Walla Smart (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Please Pass The Chic) scored a 213.5 to win the $2,430-added Grand Prix NRHA Intermediate Non Pro presented by Elementa.

In the Prime Time Non Pro, first place honors were for Ingrid Vermeiren riding Spook N Ruff, a 2009 American Quarter Horse stallion by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook out of Shine On Ruff owned by CODAN NV. The duo also placed second in the Intermediate Non Pro.

Reining action will continue on Saturday, October 30, with the $6,075-added Equita Lyon Grand Prix NRHA Non Pro run concurrently with the  APHA Chrome Cash Amateur and the $498-added NRHA Limited Non Pro.

Closing the day will be the $114,000-added NRHA European Derby Open Finals presented by LL Tecnologie where the first 2021 Derby Champions will be crowned. The Non Pro Derby Finals will close the event on Sunday afternoon.

Follow the action live:
Live stream: https://equitalyon.tv/
Livescore: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=979

Photos by 2021 NRHA European Derby Official Photographer Wanted Photo

NRHA European Derby Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com