Giarratano and The Electric Bandit Claim the ELEMENTA NRHA European Derby Non Pro Level 4 Championship on Home Turf

Lyon, November 1 — First in the draw in the second section of the $99,869-Added ELEMENTA NRHA European Derby Non Pro held at Equita Lyon, France’s Alexandre Giarratano and his stallion The Electric Bandit (Dont Miss My Guns x Electra Stop Ruff), thrilled the crowd with a powerful performance in the NRHA European Derby Non Pro Level (L) 4 Finals, taking the $41,702-Added Championship with a score of 221. As they entered the arena, cheers erupted, spurring them on to deliver a precision-perfect run. Nominated by David Roux, the 6-year-old palomino stallion and Giarratano celebrated a memorable win on home ground.

Alexandre Giarratano

“This horse never ceases to amaze me and I am thrilled with this Championship that means a lot to me. In these past two years he has given me so much and the results just kept flooding in so I really cannot say more than ‘wow, he’s amazing!’ I owe a lot of his success to my trainer, Jeffrey Touroute-Thomas, who is moving to the U.S. next year…we both will miss him, even though I wish him all the best, and we will see how things will work out.”

Level 3

Italy’s Fabio De Iulio followed his qualifying round success by riding his 8-year-old stallion RS Cronos Jac (RS Great Jac Feona x RS Shadow Olena) nominated by Claudio Risso to victory in the $26,535-added L3 Non Pro Championship. The crowd-favorite scored a 218.5, capturing the title as well as the L4 Reserve-Championship adding yet another achievement to RS Cronos Jac’s record. “My horse [RS Cronos Jac] was a little tired tonight but, as always, he tried to perform to the best of his ability. He’s won a lot this year and I’m so proud of him even though of course I would have loved to win the Level 4 as well! I’m really happy with my second horse, Gunnaroostyah, who was super special too; in my mind our score was higher than a 216.5 when I was done with my last maneuver, but the judges were all on the same page so I guess that’s what my run was worth. We did however ride to the L3 Co-Reserve Championship and also tied for fourth place in the L4.”

Fabio De Iulio

Level 2

Belgium’s Bo Brutsaert achieved an unexpected win on her 6-year-old mare KB Cut The Cuteness (CJ Whiz x KB Jenny Whiz A Gun), owned and nominated by her father Koen Brutsaert. Their impressive run earned a 216.5 score, tying for the $20,025-Added L2 Non Pro Championship, the L3 Co-Reserve Championship, and tying for fourth place in the L4. Brutsaert expressed her surprise: “I didn’t expect our run to go this well tonight. My mare really pulled it together.” With a possible sale on the horizon, Brutsaert plans to show the talented mare in future derbies if she remains in her family-owned stable.

Bo Brutsaert

Level 1

Israeli rider Dean Raichel and his mare, Voodoo Flo Jo (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Very Smart Flo Jo), who he nominated, made an impressive debut in France tying for the L2 Championship, clinching the $11,606-added L1 Championship, earning the L3 Co-Reserve Championship with a score of 216.5. “My mare was amazing today, giving her all,” Raichel shared proudly. He acquired the mare four years ago, competing successfully in Israel before bringing her to Europe for breeding. “She’s an incredible mare with a great mind and heart. Tonight, even though she was a bit nervous, she focused and delivered.” Raichel now considers the next step for Voodoo Flo Jo, who will be bred in Europe.

Dean Raichel

Verena Rigott of Italy rode her 6-year-old Great Gotta Whiz (NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shirleys Cashin In), nominated by Ambrosini Quarter Horses ASD, to the second highest score of 215, claiming the L1 Reserve Championship.

In the $2,200-Added Youth Non Pro Derby presented by NRHA France, Belgian Jody Fonck and her 5-year-old mare MT Okies Sweetnes (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Okies Eldorado), nominated by Imelda Maria Maertens, impressed with a 218 score, claiming the European Non Pro Youth Derby Championship. Praising her mare’s reliability, Fonck said, “She’s an incredible mare with huge stops, and tonight’s ride was so much fun.” With plans to move to the USA in January to join NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary’s team, Fonck is considering whether to bring her mare along or find her a new home. Martina Zeni and Luca Zeni’s owned and nominated 5-year-old stallion RZ SG (SG Frozen Enterprize x Rz Filina Whiz) scored a 211 for the Reserve Championship.

Jody Fonck

Chrome Cash

Representing Great Britain, Francesca Sternberg and her 8-year-old gelding, Red Dirt Paleface (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Lost In Tinseltown), showcased American Paint Horse prowess in the $1,250-added APHA Chrome Cash Incentive L4 Non Pro Derby Championship with a score of 213.5. “This is his last year of derbies, and he gave his all today,” Sternberg shared, fondly recalling her gelding’s gentle, affectionate nature. She plans to continue competing with him in Ranch Riding classes and pursue a World title.

Francesca Sternberg

Ancillary Action

Earlier in the day, Austrian Nadja Hammer topped the $495-added LL Technologie NRHA Grand Prix Limited Open with a score of 216 aboard Mercedes Rooster (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Cromed Out Mercedes x Rooster Ata Party), owned by Rafal Dolata. The 12-year-old stallion, formerly owned by NRHA Professional Jonáš Bujnoch, returned to Lyon, marking a successful run since winning the NRHA European Derby L1 Open in 2018 with Bujnoch in the saddle.

Saturday’s Schedule

The $3,850-added NRHA Grand Prix Intermediate Non Pro will kick off Saturday’s events followed by the highly anticipated $182,360-Added NRHA European Derby Open Finals as well as the second European qualifier for The Run For A Million 2025 Million Dollar Championship, the richest event in the history of reining which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 11-16 next year.

Photos by Wanted Photos

Follow the Action Live: nrhaeuropeanderby.com/live

More Information: NRHAEUROPEANDERBY.com | EQUITALYON.com

Media Contact
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
Email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com