Girinon Triumphs at NRHA European Derby Open and Qualifies for The Run For A Million 2025 Million Dollar Competition

Lyon, November 2 – The sold-out Oklahoma Arena was electric on Saturday night as 62 Open Finalists competed in the $182,361-Added NRHA European Derby Open Finals. With just one horse-rider combination left in the second section, the pressure was on for French rider Arnaud Girinon and his striking 5-year-old palomino, Flexing Guns N Town. The score to beat was a 228 scored by Germany’s Nina Lil; without hesitation, Girinon delivered a breathtaking performance that earned him a score of 230 from the judges.

Arnaud Girinon

Flexing Guns N Town, a stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown out of Shesa Fashion Gun, owned and nominated by Anna Maria Scheiflinger, arrived at the 30th edition of Equita Lyon with $74,758 LTE. The duo claimed the $82,612-Added Level (L)4 European Derby Open Championship and clinched the ticket for The Run For A Million (TRFAM) 2025 Million Dollar Championship. The $11,000-Added TRFAM Qualifier, featuring 13 entries, precedes the prestigious event set for August 11-16, 2025, in Las Vegas. Additionally, Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town took home the $1,250-added APHA Chrome Cash Incentive L4 Open Derby Championship.

Arnaud Girinon

“Today was just amazing. We have been working toward this success with this horse for so long. We were Reserve Champions three times in previous derbies, missing out by just half a point each time. Tonight, everything fell into place,” Girinon shared. Reflecting on the TRFAM qualification, he added: “This achievement is incredibly emotional for me. It’s the kind of success you dream of, and I knew my horse was capable of it—he truly deserved this. Qualifying in my home country, surrounded by family, made this victory even more special.”

Nina Lil showcased a stellar run aboard Jewel Dream, a 5-year-old mare by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of GR Hug A Jewel. Owned by Martin Bachmann and nominated by Edoardo Bernardelli, the pair scored a 228 to claim the NRHA European Derby L4 Reserve Championship, the $47,222-Added L3 Championship, and the $34,565-Added L2 Championship.

Nina Lil

“She’s an incredible mare, capable of earning pluses on every maneuver. I didn’t expect such a standout run, but she was flawless today,” said Lil, who has trained the mare for a year. “Dominik Reminder initially started her, followed by Davide Brighenti and then the reins passed on to me last year. I also trained and showed her dam and they share similar qualities: an exceptional mind and great stops. I’m excited for her future offspring and she already has one foal on the ground. We look forward to many more.”

Anne Grether of the Netherlands claimed the L3 and L2 Reserve Championships aboard RS Reininghorses BV’s Tr Voodoo Doll (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Wallawhizagun) with a score of 220.5. The 6-year-old mare was nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC.

Anne Grether

Germany’s Jasmin Andersdotter rode Sparkling And Spooky, a 5-year-old gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Spook, to a 216 score to secure the $17,961-Added L1 Open Championship during the first section of the Finals. The horse was bred and nominated by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Rosanne Sternberg and is owned by Alina Sira Herzlinger.

Jasmin Andersdotter

“This was my last year competing in the Level 1 so winning a Level 1 Championship was my goal. Achieving this at the final show of the season makes it even more meaningful,” Andersdotter said. “I’ve shown him since last year’s futurities, and this year, we never missed a final. I’m proud of him—he’s amazing.”

Denmark’s Patrick Capobianco and Voodoo Majestic Gun (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Gunna Be Majestic), a 7-year-old gelding owned by Cecilie Lyndrup and nominated by Quarter Dream Srl, earned the L1 Reserve Championship with a score of 215.5.

Patrick Capobianco

Ancillary Action

Austrian rider Nadja Hammer, paired with Rafal Dolata’s 12-year-old stallion Mercedes Rooster (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Cromed Out Mercedes x Rooster Ata Party), continued her success by scoring 216 to win the $3,850-added NRHA Grand Prix Intermediate Non Pro.

Sunday’s Schedule

The 14th NRHA European Derby will conclude with the $7,700-Added Gunna Sparkle NRHA Grand Prix Non Pro, the Euro Horse $495-Added Limited Non Pro/TRFAM 2025 Non Pro Qualifier, the $1,250-Added APHA Chrome Cash Amateur, and the NRHA Grand Prix Youth presented by NRHA France/TRFAM 2025 Youth Championship Qualifier. The day will also feature the $11,000-Added NRHA Grand Prix Open, $5,500-Added Intermediate Open, and $1,250-Added APHA Chrome Cash Open.

Photos: Courtesy of Wanted Photos

Follow the Action Live: nrhaeuropeanderby.com/live
More Information: NRHAEUROPEANDERBY.com | EQUITALYON.com

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