The $300,595-added NRHA European Derby kicks off in Lyon with the ELEMENTA Non Pro Derby Qualifier

One of Europe’s largest equestrian trade and horse shows, Equita Lyon in Lyon, France, is host to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Derby. Today, reining competition kicked-off hit the ‘Oklahoma Arena’ with the ELEMENTA Non Pro European go round counting 98 combinations vying for a ticket to the Finals which will be held on Friday, November 3.

Taking the lead in the Level (L)4, 3, and 2 was Belgian Dries Verschueren who
rode GP A Spook In Town to a 218 score. The talented 7-year-old palomino stallion, sired by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown out of Spook N Perla, is owned by Golden Paint Ranch and was nominated by Verschueren.

Topping the L1 was Dutch Margot Van Doorne and Xtra Shiners Taboo (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Xtra Suzies Step) who closed her performance with a 214 score. The 7-year-old gelding is owned and nominated by Van Doorne.

The European Derby Youth division rising star Jody Fonck of Belgium topped the qualifier with Smart Spooky Joe (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash x Spookody), a 7-year-old gelding owned by J&J Comm and nominated by Jean Louis Coutrot. The duo scored a 214 for the lead.

Georgia Wilk of Germany closed her performance with a 216 to win the LL Tecnologie Novice Horse Non Pro qualifier aboard her own Pretty Whiz Chic (Winnie The Boo x Rey Nic Chic), a 6-year-old mare nominated by Jessica Dros.

Seven riders competed in the APHA Chrome Cash Incentive L4 Non Pro Derby qualifier.
The highest score, a 214, was marked by Francesca Sternberg of Great Britain and her own 7-year-old gelding Red Dirt Paleface (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Lost In Tinseltown).

On Thursday November 2, the NRHA European Derby Open qualifier, counting 104 combinations entered across the four levels, will showcase reining at its best. The Draw Party will close the day and will determine the order of go of the clean-slate Open and Non Pro Finals. The order of go of the exciting The Run For A Million 2024 Million Dollar Reining Competition qualifier will also be revealed. Twenty-six riders will leave their mark in the history of the prestigious TRFAM: Equita Lyon is in fact hosting the very first qualifier outside the U.S. Tickets for Saturday night are sold out, but fans have a chance to follow the competition live for free here: nrhaeuropeanderby.com/live.

For further information: NRHAEUROPEANDERBY.com / EQUITALYON.com.fr

Photos by Wanted Photos

Thank you to the 2023 NRHA European Derby Sponsors:
• GL Events and Equita Lyon
• NRHA Global Partners Markel Equine (Official Insurance Partner of NRHA), MS Diamonds TX (Official Diamond Partner of NRHA), Toyon Ranch, Clark’s Pump-N-Shop, Cardinal Reining Horses.
• ELEMENTA
• The Run For A Million
• LL Tecnologie
• Quarter Dream
• Roleski Ranch
• Grey Stone Ranch
• AM Rising Star Ranch
• Gunna Sparkle
• Nice
• APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Program



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