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The NRHA European Derby Kicks Off at Equita Lyon With De Iulilio Leading the Non Pro Qualifier
Lyon, October 30 — The 2024 NRHA European Derby launched with a thrilling start at the Longines Equita Lyon international show, where the ELEMENTA Non Pro Derby Qualifier took center stage in the Oklahoma Arena today. The event’s 14th edition opened with 122 competitive horse-and-rider duos, each vying for a coveted spot in the Non Pro finals on Friday, November 1.
Italian rider Fabio De Iulio delivered the day’s highest score, an impressive 218.5, on his stallion RS Cronos Jac (RS Great Jac Feona x RS Shadow Olena), securing the lead in both Level (L) 4 and L3 divisions. The 8-year-old stallion was nominated by Italian breeder and NRHA Hall of Famer Claudio Risso.
Fabio De Iulio
In the L2, Dutch rider Suzanne Scharroo and her Xtra Platinum Blonde (Platinum Vintage x Java Light), a 6-year-old mare nominated by Isabeau Rhode, tied with Germany’s Franziska Wegner and her ND A Dance Wiz Walla (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Resolve To Dance), 7-year-old mare nominated by Nathalie Derua, with both pairs scoring a 216 and holding the lead for most of the day.
Suzanne Scharroo
Franziska Wegner
The L1 saw a three-way tie for the lead, with riders from Germany, Slovakia, and Italy each scoring a 213 to secure spots in Friday’s final: Germany’s Luisa Von Beverfoerde on her gelding nominated by Barbi Boyle Sunset On Ice (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Sunset Whiz), Slovakia’s Lydia Capkova aboard her mare Cash That Whiz (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash x Oh That Whiz) nominated by Lucia Orlova, and Italy’s Federica Faccincani with her CS Redhot N Nifty (Gotta Nifty Gun x Nicos Custom Gunner) nominated by XCS Ranch LLC.
Luisa Von Beverfoerde
Lydia Capkova
Federica Faccincani
Leading the Non Pro Youth division was Belgian rider Jody Fonck with the second-highest score of the day, a 217.5, riding MT Okies Sweetnes (SG Frozen Enterprize x Okies Eldorado), a 5-year-old mare nominated by Imelda Maria Maertens.
Jody Fonck
Great Britain’s Francesca Sternberg posted the highest score (215) in the APHA Chrome Cash Incentive L4 Non Pro Derby qualifier riding her dependable gelding Red Dirt Paleface (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Lost In Tinseltown).
Francesca Sternberg
Thursday, October 31, will feature the NRHA European Derby Open Qualifier counting 127 combinations across the four levels. The day will conclude with the Non Pro Draw Party which will determine the starting order for Friday’s Non Pro Finals.
Tickets for the NRHA European Derby Open Finals and the highly anticipated The Run For A Million 2025 Million Dollar Championship on Saturday, November 2, are now available.
Photos by Wanted Photos
Follow the action live at nrhaeuropeanderby.com/live
For more information, visit NRHAEUROPEANDERBY.com or EQUITALYON.com.fr
NRHA European Derby Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com