Kreuth, Germany – March 13, 2010 – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) ended its 2010 NRHA European Futurity & NRHA Show on Saturday, March 13 in Kreuth, Germany. The show is the largest NRHA approved show to be held outside of the U.S. and welcomes more than 300 horses and 200 riders.
NRHA crowned champions in the Level 3 and Level 4 Non Pro Futurity divisions, as well as champions in the Level 3 and Level 4 Open Futurity divisions in front of a packed house of 4,000+ on Saturday night. Riders from nine countries battled for their piece of the $125,000 added Level 4 Open, $50,000 added Level 3 Open, $50,000 added Level 4 Non Pro and $10,000 added Level 3 Non Pro purses.
LEVEL 4 OPEN CHAMPION – KAYSTEIN
Roy De Bruin’s Kaystein and Rudi Kronsteiner (AUS) won the qualifying go round with a 220.5 (first photo), and many in the audience were waiting anxiously to watch them tonight. They brought the house down when their time in the arena finally came. They performed brilliantly to a score of 222 to win the Level Open 4 division championship. Kaystein added nearly $50,000 to his earnings including a strong showing at the 2009 NRHA Futurity in the Level 4 Open.
Kronsteiner said, “The pressure here was enormous. I am so happy to have won the title. Kaystein is such a great horse.” Kronsteiner celebrated with gusto when the announcer read the total purse and prizes including a Montana Silversmith belt buckle, Bob’s Custom Saddle and NRHA Lawson bronze trophy.
Gunspinner and Ann Fonck (BEL) marked a solid 214.5 to qualify for both the Level 4 and Level 3 Open finals (second photo). After working all week together with her husband and fellow finalist Bernard, Ann found the right strategy to take Greenway Stables’ Gunspinner to the top of the Level 3 Open division. The duo marked a 220 to win the Level 3 Open division and become reserve champions in the Level 4 Open division.
The owners and Tim McQuay contacted Fonck after the horse was shown at the 2009 NRHA Futurity. Fonck and “Frankie” hit it off, and they began making plans to compete in Kreuth. Fonck said, “He’s an extremely good-minded horse. He’s just wonderful to show.”
The reserve championship in the Level 3 Open division was shared by three horses and riders: Volker Schmitt (GER) and Smokin Mifillena, Morey Fisk (CAN) and Pep N Vintage and Martin Gamper (ITA) and Rooster Nic. All marked a 217.
IAM SAILORS BROTHER WINS LEVEL 4 NON PRO CHAMPIONSHIP
Gump Whiz A Jac BB and Cira Baeck (BEL) and were third in the go round and set the pace early with a 216 in the Level 4 and Level 3 Non Pro final. Baeck, a two-time NRHA Non Pro World Champion, held the lead until five horses from the end of the finals. Iam Sailors Brother and Stefano Angelucci (ITA) made everyone take notice scoring a 217.5 to clench the win in the Level 4 Non Pro division (fourth photo). Angelucci commented after his run, “I knew I had a horse that could win here at the futurity. I just had to prove that I could do it, too.” This is the second year that the Level 4 Non Pro title went to a rider from Italy.
Angelucci Quarter Horses owns the stallion who named after his full brother Frozen Sailor. Frozen Sailor is well-known in Europe for his personality and performance. He was an Americana Open finalist and World Equestrian Games Team Bronze medalist. He stands at Angelucci Quarter Horses in Italy.
After taking reserve titles in Friday’s Level 1 and Level 2 Non Pro divisions, Liz By Dun It and 22-year-old agriculture student Pai Kalle marked a 212.5 in draw number 3 of the second section (third photo). The run gave them the Level 3 Non Pro championship, as well as a third place finish in the Level 4 Non Pro division. Kalle has ridden with Volker Schmitt since 1995. After her run, she thanked him for helping her prepare during the show even though he had three horses to show himself.
Gump Whiz A Jac BB and Baeck were second in the Level 4 Non Pro division. Genuine Secolo and Chiara Bartoletti (ITA) tied for second with Level 1 and Level 2 Non Pro Champion Sailin Playboy and Anita Ernst (GER) in the Level 3 Non Pro division.
ANCILLARY ACTION
In addition to the NRHA European Futurity, NRHA members competed in a full slate of NRHA classes looking for their share of added money and awards. The final four ancillary classes were the $200 added Limited Non Pro, Rookie, Youth 14-18 and Youth 13 & Under.
The $200 added Limited Non Pro was won by Martin Binder (GER) and Top Snappin. The two scored a 211.5 winning this class in a field of 53 competitors. Binder rode the six-year old palomino gelding to a fourth place at the 2008 NRHA Breeders Futurity Non Pro Bit. Adrienne Speidel (SUI) and A Hollywood All Star and Fred Cuny (BEL) and Select A Star tied for second place scoring a 210, respectively.
There were 30 horses entered in the NRHA Rookie ancillary class on Saturday. Top honors went to Sebastian Kuffler (GER) and Peppy Whiskey Sprat with a score of 206.5. Second place went to Stefanie Gerstgrasser (GER) and Whiz Out Of Here with a 205.
The high score of 207 went to Philipp Lösch (GER) and AJS Bodyjac in the NRHA Youth 14-18 class. Sarah Ehrenreich (GER) and Miss Cody Whiz It marked a 205.5 for second place.
The NRHA Youth 13 & under class was won by Marc Daurer (GER) with his mount Lil Dry Pepo with a 202. Michele Maibaum (GER) and Peppys Gun Dun It were recognized at the end of the class for their second place performance.
More information and complete results are available on the official Web site of the NRHA European Futurity at www.nrha-european-futurity.com, on the Online Reiner Blog at www.reiner.nrha.com and on NRHA’s Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/nrhareining.
RESULTS
Level 4 Open Finals
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score / Purse
1 / Rudi Kronsteiner / AUT / Kaystein (Einstein “Great Resolve” x Kays Freckles, bred by Pontisso Enterprises, Inc.) / 173 / Roy De Bruin / 222.0 / $49,980.00
2 / Ann Fonck / BEL / Gunspinner (Gunner “Colonels Smoking Gun” x Private Enterprise, bred by Mc Entire; Nathalie Beaulieu) / 79 / Greenway Stables / 220.0 / $16,260.70
3 / Bernard Fonck / BEL / Cattlemans Cash (Wimpys Little Step x Trophy Peppy Jay, Cras; Francois) / 75 / BVBA Van Roosbroeck & ZN / 219.5 / $11,687.38
3 / Gennaro Lendi / ITA / My Showbiz Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Hollywood Stunt Girl, bred by Bob Loomis Reining Horses) / 85 / Ambrosini Quarter Horses / 219.5 / $11,687.38
5 / Volker Schmitt / GER / Give It A Rest (Custom Crome x Rest Up, bred by Wagman Ranch Inc.) / 209 / Ulrich Laudenklos / 218.5 / $8,130.35
Level 3 Open Finals
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score / Purse
1 / Ann Fonck / BEL / Gunspinner (Gunner “Colonels Smoking Gun” x Private Enterprise, bred by Mc Entire; Nathalie Beaulieu) / 79 / Greenway Stables / 220.0 / $11,802.47
2 / Volker Schmitt / GER / Smokin Mifillena (Mifillena x Gunners Doll Face, bred by Mc Quay Stables Inc) / 208 / Sonja Lubas / 217.0 / $7,457.31
2 / Morey Fisk / CAN / Pep N Vintage (Shiners Vintage x Sheza Smart Lass, bred by La Mesa Performance Horses, LLC) / 67 / Pep N Vintage Partnership / 217.0 / $7,457.31
2 / Martin Gamper / ITA / Rooster Nic (Gallo Del Cielo x Sanjos Pistolette, bred by Eakin; James L) / 87 / Evelyn Bagnasco / 217.0 / $7,457.31
5 / Vern Sapergia / CAN / Dreams And Prizes (Magnum Chic Dream x Freckles Prize, bred by Hunt; Brian) / 167 / Ulrike Frey / 216. 5 / $4,200.10
Level 4 Non Pro Finals
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score / Purse
1 / Stefano Angelucci / ITA / Iam Sailors Brother (Sir Jac Frost x Sail On Sweetness, bred by Moriani; Francesca Bini) / 3 / Angelucci QH / 217.5 / $10,255.99
2 / Cira Baeck / BEL / Gump Whiz A Jac BB (Little Gump x Soft Whizpers, bred by Baeck; Cira) / 17 / Eifel Gold Ranch Baeck / 216.0 / $8,113.12
3 / Pia Kalle / GER / Liz By Dun It (Pine Dun It x Lizbeth, bred by Steeger; Eckhard) / 214 / Pia Kalle / 212.5 / $6,428.62
4 / Manuel Bonzano / ITA / Rooster Hick (Ricochet Rooster x Cherry Hick, bred by Bonzano; Manuel) / 25 / Manuel Bonzano / 211.5 / $4,898.81
5 / Frans Van der Meer / NED / FS Twist N Spark (Dun It With A Twist x Sheza Texas Shine, bred by Fingland; Bill and Patti) / 199 / Frans Van der Meer / 209.0 / $3,248.69
5 / Chiara Bartoletti / ITA / Genuine Secolo (Peppy Secolo x Genuine Holly Rey, bred by Allevamento; Euganeo) / 129 / XO Reining Horses / 209.0 / $3,248.69
5 / Anita Ernst / GER / Sailin Playboy (Sailin Ruf x Hh Freckles Playgirl, bred by Hansen; Iver) / 59 / Anita Ernst / 209.0 / $3,248.69
Level 3 Non Pro Finals
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score / Purse
1 / Pia Kalle / GER / Liz By Dun It (Pine Dun It x Lizbeth, bred by Steeger; Eckhard) / 214 / Pia Kalle / 212.5 / $3,429.69
2 / Chiara Bartoletti / ITA / (Peppy Secolo x Genuine Holly Rey, bred by Allevamento; Euganeo) / 129 / XO Reining Horses / 209.0 / $1,826.68
2 / Anita Ernst / GER / Sailin Playboy (Sailin Ruf x Hh Freckles Playgirl, bred by Hansen; Iver) / 59 / Anita Ernst / 209.0 / 1826,68
4 / Pricilla Jacquard / FRA / West Coast Oakie (West Coast Whiz x Oakendokie, bred by Jackspar Enterprises, LLC) / 292 / Pricilla Jacquard / 207.0 / $1,267.49
4 / Martina Smirova / CZE / Boomin Bunny (Mr Boomerjac x Dun Its Easter Bunny, bred by Rancho Oso Rio LLC) / 61 / Martina Smirova / 207.0 / $1,267.49
$200 Added Limited Non Pro Ancillary
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score
1 / Martin Binder / GER / Top Snappin / 286 / Martin Binder / 211.5
2 / Adrienne Speidel / SUI / A Hollywood All Star / 219 / Ariane Speidel / 210.0
2 / Fred Cuny / BEL / Select A Star / 154 / Fred Cuny / 210.0
Rookie Ancillary
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Owner / Score
1 / Sebastian Kuffler / GER / Peppy Whiskey Sprat / Sebastian Kuffler / 206.5
2 / Stefanie Gerstgrasser / GER / Whiz Out Of Here / Stefanie Gerstgrasser / 205
Youth 14-18 Ancillary
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score
1 / Philip Lösch / GER / Ajs Bodyjac / 64 / Philip Lösch / 207.0
2 / Sarah Ehrenreich / GER / Miss Cody Whiz It / 54 / Sabine Ehrenreich / 205.5
Youth 13 & Under Ancillary
Place / Rider / Country / Horse / Back # / Owner / Score
1 / Marc Daurer / GER / Lil Dry Pepo / 253 / Marc Daurer / 202.0
2 / Michele Maibaum / GER / Peppys Gun Dun It / 119 / Michele Maibaum / 193.0
