Anna Lisec and This Wimps So Fly Win the Non Pro Derby

Anna Lisec & This Wimps So Fly (Photo: Andrea Bonaga)

It was truly a special night for Anna Lisec of Austria in Manerbio. The talented young rider took home all four levels of the 2015 edition of the NRHA European Non Pro Derby riding the 5-year-old palomino gelding by Wimpys Little Step and out of Fly Flashy Jac owned by Sabine Lisec and Chuck Klipfel.

Draw 4 in the second section, Lisec set the bar by scoring a 219 and her score remained unbeat until the end: “It was so cool… I can’t tell you how happy I am right now,” she said. “He was just amazing, he was so nice and he listened to me all the way. Not everything perfect, but he was really nice and I’m so thankful to have him.”

This Wimps So Fly, nominated by Melissa Vandorp, has close to $31,400 LTE.

Thanks to the NRHA European Nomination program, the total purse in the 2015 edition of the European Derby increased immensely and paid off €19,000 in the Level 4, €14,220 in the Level 3, €10,000 in the Level 2 and €4,640 in the Level 1.

Susy Baeck & Pop Gun Cash BB (Photo: Andrea Bonaga)

Taking the reserve championship in the Level 4 division was Susy Baeck of Belgium and Eifel Gold Ranch Baeck’s Pop Gun Cash BB. Aboard the 7-year-old palomino gelding by Nu Chex To Cash and out of Sugar Pop Gun, Susy scored a 218. The pair had already claimed the European Derby Level 4 Non Pro championship in 2013. “I’m really happy with the way this show went especially because this will be my last run with Popgun Cash,” said Baeck. “I’m little bit disappointed with myself cause I didn’t ride him well to the last stop and that definitely lowered my score. In any case, I am happy with the reserve championship!”

Pop Gun Cash BB boasts close to $47,500 in NRHA competition and was nominated by Eifel Gold Ranch Baeck.

Earning the reserve championship in the Level 3, with a 212, was Tullio Mascarello with his Remin Lilly Whiz between the reins. “My horse was great for me tonight and did everything I asked her to,” said the Italian rider about the 4-year-old mare by Remin Whiz and out of Precocious Lil Chic, nominated by Daniele Mascarello. “I’ve had her ever since she was a yearling and my trainer, Beppe Prevosti, prepared her really well for me!”

In the Level 2 and Level 1 divisions, reserve honors went to Marie Baralon and her Chicken Sandwich. The duo scored a 214.5. The young French rider had left her mark at the NRHA European Affiliate Championship, where they took the championship in the Youth 13 & Under title, and represented France at the 2014 WEG in Caen with Ann Sophie Guerriero. The talented 7-year-old mare by Ricochet Rooster and out of Ms Sanditch Whiz was thrilled with her two titles: “I just love my mare who I’ve had since the beginning of this year,” said Marie. “This evening she felt really good and I knew that we could do well, even though you cannot afford to ever be distracted when you’re showing! I would like to thank my parents for giving me this opportunity and my trainer, Ann Sophie Guerriero, who has always believed in me and my mare.”

The fifth edition of the NRHA European Derby & Pre Futurity will come to a close tomorrow. Europe’s most successful Derby, open to 4-5-6 and 7-year-old horses, will offer the NRHA Youth, Limited and Intermediate Open classes as well as the NRHA Non Pro class.

Closing the day will be the NRHA European Open Derby. Log on to www.nrhaeuropeanderby.com for any information you may require. You will also be able to follow the event livestream.