NRHA European Derby Open Action Fills the Ostbayernhalle in Kreuth

Ann Fonck ©Thomas Hautmann Photography

Kreuth – Over 35 countries worldwide watched the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Derby Open qualifier thanks to the live stream offered by MP-Video Westernsport TV. They had the chance to see Shiners Voodoo (Shiners Voodoo Dr x BR China Rose) post the highest score in the $56,665-added* Level (L)4 division with multiple past NRHA Open World Champion Ann Fonck in the saddle.

The duo set the bar early in the draw by posting a 222.5 and held on to the lead until the last of the 114 entries performed. Fonck, who has had the 5-year-old stallion in training since he was a 3-year-old, once again praised his talent. “We’ve come a long way together and he’s been great to show,” she said. “He was really good for me here, in particular considering that we came here straight from the CS Classic where we showed in the [SVAG CS Classic] Maturity. What makes me even happier is that I managed to qualify all three of my mounts in the finals.”

Owned by Kimberly Wegner, the flashy American Quarter Horse stallion was bred by Patricia Blakeney Creson and was nominated by Reto Erdin. To date, he has won over $46,700 in NRHA competition together with his only rider, Ann Fonck.

Massimiliano Ruggeri ©Thomas Hautmann Photography

NRHA Professional Massimiliano Ruggeri rode Mister Little Uno (Mister Uno x Bonita Bahia) to a 220.5, the top score in the $40,585-added* L3 Open division. Owned, bred and nominated by Paolo Morandotti, the 8-year-old stallion has over $51,000 NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE), all won between the reins of the Italian Professional. “I broke and trained this great little horse and brought home quite a few titles on him, so making the finals after a great qualifier here fills me with joy,” he said.

NRHA Professional of Israel Yoav Sugar reined Heidigun (Gunnatrashya x Heidi Sailor), owned by Eyal Carmon, to a 218, tying for the top score of the qualifier in the $23,191-added* L2 Open division.

Yoav Sugar ©Thomas Hautmann Photography

The 5-year-old mare by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya was bred and nominated by Angelucci Quarter Horses. NRHA Professional Markus Morawitz also scored a 218 riding Gunners Chic Magnet, a 7-year-old stallion by NRHA Ten Million Dollar Sire Gunner out of Wind Her Up Chic, owned by Joseph and Tamara Ahorner, bred and nominated by Oldenburg Farm LLC.

In the $11,595-added* L1 division, two NRHA Professionals scored a 215.5 to lead the qualifier: Petra van Ede riding Whizzin Wimp (Wimpys Little Tejano x Alicias Conquistador), a 5-year-old gelding owned by RS Reining Horses, bred and nominated by Roel van Dijk and Josefin Lintner aboard NRHA Markel Graduate Gunners Western Star, a 6-year-old mare by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of West Coast Princess owned by Anaïs Gasser, bred and nominated by Steve Tyner.

Petra van Ede ©Thomas Hautmann Photography

Riders that did not make it to the finals will have a chance to make their way to the closing night finals on Saturday, July 28 through the Open Consolation held on Wednesday, July 25.

Make sure to follow the action live on www.nrhaeuropeanderby.com

Photos by Thomas Hautmann Photography