~Lendi and Piccolo Spanish Win NRHA European Open Derby~

NRHA Reiner - September 2011

The $92,000 added NRHA European Derby made a significant entry into the history books tonight in Manerbio, Italy. Forty-eight finalists battled for the honor to be the first-ever NRHA European Open Derby Champion. In the end, an Italian rider clenched the Level 4 Open Championship ahead of riders from nine countries and three continents.

Italy’s Gennaro Lendi and Piccolo Spanish (Spanish Snapper x Jokin Peppy by Hangten Peppy) claimed the title with a spectacular score of 224.5. Together, Lendi and Piccolo Spanish, owned by Giancarmine Sabatino, have won the Level 4 Open Championship at the German Breeders’ Futurity and the Level 4 Open Reserve Championship Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Futurity. In addition, they were finalists at this year’s IRHA Derby. Lendi has nearly $280,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings and was one of three riders to qualify three horses for tonight’s NRHA European Open Derby finals.

“I’m very happy about being the first Open Champion here at the (NRHA European) Derby. I want to thank his owner Giancarmine Sabatino for giving me the chance to ride this horse. This is a super horse, and he gave me everything he had tonight,” said Lendi. “He (Piccolo Spanish) is very good in his turns and circles, so I tried not to make any mistakes there. I wanted to save something for the stops. He gave me everything.”

With a score of 223, Volker Schmitt (GER) and Hollywood Gun Dunnit (Gunner x Isle Bea Dun It by Hollywood Dun It) took home reserve honors in the Level 4 Open division. In addition, they tied for the championship in the Level 3 Open division with Sylvia Rzepka (GER) and Dreams And Prizes (Magnum Chic Dream x Freckles Prizes by Colonel Freckles).

As a four-year-old, Hollywood Gun Dunnit won the reserve championship in the Level 4 Open division at Gordyville in 2008 with Shawn Flarida. The seven-year-old stallion is owned by Equus Quarter Horses. Schmitt, an NRHA Judge with nearly $150,000 NRHA lifetime earnings, has qualified three horses for the Level 4 and Level 3 Open finals at the NRHA European Futurity since the show’s inception.

Rzepka and the five-year-old stallion, owned by Ulrike Frey, were the Level 4 Open Champions at this year’s Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Derby. The stallion also was a Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 Open finalist at the 2010 NRHA European Futurity with Vern Sapergia. Rzepka has won more than $112,00 in NRHA competition.

Guiseppe Prevosti (ITA) and Buenonics Doughter (Buenonic Chex x Doll House Glo by Mr War Glo) marked the highest score of the evening in the Level 2 Open division, a 221. The five-year-old mare was a finalist in all Open divisions at the 2010 NRHA European Futurity with Matthew Hudson aboard. She is owned by Enzo Gola. Prevosti won the Level 3 and Level 2 Open at this year’s NRHA European Futurity. He has nearly $120,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings.

Taking home second place in the Level 2 Open and Level 1 Open divisions was Alexander Ripper (GER) and Wild At The Bar (Star At The Bar x Wild About Hollywood by Hollywood Dun It) with a 218. The 2004 stallion is owned by Wolfgang Mueller. Ripper has been quite successful this year winning more than $7,000 in the Level 4 Open at this year’s German Breeders’ Derby.

Stefano Ferri, another Italian rider, and Made In Italy (Ricochet Rooster x Ms Sanditch Whix by Topsail Whiz) made the Level 1 Open division championship theirs during the first section of the finals. Ferri and the five-year-old gelding marked a 220.5 to take home the title for owner Manuel Bonzano. The team also won the Level 2 Open division at the 2009 IRHA Futurity. Ferri has won the Level 2 Open division at the IRHA Maturity and was the first champion in the Level 1 Open at the NRHA European Futurity.

ANCILLARY ACTION

Open
A 219 won the $2,000 added Non Pro class for Claudio Risso (ITA) and Spat A Blue (Spat Olena x ARC Joy Surprise by Surprise Enterprise). Risso, the first NRHA European Level 4 Non Pro Futurity Champion, has more than $240,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings. Risso’s nine-year-old stallion has more than $27,000 on his NRHA record including a bronze medalist honors with Nicola Brunelli at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

“This horse is amazing. He is solid and very consistent in the show pen. I started riding him in March, and now I’m feeling really good. I’ve shown him about 11 times and it’s great. I’m planning to show him more and hope it continues to go well,” said Risso.

Second place went to Carlotta Prevedoni (ITA) and Antarchex (ARC Antares Surprise x Barrickita Chex by Ricky Chex) with a 212. Prevedoni owns the ten-year-old gelding and has earned more than $2,500 on him this year.

Rookie Level 2
Maria Rachele Casini (ITA) riding Dualin Surprise (Dualin For Me x Flashy Sparkle Doll by ARC Sparkle Surprise) and Fritz Stoll (AUT) on ARC Lime N Chocolate (Chic Please x Im In The Limelight by Shining Spark) tied with a 205 in the Rookie Level 2 class.

In the run-off, Casini and her five-year-old stallion scored a 202.5 to win the class. Dualin Surprise won the Level 3 and Level 2 Non Pro divisions at the IRHA Futurity with Giovanni Masi De Vargas. Stoll owns the five-year-old gelding who was a finalist in the IRHA Open Futurity with Pierluigi Chioldo.

Youth 14-18
Luke Philliore (GBR) and Tinsel Rey (Tinsel Nic x Sail A Rey by Mr Solano Rey) won the Youth 14-18 class with a 212. Roma Phillimore owns the six-year-old mare who was second place in the Open Category 1 with Rudi Kronsteiner at the 2008 Americana.

A 209 took second place for Irene Shivji (ITA) and RS Ramses Olena (Spat O Lena x Docs Jabalena by Docs Face Card). The Shivji’s seven-year-old gelding has nearly $81,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings.

Youth 13 & Under
Maria Gina (GER) slid Spookin In The Reyn (Smart Spook x Reyn Chex by Mr Solano Rey) the top score in the Youth 13 & Under. The youth rider has more than $7,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings garnered at major shows like the NRHA European Derby Show and IRHA Maturity. This is the four-year-old gelding’s first NRHA win.

Italy’s Matteo Capello and RS Craggan More (Mc Jac Flash x Harlan Glo by Duncans Candy Man) placed second in the class. Alberto Capello owns the six-year-old gelding who has won more than $92,000 in the NRHA show arena.

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