Gunnalittlestep (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Gay Jays Llittle Step), owned by Ambrosini Quarter Horses ASD, made the Level (L)4 and L3 Non Pro European Futurity finals with Paolo Ambrosini in the saddle. A few days before the IRHA Derby, Paolo decided to let his son, Carlo, show him. With the 4-year-old gelding between the reins, the 19-year-old Italian rider posted the highest score in the L4 Non Pro qualifier with a 217.5.
On Friday night, last to go in the seeded finals, Carlo and his mount rode in the show pen to perform the first stop and back, determined to leave their mark in the oval CremonaFiere arena… and so they did. “The pressure was on from the moment my dad made the decision to let me show his horse here,” said the young Italian rider. “He is a really great horse and I know I had to stay focused in order to make it to the top step of the podium.” With a 217 score to beat, posted by both Italian Edoardo Bernardelli and Whiz Wild West (Spark N Whiz x West Coast Oak) and Andreu Nogue Puig riding Nuria Puig Ribas’ Ricostyle (Ricochet Rooster x Gangsters Chrome), Ambrosini gave all he had. Once he performed his last stop, the score board said it all: 218 and the Championship.
Spain’s Nogue Puig and Italy’s Bernardelli settled for the L4 Non Pro Co-Reserve Championship and the latter also took the L3 Non Pro win. “This guy is super amazing and has a huge heart,” said Bernardelli about his mount. “Tonight he gave me everything he had and I am thrilled with this title.”
In the Non Pro Derby qualifier, Wolfgang Hammer lead the L2 division with a 214 score aboard his two mounts, Chicago Lena (Smart Chic Olena x Bright Gun City) and Mr Ricochet (Ricochet Rooster x Docs Oak Rosy). In the finals, Hammer posted a 214.5 to win the L2 Non Pro Derby Championship riding Mr Ricochet as well as third place with Chicago Lena.
Taking the reserve championship in the L2 division as well as the L1 Non Pro Derby Championship with a 211.5 score was German Franziska Wallner riding Mai Tai Enterprise (Chex Enterprise x Revolutions Chic Jac) owned by Heidi Wallner. One point behind the winners, Katharina Dejori of Italy steered her own Unique Remediz (Remins Remedy x Margaritaz) to the L1 Reserve Championship.
From left to rightEdoardo Bernardelli & Whiz Wild West; Wolfgang Hammer & Mr Ricochet; Franziska Wallner & Mai Tai Enterprise
Saturday action in Cremona will include the 2019 NRHA/RHF/IRHA Global Youth World Cup as well as the finals of the IRHA Open Derby finals.
To follow the action live:
Livestream: www.andreabonaga.it
Livescore: www.showmanager.eu
By Simona Diale, Interntional Horse Press
