Mirko Midili Reins Star Horse Maytheforcebewhizyou to the 2021 IRHA Derby Open Championship

—Provided by Simona Diale/International Horse Press—The duo made up of Italian Professional Mirko Midili and Maytheforcebewhizyou, literally brought the house down in CremonaFiera’s oval arena on Saturday night. When the last horse left the arena, they were crowned Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) Level (L)4 Open Derby Champions.

Their powerful performance was paid back by the judges with a winning 227. “I dared and this special horse with a huge heart played the game,” said Midili about Alberto Capello’s 7-year-old bay flashy stallion by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Jac Golden Faith. “I knew we had big scores to beat and the goal was to try our best to win the title. The plan worked and here we are!”

Taking the L4 Reserve Championship as well as the L3 title with a 225.5 was Manuel Cortesi riding Az. Agr. Piero Cortesi’s AR Vintage Dream (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Sweet Candy Dream). “I am really happy with the result achieved together with “Bruno.” He is a fantastic horse, with a huge heart and performed to the max,” said Cortesi who pocketed the 2020 NRHA European Futurity Open Championship with his mount in May. “We are obviously very satisfied with this show season and now it’s time to plan his future.”

Level 2 Open Derby

Sebastiano Valtorta’s 222 high score posted aboard Luca Mauri’s Four Season Whiz
(NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz x Dun It Preciously) earned him and his mount the L2 Open Championship as well as the L3 reserve spot. “My ‘once in a lifetime’ horse was amazing, especially considering the great results we had few weeks ago at the NRHA European Derby,” he said.
A point behind, Slovakia’s Gal Graheli reined Walla Whiz A Dun It  (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz xThe Bun Is Dun) to second place for owner Katja Zrimsek.   

Level 1 Open Derby
Young Lena-Marie Mass and her own Chic Heidi (Chic Magnetic x Heidi Sailor) scored a 215 to take the L1 Championship. “I’m really happy with our run today! My horse was with me today all the way and he was great in the arena. Special thanks go to all our Quarter Dream team; Pietro [Marseglia], Nico [Sicuro] and everybody who supports me every single day!” said the assistant trainer for the successful Italian breeding and training facility based in Italy.



IRHA NON PRO DERBY:
Pedrotti and HA Whizzing Spark Sweep the L4, 3, and 2 Derby divisions

Andrea Pedrotti & HA Whizzing Spark

It was a dream come true for Italian Andrea Pedrotti who collected the L4, 3, and 2 Non Pro Derby Championships after he rode his HA Whizzing Spark (Spooks Gotta Whiz x HA Angels And Demons) to a scorching 220.5.
 “It’s simply a dream come true,” he said. “My horse was great for me tonight and I have to say a huge thank you to all the people behind this success who worked so hard for this result: Mirko [Midili] and the all Luga QH team, our vet, our farrier and all the others that helped me.”

Reserve honors in the L4, with a 218.5 score, were for Gina Schumacher and CS Ranch Management’s CS Wallawallaboom (Walla Walla Whiz x Cheeky Boom). Fabrizio Magni and his Gunner Likestoboggie (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Gunner x Ro Ladylikestoboggie) scored a 217.5 to pocket the L3 Reserve Championship.

Level 1 Non  Pro Derby

Rebecca Folcia and LS Dun Blue Berry (Spat A Blue x Hollywood Greatberry) posted a 217.5 to take home the L1 Championship as well as the L2 Reserve Championship.
“I’m so proud of the results my horse and I brought home tonight,” she shared. “I’m also excited because I didn’t even expect to make the finals since I only purchased him a month ago. I’m super pleased about the great relationship we built in such a short time and how good he was with me during this first show together.”

For full results click here

Photos by International Horse Press Media Partner Bonaga Communication