Cremona, April 16–Provided by Simona Diale, International Horse Press—A success is an understatement when describing the 2022 edition of the IRHA Derby & Superstakes: Over 440 horses made their way to Cremona, Italy, for the first major event of the season.
Friday at CremonaFiere welcomed the 49 DeniroBootCo IRHA Derby & Superstakes Non Pro Finalists after 132 riders tried to qualify and make their way to the finals in the go-round.
Elena Kompatscher and Tonystrip Prevail
Italian Elena Kompatscher and 5-year-old stallion Tonsystrip (Elvis Peppys Taco x Dark Blue River) owned by her companion Jacopo Rossi came to Cremona with only one show together on their curriculum. The talented young Italian rider guided the bay to the top of the leaderboard in the qualifier and then went on to take home both the €25,000-added Level (L)4 and €7,400-added L3 Non Pro Derby Championships. “I still cannot believe this, and he was simply amazing,” said Kompatscher who posted a great ride and a 222 score. “I didn’t expect this, even after taking the go round. My boyfriend and I purchased him last year and then had him in training with Professional Manuel Cortesi who did a great job with him. We decided to give it a try here as we knew he was a good non pro horse, but never thought this would be the outcome so it’s a thrill to be able to achieve this result. We are now thinking about showing him at the NRHA European Derby later on this year.”
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It was a win for Poland’s Karol Bryla and his own flashy 8-year-old stallion Walla Golden Arrow (NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Nu Chucka). The pair closed the evening clinching the €5,000-added L2 division. “I bought this stallion from Professional Pierluigi Chioldo in 2020 here in Italy and have been riding him myself since,” shared Bryla who closed his ride half-a-point- behind the L4 and L3 Champions. “I am super happy with my horse, who has a very particular personality! I came here hoping to do well in the L2 and 3 divisions but never expected to take reserve in both!”
In the €3,500-added L1 division, the Championship went to yet another flashy long-maned palomino, LS Dun Blue Berry (Spat A Blue x Hollywood Greatberry), with owner Rebecca Folcia in the saddle. It was a two-peat for the duo who also claimed the title last year. “Since last year our relationship has become really solid, and tonight he was impressive in all his maneuvers and truly did not expect to score a 219,” said Folcia who rides under the guidance of Professional Angelo Benedusi and was quick to thank him and the whole team behind her. “We are now preparing for the Italian Maturity and hopefully the European Derby.”
Risso and RS Maiorca Jac win the inaugural Derby Superstakes
Top Italian breeder and NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Claudio Risso and RS Maiorca Jac (RS Great Jac Feona x RS Shadow Olena) topped the inaugural €5,500-added Level 4 Non Pro Superstakes. “I am really happy with my mare who is still a little green but showed her great heart in the arena tonight,” said Risso about his home-bred mare. “It’s a thrill for me to take the very first IRHA Superstakes title home.”
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Riding to the €4,000-added L2 as well as the L4 Reserve Championship was Vladimir Cejka & The Shiney (Smart And Shiney x TR Topsail Flip). “We purchased this horse four months ago from Paolo Orlandini and this is our first show together,” said Cejka. “He was great and I look forward to hopefully bringing home more titles this year.”
Photos by IRHA Derby & Superstakes Official Photographer Bonaga Communication
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Press Release by International Horse Press
