Lendi and One Mr JJ Score Big to Win the Level 4 Open Championship
Cremona, April 17—Provided by Simona Diale/International Horse Press—An amazing IRHA Open Derby Finals presented by DeNiroBootCo closed the successful event held in Cremona, Italy.
With 70 Open Finalists vying for the Derby and Superstakes Championships, the oval CremonaFiere Arena offered a great group of horses and riders with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gennaro Lendi and One Mr JJ performing to a 230.5 which led them to the €45,000-added Level 4 Open Championship title.
The talented 6-year-old stallion by Colonels Shining Gun out of QHR Jamaica Express, owned by Andrea Castrucci of KN Reining Resort, had already left his mark in Cremona with past owner Gina Schumacher by claiming the 2020 NRHA European Futurity L4 Non Pro Championship. The reins passed on to Lendi who, as he confessed, had fallen in love with him after seeing Schumacher show him. “He’s incredible, very talented, great bloodline, and is the kind of horse that will be a great sire,” said Lendi. “I showed him only once before coming here and tonight I asked and he gave. He’s so stylish, and makes everything look easy!”
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Taking reserve honors with another amazing ride paid back by the judges with a 230 was young Italian Professional Manuel Cortesi riding AR Vintage Dream (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Sweet Candy Dream), owned by Az. Agr. Cortesi Piero. The great duo boasts the 2020 NRHA European Futurity L4 Open Championship as well as the IRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity.
Grischa Ludwig & West Coast Trash
The €14,600-added L3 Open Derby Championship was all about German Professional Grischa Ludwig who rode West Coast Trash (NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Miss Cody Whiz It) owned Doorne Margot Van to a 225 score. “First of all I have to say that the level of competition was extremely high here. Qualifying for the finals was tough and I only made the level 3 finals and, I must admid, I was pretty angry I didn’t make it to the level 4 by half a point,” said Ludvig. “Before going in tonight I still found it hard to deal with the fact that I wasn’t riding for the L4 Championship but then in the warm up pen Dominik Reminder came up to me and told me that I should go for it, and I did! This horse has won a lot and is always there. You can trust him, I’m not complaining about my horse, I’m complaining about myself. After 30 years in the industry, I should have known that I needed to give more in the qualifier.” Grisha was quick to credit the great organization of the IRHA show managed by Giancarlo Doardo’s Team For You.
Taking reserve L3 honors a point behind was Guglielmo Fontana aboard Spat Mega Whiz (Hesa Mega Whiz x Miss Spat A Trak) owned by Gabriele Testi.
Stefano Cerutti & FB Topsail Shine
Stefano Cerutti and FB Topsail Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Topsail Del Cielo) owned by Claudia Rizzola scored a 223.5 to win the €9,000-added L2 Open division. “I am really thrilled with this win, in particular since the level of competition here was incredible,” said Cerutti. “My mare, who I’ve had for two years, was great for me and this is the first big show together.” Reserve honors with a 221.5 score were for Levin Ludwig and Gunna Slide For Ya (Gunnatrashya x Remedys Sure Slide) owned by Merle Nellissen.
Thomas Beget & TR Gunshine
Bringing home the €7,000-added L1 Open Derby Championship was Thomas Beget who piloted Nadine Zurcher’s TR Gunshine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Kr Ima Gunner) to a 217 score. The French professional started his career with French Professional Guy Duponchel six years ago and then moved to the U.S. to learn the art of the trade with NRHA Professional Mathieu Buton. After a two-year period, Beget made his way to Italy where he has been assistant trainer for Mirko Midili at Luga Quarter Horses. “This mare was shown by her owner last year and I started riding her seriously in view of showing her here at the Derby last January,” shared Beget. “She’s really honest in the show pen, really quiet and is a huge stopper. After two schooling shows where she was really good, I knew we could go for it and winning here tonight is pretty cool.” Beget gives credit to Midili for his result and for brining him to a different level.
IRHA Derby Superstakes
Nico Sicuro & Agrayvintagechick PC
It took a 224.5 to win the €10,000-added L4 Open Superstakes; topping the leaderboard were Nico Sicuro and Agrayvintagechick PC (NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x One Helluva Chick) owned by Quarter Dream Srl.
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Taking Co-Reserve honors with a 221 score were Mirko Midili riding AB Toad Hancock (Docs Tivio Hancock x Little Bay Solano) for owner Luga Quarter Horses and Giacomo Ronchi riding Letters To Juliet (Master Snapper x San July Jo Magnetic) owned by Giacomo Ronchi/Impresa Agricola Cuoghi.
Claiming the €7,500-added L2 Open division with a 214 were Andrea Manucci and Little Topsail Step (LMC Im Topsail Dunit x Wimpys Brooksinics) owned by Alessio Pizzuti. The Reserve Championship went to Luca Piccolo and VC Spatatrasha (Inferno Sixty Six x Perlena Spat) owned by Maria Gerarda Centoletti, a half point behind the Champions.
For complete results: showmanager.eu
Photo by Bonaga Communication
