Provided by International Horse Press—The 2022 NRHA Germany Breeders Derby closed the show with the Open Derby Finals at the Pferdesportzentrum Ostbayern in Kreuth, Germany, on Saturday evening. Just like the previous day, 69 horse-rider combinations made their way to the final round.

Dominik Reminder didn’t plan to show BMS Walla Getcha Gun (Walla Whiz Crome x Ally Get Your Gun) at the beginning of the show, but it so happened that he ended up in the saddle of Kerstin Müller’s stallion and their stellar performance was awarded by the judges paying them a 222 score to top the Levels (L)4 and 3.

“It was not the plan for me to show him here, but when he didn’t make the Non Pro Finals with my girlfriend, we decided to enter him in the Open and it worked out,” said the German trainer about his mount and continued, “he is a great horse, but I never had much luck in the show pen with him, so finally tonight we did it. I think Kerstin will show him at the NRHA European Derby, and then we will see.”  

Reserve honors in Level 4 went to prelim leaders, Italian Nico Sicuro and Quarter Dream’s stallion Sugar Little Step (NRHA 12 Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x AH Sugar Sugar) with a score of 219.5.

Emanuel Ernst and ARC American Express (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Americasnextgunmodel) owned by Katja Binder held their 220 score from Section 1 of the Open Finals to top the L3, but when Reminder took the lead, the duo finished Reserve Champions.

Alexander Ripper rode the last year’s NRHA Germany Breeders Derby L2 Co-Champion Rhmspooksgottanumask (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x RHM Nu Amarilla Chex) for owner Felisette van Wieren to a score of 219 to win the L2 repeatedly.

“I’m so proud of this horse. She gave me everything this evening, especially in the circles, so I’m really happy, because I know now that I can trust her in all the maneuvers,” he said. “I rode her less tonight before the Finals. We just jogged around, did two stops, checked the turns, and that was it. I think our best maneuvers were the circles and I’m also happy about the rollbacks, which were better that in the go round.”
 
The German rider also captured Reserve honors with a 216 aboard Bay Gunner (NRHA 13 Million Dollar Sire Colonels Smoking Gun x Dun It Preciously) owned by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Müller: Again, Ripper repeated his L2 Co-Championship as he did in last year’s NRHA Germany Breeders Derby.

Patrick Göschl rode Alexandra Bausch’s stallion The Gun Maker (One Gun x Mare Made) to a score of 213 to top the L1 Open Derby.

“Tonight was the first time I showed him in romal reins and I was really surprised how good he was. I was especially happy about our left circles, where he showed good speed control,” said Göschl who has had the stallion in training for over a year. “He will get a break from reining for the rest of the season as we also show him a little bit in the all-around circuit so maybe we will do some of that and see what he can do.”

Tim Tuscher & TT Lil Joe Cash (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Lil Joe Cash x Mrs King Doc Lena), L1 go round leaders, finished Reserve Champions scoring 212.5. TT Lil Joe Cash is owned by Yvonne Tuscher.

Gerd Wilhelm, NRHA Germany Vice President, was pleased with the outcome of this year’s Derby: “Last year, we opened the derby to all ages [above 5 years old] and this year we saw a huge increase in entries for older horses. I expected especially the non pros to show the older horses, but to my pleasant surprise, a lot of open riders also came with older horses, which tells me that there is a need for classes like that at other shows. Germany has always been ahead with the equine welfare, so I hope this will inspire other reining organizations and point them in this direction to offer higher payout classes for older horses.”

NRHA Germany returns to Pferdesportzentrum Ostbayern Kreuth next month with the Hot Summer Show that will take place on July 18-24 offering various ancillary classes for the competitors.

Photos by NRHA Germany Breeders Derby Official Photographer Tom Hautmann

Press Release by International Horse Press