Givrins, July 16—The beautiful CS Ranch Arena in Givrins, Switzerland, welcomed yet another record number of competitors vying for the European Affiliate Championship titles at the SVAG CS Classic 2022 which included the prestigious Open and Non Pro Championships. The show will close on Sunday with the last Final of the year; the $200-Added EAC Rookie.

$18,000-Added NRHA EAC Open
In a field of 17 qualified riders, Grischa Ludwig riding Spooks Of Genius, a 2016 American Quarter Horse stallion by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x A Spark Of Genius owned by Margot Van Doorne scored a 228.5.

Last night, the German professional had ridden Alexandra Schmitz’s 6-year-old stallion Gunnit In Hollywood (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Buffy In Hollywood), to a 229 winning the $12,000-Added NRHA Open ancillary class. “I am speechless,” said the German professional. “Last night I promised my dad that I would win—and we did—and today he said ‘son, do it again.’ It’s been a long, hot week here, so I wasn’t sure we could repeat what we did yesterday but…we did it again and this is very emotional for me. I am truly fortunate to have such great horses to ride and once again the public was amazing.”

Ann Fonck of Belgium riding Colonels Whize Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Alicias Conquistador), a 2016 gelding owned by Anneliese & Hermann Meinert, scored a 226.5 for the second step of the podium. The Belgian rider also tied for third place riding CS Sailing Gun (Gunners Enterprise x La Bigia Sailor), a 5-year-old stallion owned by CS Ranch Management SA, along with Ludwig riding West Coast Trash, a 6-year-old stallion by NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya out of Miss Cody Whiz It owned by Margot Van Doorne.

$15,000-Added NRHA EAC Non Pro
Topping 32 qualified riders Gina Maria Schumacher of Germany riding All Right Magnum, a 2014 gelding by NRHA Eight Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of All The Right Motion, owned and bred by CS Ranch Management SA, after holding the lead with her second horse CS Wallawallaboom, beat herself closing with a 223. “I was pretending that I would not post the high score when I went in and I wasn’t really motivated,” said Schumacher. “He’s 8-years-old, kinda spooky, and…didn’t even have sliders on last week! However, my goal now is to make the million, and I knew he could do well. My brother [Mick] rode him last night, did a few manoeuvers, had fun, and it worked. This horse is really very special and I am so proud of him.”

With a 222 score, Schumacher also tied for the Reserve Championship with CS Wallawallaboom (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Cheeky Boom), a 6-year-old gelding owned and bred by CS Ranch Management SA, with Nina Zinsli of Switzerland riding TR Reinman (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x KR Ima Gunner), a 6-year-old gelding owned by Christian-Peter Zinsli.

$2,000-Added NRHA EAC Rookie Professional
Earning her first European Affiliate Championship title was Swiss Vera Schlauri riding Jac Whiz. By Conquistador Whiz out of Honeys Melody Jac, the 2009 gelding was bred in France by Catherine Castel and is owned Schlauri’s companion, Fabien Boiron. “I love this horse and am so happy my boyfriend, who trains out of HorseAcademy in Mooslargue, France, gave me the opportunity to show him,” shared Schlauri. “I started riding western horses five years ago and thanks to Fabien I fell in love with reining and with Jac Whiz. He always takes care of me and even though I have another job and only ride on weekends, he makes me look good!”

The pair scored a 213.5 for the win.

Angelika Dobesova of Slovakia took reserve honors after scoring a 212.5 aboard LV Barny Remedys, a 7-year-old stallion by Remedys Moonshine out of Majors Queen Mary owned by Daša Zahradníková. Dobesova also reined DB Spooknit Whiz (Kalispook x Whiz Skine On Skine), a 6-year-old mare owned and bred by Zuzana Dobesova, to a 209 score and the third step of the podium.

$100-Added NRHA EAC Youth 13 & Under
Hayley Verlinden of Belgium and her 10-year-old gelding, Lena Smoking Chex (Hot Smoking Chex x ARC Pleasealena), to a 213.5 score and her first European Affiliate Championship. “He’s a super horse, sometimes hard to show, but this time he gave me everything and I’m so happy with him and being crowned champion even though I didn’t expect it at all,” said the young rider. “I so enjoyed this show, loved the Youth Team Tournament and all the people around me. I especially want to thank the Fonck’s and my all Belgium Team.”

Victoire Molla Guisset of France and Jacbsailnthrulites (Hit The Lights x Jolly Be Nimble), a 2007 gelding owned by Laetitia Guisset, scored a 210 to earn the Reserve Championship.

Half-a-point behind, French Matt Legrand of France rode Gb Little Kid (Nicmeridalittlestep x Ima Torrid Lady), a 7-year-old stallion owned by Anniek Legrand to a 209.5 score and third place.

$100-Added NRHA EAC Youth 14-18
With a great 216 ride, Swiss Sophia Staub rode Gunslinger Lil Step (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step x Playguns Rose) to the highest step of the podium in both the EAC and SVPS Swiss Championship Youth 14-18 Finals. “My horse’s nickname is Bob and I have been riding him for three years now,” she said about the 12-year-old gelding owned by her mother, Sabine Schmid. “This show was a very good one for us, my horse was very nice and was always there for me, as always. He means the world to me: he is my life and feels all my emotions. I usually ride Bob myself at home with my mother my two sisters who also compete.”

Two points behind, Thea Karasova of Czech Republic riding her own Playin for Big Guns (Tinseltownsmokinggun x Playin For Big Chex) rode to the Reserve Championship in front of Belgian Jody Fonck who scored a 212.5 riding Chic Chic Hoorah (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Chuka Chic) owned by J&J Comm V.

For full results click here

Action continues in Givrins on Sunday, admission is free. Follow the action live here.

For all info regarding the 2022 SVAG NRHA European Affiliate Championships: cs-classic.com/en/general-info#reining

For more info and updates: NRHAEAC.com

Photos by Official Photographer Tom Hautmann

NRHA EAC Media Contact
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
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