Givrins, July 9 — Provided by Simona Diale — The first day of competition at the World Reining Championships 2025, presented by SVAG Schweizer Vermögensberatung and hosted by CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland, offered the Prime Time Non Pro Riders, Para Reining Riders, and Young Professional Riders Team competition. Sweeping the gold medals in all three classes was Italy.
Prime Time Non Pro Riders
Topping the leaderboard was Team Italy with a 633.5 total score and placing five out of six riders in the Individual competition. The highest score (216) was posted by Roberta Gianformaggio riding One Shot One Nic (Rooster Nic x Smart Jakalope) and was followed by Andrea Castrucci (213) aboard RS Nebbiolo Blue (Spat A Blue x RS Hollywood Hglo), and by Roberto Priori (204.5) with his KN Velvet Skeet Whiz (Hesa Mega Whiz x KM Miss Sweet Badger). With a beautiful ride, the fourth member Lisa Bianchi and her mount Gold In O Gun (LC Spat Lenas Gun x Sailor Golda), unfortunately closed with a zero after performing to 5 spins.
Senior Team Coach Adriano Meacci was thrilled with the win. “This competition was mainly from the heart rather than technique and it was very emotional for all of us. The rider’s main goal was to keep the Italian flag flying high and they did it. It was a tough competition with Team NRHA France and Team NRHA Germany e.V. putting the pressure on. We are all super proud and now look forward to the individual competition.”
Team France closed with a total of 630 and the silver medal followed by bronze medalist Team Germany with a 626.
Para Reining Riders
The Elementa sponsored Para Reining Riders Team slid to the highest step of the podium in the World Reining Para Reining Riders Championship with Martina Panizza and Bliss Bobbette San (In Like Flinn x Docs Steady San) closing with a 215 and Paolo Pettena riding Superwalla (Walla Walla Whiz x Ah Lady Oscar) scoring a 212. Sara Borgonovo and Ginger Rooster (Ricochet Rooster x High Brow Ginger) performed a beautiful ride but unfortunately closed with a zero score after executing an extra spin.
“It went as we hoped and we are all thrilled,” said Alessandro Pavoni, FISE Coach for the para reining athletes. “Martina and her horse once again proved they are able to put down a great performance; Paolo came with a new horse and showed what a mature rider he is by showing off his mount’s ability; and Sara rode very well though unfortunately spun four times…her horse likes spinning! With Marco Tanzi showing only in the individual competition, we have three para reiners qualified and are very happy with this result.”
Claiming the Silver Medal was Team Europe thanks to the performances of Great Britain’s Wayne Lightbrown riding Legendary Chuka (Custom Legend x Chuka Chic) to a 210 and France’s Ophelie de Fabistski pilotin Roosterlena (Ricochet Rooster x Smart Chic San) to a 207.
Young Professional Riders Team
It was a three-peat for the Italians as they went to claim the Team Young Professional Riders gold medal with a total of 640.5 score. Siliding to the highest step of the podium were Mattia Malagnino and RHR Splittin Bella (Spat Split And White x Miss Dottie Ricochet) scoring a 215.5; Gabriele Costantini and Whizkey Princess (Dun It For Whizkey x Watch My Guns) posting a 213; Pietro Sala with Custom Rosalita (Custom Blackberry x Margarita Boonsmal) with a 212 score and Vittorio de Iulio aboard Shine Chic Sailor (Shine Chic Shine x Sailor Chicca) closing with a 208.5. “We came to the World Reining to keep the Italian flag flying high since two years ago we confirmed that we could top the leaderboards,” said Italy’s Junior Teams Coach Alessandro Meconi. “Defending a title is always more difficult because the pressure is twice as high, and these riders were perfect. They left emotions out of the show pen and focused on performing! I am very proud of all of them.”
Closing with a total of 633.5 points Team Germany secured the Young Professional Riders Silver medal. Celine Beisel scored a 215.5 riding ND Platinum Card (Platinum Vintage x Lil Ruf Cee Blair); Thea Maschalani and Whizzen Lewis (Topsail Whiz x Shine On Ruff) closed with a 213; Joline Kamphuis riding One Shining Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Shining Sienna) closed with a 205; Lisa Marie Wiechers riding Spinderella Story (Smart Spook x Custom Spinderella) closed with a 204.5.
Clinching the bronze with 619.5 points was Team France who showcased talent and promise riders across the board. Representing their country was Axel Pesek who scored a 209 riding Releoaded Gun (Gunner x Shes Berry Flashy); Margaux Legrand with GB Frozen Queen (Nicmeridalittlestep x KS Flyaway) scoring a 207; Benjamin Blaise and (BHB Mr Wimpys Royal x Okies Little Diamond) witha 203.5; and Maya Robert-Marrie (CJ Whiz x Lil Nu Chex) who unfortunately concluded with a zero score.
The World Reining Championships offer the Junior (ages 14–18), Young Riders (ages 19–25, divided into Non Professional and Professional), Non Pro, Open Riders (ages 26 and up), Prime Time Non Pro Riders (age 50 and above), and Para Reining divisions.
On the final two days of competition—Friday and Saturday—qualified athletes will once again enter the show arena, vying for the Individual medals.
Owned by NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) Three Million Dollar Owner Corinna Schumacher, the venue is the largest and most modern state-of-the-art facility, operated with love and dedication by Corinna and her daughter, NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Gina Schumacher Bethke. The ranch will host the largest international reining competition to date, offering a total of €168.000 in prize money and making history, with 14 participating nations.
If you cannot make it to Givrins—where entry is free for the entire event—you can follow the action live and for free here: https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_EU/events/17060
Photos by Tom Hautmann Photography
Clean Sport & Love for Horses
Events held under the World Reining rules place special emphasis on clean sport. Strict protocols are in place regarding medication and animal welfare to ensure the best possible environment for the horses. With more than 15 years of experience organizing world-class reining events, the SMA (Show Management Association) team is committed to delivering an exceptional experience for riders, officials, and spectators at the World Reining Championships 2025, presented by SVAG Schweizer Vermögensberatung.
Media Contact
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
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