Le Pin, July 16 – A busy morning opened the 2025 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Affiliate Championships (EAC) at Le Petit Far West in Le Pin, France. NRHA Professionals entered in multiple NRHA classes tested the ground at the Parc Équestre Francilien before the EAC classes begin on Friday, July 18.
The $3,000-Added NRHA Intermediate Open saw Alain Giraud of France and Smart Jewel Peppy (Gunner Little Jewel x Peppy Lil Joke), owned by Herve Mayeux, score a 143 to top the class. “This is an 8-year-old stallion — a truly sweet and honest partner in the show pen, with powerful stops and a great attitude. I’m so grateful to the owner for giving me the opportunity to ride such an amazing horse.” Looking ahead, Alain is eager for the upcoming EAC classes: “Of course I’m here to compete and give my best — I always show to win. But above all, what matters most is enjoying the ride, having fun, and sharing this experience with fellow riders from across Europe.”
French Christelle Graffeuil rode her own Customized Whizcrome (Custom Black Crome x Roxy Whiz Pine) to a 142 score, securing the victory in the $350-Added NRHA Limited Open. “This show is incredible — the atmosphere is amazing, and everyone has been so kind and welcoming,” said Christelle following her win. Riding her longtime partner, a 13-year-old gelding, to the victory, she described her horse as irreplaceable. “He’s my number one horse. We’ve won so much together over the years, and he still gives me everything he’s got every time we walk in the pen. He’s got a huge heart, and we just feel so in sync. Even at 13, he still loves to play and have fun — that’s just who he is.”
AK Quarter Horses’ Miss Maggie Brown (NRHA $13 Million Sire Magnum Chic Dream x Hollywood Footprints) and Trudy Van Der Plas of the Netherlands earned the top score of 140.5 to claim the NRHA Rookie Professional class. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to win today because it’s only my first show riding this mare — we’ve been working together for just a little over a month. Getting such a great result so early has me really excited and motivated. I’m really looking forward to the next few days of competition to get to know her better and see how far we can go together.”
In the largest class of the day, 36 horse-rider combinations entered the arena to compete for the NRHA Rookie Level 1 and 2 titles with three riders topping the Level 2 class. Anna Bradács of Germany rode her 11-year-old gelding Mr Lucky Dual Nic (Bam Bam Nic x PC Miss Dualin Gun) to top honors in both Rookie Level 1 and 2 scoring 138.5.
“My horse was super good today. I especially liked his circles, that is his best maneuver,” said the happy rider, who purchased the gelding as a 4-year-old, started him herself, and has been showing him since. “We will be back for the EAC Rookie and then hopefully enter some Non Pro classes as well,” closed Bradács.
Two riders joined Bradács for top honors in Rookie Level 2: Hannah Griesmayer of Austria riding her own gelding Asbrightasgun (Tinseltownsmokingun x Asbright As Einstein); and Luigi Sabatino of Italy with QQ Merlin Whizard (NRHA $4 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Whiz A Blue) owned by Sabatino QH.
“I am really happy about our run,” said Griesmayer. “I don’t have any more classes to show him in at this event, so this was our only run here and it worked out perfect. He will show again in the EAC Intermediate and Limited Open classes with my trainer Miroslav Baniari at the end of this week and then we will reunite in the show pen in Lyon later this year for the NRHA European Derby.”
Sabatino was pleased with his horse’s performance in the first class of the show. “We made a last-minute decision to bring this horse, which I haven’t ridden since last year’s Futurity, as part of our preparation for the NRHA European Derby. It’s wonderful to see so many riders from all over Europe gathered here in such a friendly and welcoming environment. I believe this is the kind of event that deserves to be repeated, with the hope of seeing even more riders in the arena in the future.”
Youth Action
National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) International Liaison Ava Smedley welcomed European Youth riders at the Youth meeting held during the first day of the competition. Riders got to meet NRHA Professional Jody Fonck, as well as NRHA Sr. Coordinator of Affiliate Programs & Shows Lauren Waymire and Sr. Manager of Award & Show Services Kristen Liesman. The fun filled afternoon with games and learning activities was organized by NRHyA in cooperation with NRHA France. Teams for the NRHA Youth Team Tournament were also determined during the meeting to give riders the opportunity to meet their teammates before the competition.
The NRHA Youth Team Tournament will take place on Saturday, 19, during the Youth EAC classes with teams composed of two 13 & Under and two 14-18 riders. The team with the three highest scores posted in the NRHA EAC Youth classes (the lowest score will be dropped) on Saturday morning will take home the NRHA buckles, and all teams will be awarded with NRHA medals. 12 duos from five countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, The Netherlands) are currently entered in the competition.
The first NRHA European Affiliate Championships will begin on Friday with a total of 167 horse-rider combinations set to compete vying for the titles at this year’s edition. Riders can still enter the classes they qualified for until 2 p.m. the previous day.
The 23rd edition of the EA Championship classes, will feature the:
- $10,000-Added NRHA Open
- $4,500-Added NRHA Intermediate Open
- $500-Added NRHA Limited Open
- $500-Added NRHA Rookie Professional
- $5,000-Added NRHA Non Pro
- $3,500-Added NRHA Intermediate Non Pro
- $500-Added NRHA Limited Non Pro
- $200-Added NRHA Rookie
- $100-Added NRHA Youth 13 & Under
- $100-Added Youth 14–18
American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Incentive
This year at the NRHA EAC, Chrome Cash Incentive payouts of $500 will be awarded in each of the following EAC classes: Youth 13 & Under/Youth 14–18, Intermediate Open/Rookie Pro, Open/Limited Open, Non Pro/Limited Non Pro, Rookie Level 1
Don’t miss your chance to earn bonus cash just for riding a Paint! The only requirement? Your horse must be APHA-registered! Chrome Cash is a “class in class” — easy to enter and extra rewarding.
Reach out to APHA International Director Irene Stamatelakys at the show:
WhatsApp: +33 (0)6 85 23 11 50
Email: irene@apha.com
Riders Spotlight
Viktor De Boever of Belgium is the youngest competitor at this year’s EAC. The 11-year-old rider brought two mounts to compete in the EAC Youth 13 & Under Championship: Spookin Ricochet (Ricochet Rooster x Spool Pop Chex) and SR Wimpys Littlewhiz (Wimpys Littlecolonel x Holly Dun Conquista). “My horses are really fun to ride and always nice to be around at the barn. They are both very talented and they both eat a lot,” smiled the young Belgian and continued: “I really like the show. We have a fun time here. My trainer Ernst Claassen always tells me that I need to learn and focus on my horses and not on the ones around, so that is the plan for the show here.”
For further information: NRHAEAC.com
Live score: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1640
Livestream (FREE): https://chevaltv.fr/programs/nrha-european-affiliates-paris-2025
Photos by John Photography
NRHA EAC Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
internationalhorsepress@gmail.com
