It’s that time of the year when aged horses have one more chance to prove their worth: It’s NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) European Derby time in Lyon, France, and the best horse-rider combinations are ready to make their way to Equita Lyon, Salon du Cheval, where the prestigious event will be held.
Open to 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year old horses entered in the NRHA Nomination Program, this year the $207,000-Added Open and $95,000-Added Non Pro Derby divisions count 118 and 109 entries respectively. Offering a total of $302,000.00 added money, here’s the breakdown subject to change in nominations.
OPEN DERBY
$104,879 ADDED LEVEL 4 OPEN
$52,439 ADDED LEVEL 3 OPEN
$34,097 ADDED LEVEL 2 OPEN
$15,641 ADDED LEVEL 1 OPEN
NON PRO DERBY
$48,034 ADDED LEVEL 4 NON PRO
$24,017 ADDED LEVEL 3 NON PRO
$15,641 ADDED LEVEL 2 NON PRO
$7,475 ADDED LEVEL 1 NON PRO
The Run For A Million Qualifiers
For the third year running, a chance to grab a ticket to the 2026 The Run For A Million (TRFAM) – Million Dollar Competition, 50k Non Pro and Youth, is offered at the NRHA Euro Derby. The highlight of the show will be on Saturday night when both the Open Derby Finals and TRFAM Million Dollar Qualifier will be held. Get your ticket here: https://fb-gle.tickandlive.com/?idwl=1
APHA Chrome Cash returns
Since 2022, the American Paint Horse Association Chrome Cash program has distributed over $50,000 in NRHA European events. This year it brings $8,000 split between the Open and Non Pro Derby divisions across all four levels. No qualifying is required and it’s not too late to enter Chrome Cash at Equita Lyon. Stop by the booth or email international@apha to get started.
NRHA Professional Arnaud Girinon won the 2024 NRHA European Derby and Chrome Cash Level 4 Open, qualified for The Run For A Million/Million Dollar Competition 2025, and came back from Vegas victorious riding Flexing Guns N Town (Hollywoodtinseltown x Shes A Fashion Gun), a 6-year-old stallion owned by Anna Scheiflinger. This year, the duo will once again vie for the titles!
About Equita Lyon:
From October 29 to November 2, 2025, Eurexpo Lyon will be transformed into Europe’s largest temporary equestrian venue, featuring expansive stables and exhibition halls. Covering a total of 140,000 m², Equita Lyon, Le Salon du Cheval de Lyon, together with Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, invites equestrian enthusiasts and the general public to enjoy an immersive experience that awakens all the senses. Visitors can look forward to world-class competitions, spectacular equestrian shows and events, opportunities to meet and interact with horses and ponies, a wide variety of food stalls offering regional specialties, and much more. experiences to share. The 31st Lyon Horse Show is a real feast for the senses!
To find out more: https://www.equitalyon.com/en/news/equita-lyon-le-salon-du-cheval-de-lyon-experience-enjoy-among-friends-or-whole-family
If you can’t make it to Lyon, follow the live stream here: https://play2ride.tv/episodes/2025nrhaderby/ and the livescore here: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1744
For further info: www.nrhaeuropeanderby.com
Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press – Whatsapp: +393405354629
