Lyon, October 30—In 2024, Equita Lyon and Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, welcomed close to 200,000 international visitors. This great stage — Europe’s largest temporary stable and exhibition hall — is host to the $302,000-Added NRHA European Derby celebrating its 15th edition with riders from 17 countries riding for their flag.
Open to 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old horses entered in the NRHA Nomination program, today 116 combinations performed in the Equita Lyon Western Horse Show “Oklahoma” arena. The best and most acclaimed horses and riders performed vying for a spot in Saturday’s Open Finals and for a chance to qualify for The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Competition 2026 which will be held in Las Vegas, USA.
$104,879-Added LEVEL 4
Arnaud Girinon and his 2024 NRHA Euro Derby Champion and The Run For A Million 2025 Million Dollar Competition companion, Flexing Guns N Town, set the bar in the first section of the Qualifier by performing to a 222. The French professional and Anna Maria Scheiflinger’s owned and nominated palomino by NRHA $4 Million Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Shesa Fashion Gun, held the lead until the end. “We were lucky to win the qualifier again this year,” said Girinon. “He was great for me today. I am thankful for my whole team, everything worked out. Before the finals, I will make sure that he stays focused, and will be there for me—I will do my best.” Bubble score for the L4 Finals: 216.
$52,439-Added LEVEL 3
With a 219.5 score, Italy’s Andrea Costa and Gunnaceemerock (NRHA $16 Million Sire Gunnatrashya x Arc Cee N Sparks), owned by Daniel Straumann and nominated by Arcese Quarter Horses USA, took the lead. Bubble score: 214.5.
$34,097-Added LEVEL 2
There was a four-way tie for the lead in the L2 with a 216.5 score: Lars Suechting of Germany and TR Gunshine (NRHA $3 Million Sire Shine Chic Shine x Kr Ima Gunner), an 8-year-old mare bred and nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC, and owned by Nadine Zuercher; Julia Wagner and Shinersdancingvoodoo; Jody Fonck and Brillante Spook (NRHA $9 Million Sire Smart Spook x NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Shines), a 5-year-old mare owned and nominated by Rosanne Sternberg; and Thomas Sciascia riding Colonel Electricwhiz. Bubble Score: 213.
$15,641-Added LEVEL 1
Tying for the lead with a 216.5 score was Austria’s Julia Wagner riding Julia Afflerbach’s Shinersdancingvoodoo, an 8-year-old mare by NRHA $5 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Lil Dancing Queen nominated by Katie Van Der Auwera; and Thomas Sciascia for France riding Colonel Electricwhiz (JD Colonel Whiz x Electra Stop Ruff), an 8-year-old stallion owned by Krystel Galtier and nominated by David Roux. Bubble score: 208.
European Derby APHA Chrome Cash Open Division
The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Open division counted 28 entries across the four levels. Since 2022, Chrome Cash has paid out over $50,000 in European reining events, and is distributing $8,000 in the Open and Non Pro European Derby divisions.
Level 4 leaders: Arnaud Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town (Hollywoodstinseltown x Shesa Fashion Gun) owned by Anna Maria Scheiflinger.
Level 3 & Level 2 leaders: Lars Suechting and TR Gunshine (Shine Chic Shine x Kr Ima Gunner), owned by Nadine Zuercher.
Level 1 leaders: Luca Dossetto riding Trashya King (Gunnatrashya x CG Lady Corona) for owner Bernice Engel.
NRHA #facts
⁃ European Derby Open total added Nomination money $152,339
⁃ Level 4 Open Derby Nomination money $76,169
⁃ Level 3 Open Derby Nomination money $38,084
⁃ Level 2 Open Derby Nomination money $26,659
⁃ Level 1 Open Derby Nomination money $11,425
NRHA European Derby Non Pro Finals
On Friday, October 31, the NRHA European Derby Non Pro Finals will fill the day and the first 2025 Champions will be crowned.
NRHA European Derby Open Finals & TRFAM Qualifier
Saturday night tickets for the NRHA European Derby Open Finals and TRFAM Qualifier may be purchased here: https://www.equitalyon.com/fr/informations-billetterie
FOR FULL RESULTS: https://www.showmanager.info/LSResult.aspx?eventID=34161&turnierID=1744&klassenID=0&status=2
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 the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International (International Horse Show and Riding Competition), 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! Find out more at https://www.equitalyon.com/en
If you can’t make it to Lyon, watch live here: https://nrhaeuropeanderby.com/live
For further info: www.nrhaeuropeanderby.com
Photos by Wanted Photo
NRHA European Derby Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press – Whatsapp: +393405354629
