Lyon, November 1—In front of a full house, the 2025 NRHA European Derby Open Finals did not disappoint. Italy’s Alessandro Frassa reined 23 Quarter Horses Srl’s owned, bred, and nominated Shining Guns N Roses to the $106,770-Added Level (L)4 Derby Open Championship.
Held in Lyon, France, at the renowned Equita Lyon and Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International, the NRHA European Derby Open Finals and $11,000-Added The Run For The Million 2026 Open Qualifier lit up the Oklahoma stage with the Italian Professional, head trainer at 23 Quarter Horses, performing to a winning 225.5 score aboard the 5-year-old mare by NRHA $4 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun out of Roses For Einstein. “She’s a mare that we had at home and I had the pleasure of being able to ride her thanks to Manuel [Bonzano]. She is the best horse I’ve ever ridden and is simply fantastic,” said the Italian Professional. “She is with you all the time, so easy to ride, and you can always trust her. Right now I’m hoping that this is not a dream! I have to thank Manuel, Mimi [Manuele Bonzano], my wife Cinzia, and all my team.”
Taking Reserve honors with a 222.5 score was NRHA Million Rider Ann Fonck of Belgium and Flor Shining Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Shine On Ruff), a 5-year-old stallion owned, bred and nominated by Codan NV.
$53,835-Added Level 3
German Professional Jasmin Andersdotter and Sparkling And Spooky (NRHA $4 Millions Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Ebony Spook), a 6-year-old gelding bred and nominated by NRHA Hall of Famer Rosanne Sternberg, and owned by Alina Sira Herzlinger, scored a 222 for the win.
“This is my second year showing at this show. Last year, we won the Level 1 Open Derby here and this year, I was only Level 3 and 4 eligible, so my goal for the European derby was just to make the finals, and have a clean run, and he exceeded all my expectations! He gave me everything, truly his 100%, so I have no words. I am so happy.”
Early in the draw, Kim Obenhaus of Belgium and KB The Joker (Colonels Shining Gun x Pumpkin Rooster), 5-year-old stallion owned by Koen Brutsaert and nominated by Bo Brutsaert, scored a 220.5; it held until Andersdotter bested her score. Obenhaus and her mount settled for the reserve spot.
$34,759-Added Level 2
Tying for the L2 Co-Championship with a 219 score was Belgian Jody Fonck riding Rosanne Sternberg’s owned and bred 5-year-old mare Brillante Spook (NRHA $9 Million Sire Smart Spook x NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Shines), and French professional Fabien Boiron aboard MAQ Ivory Pearl (NRHA $4 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Spooks Pearl), a 5-year-old mare owned by Ruth Schlauri, and bred and nominated by La Maqueline.
“It was a really fun run. She is such a great minded mare. Her breeding speaks for herself, she is a true reining royalty, and she is fun to ride,” said Fonck, who has been riding the mare for a short period of time. “Stefano Ferri trained her, so I have to give him credit for our success too, because he helped me a lot to get to know her.”
Boiron was quick to credit his mount: “I am really happy with her, because I know that she was a bit tired today. She could be stronger in some maneuvers, but this was all we got, and I am 100% satisfied with the results. This is my favorite show of the year, because it is in France, and it is a great challenge for all my friends from different European countries to compete here.”
$15,925-Added Level 1
Thomas Sciascia of France and Colonel Electricwhiz (JD Colonel Whiz x Electra Stop Ruff), an 8-year-old stallion, bred and nominated by Claude Roux, and owned by Krystel Galtier, performed a to a 217.5, to earn the L1 Championship. “My horse was very good for me today and I’m really happy about our run. I have been riding him for about a year and he is a strong turner, so I think that helped us a lot today. I love the show atmosphere here, it is very exciting to show in front of the full cheering stands, and I also appreciate that it is in my home country of France.”
Julia Wagner of Germany and Shinersdancingvoodoo (NRHA $5 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Lil Dancing Queen), an 8-year-old mare bred and nominated by Katie Van Der Auwera, and owned by Julia Afflerbach, scored a 216.5 to bring home the Reserve Championship.
European Derby APHA Chrome Cash Open Champions
The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash Non Pro division counted 28 entries across the four levels. Since 2022, Chrome Cash has paid out over $50,000 in European reining events, and distributed $8,000 in the Open and Non Pro European Derby divisions.
$1,000-Added Level 4 Champions
French Professional Arnaud Girinon and his trusted companion Flexing Guns N Town (NRHA $4 Million Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Shesa Fashion Gun) performed to a 219 score, which brought them the Chrome Cash L4 Open Championship. The 6-year-old stallion, this year’s The Run For A Million Champion and the European Derby Qualifier leader, is proudly owned and nominated by Anna Maria Scheiflinger.
$1,000-Added Level 3 & $1,000-Added Level 2 Champions
Lars Suechting of Germany rode Nadine Zuercher’s 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, to a score of 216 to top the two divisions.
$1,000-Added Level 1 Champions
Hungarian NRHA Professional Nikolett Legindi, now based in Spain, and Custom Ice Delux (Gunner On Ice x Revolution In Crome) scored a 201 to win the L1. The 7-year-old stallion, bred and nominated by Natascha Duhr, is owned by China’s Liu Xiaoou.
NRHA #facts
European Derby Open $152,330 total added Nomination money:
• Level 4 – $76,169 Nomination
• Level 3 – $38,085 Nomination
• Level 2 – $26,660 Nomination
• Level 1 – $11,425 Nomination
Saturday NRHA Ancillary Action
Open Finals day started with the $3,500-Added NRHA Intermediate Non Pro Grand Prix. In a field of 30 entries, Germany’s Christine Wilinski and her own Uss N Dun It (Reminic N Dunit x USS Enterprise), a 20-year-old stallion bred by Gary Putnam, rode to top honors with a 212.5 score.
A half point behind, Alicia Levander of Sweden rode her 6-year-old gelding Shinersvoodoojunior (Shiners Voodoo x MV Miss Chocolatekid) to second place.
For full results: https://www.showmanager.info/Result.aspx?eventID=34168&turnierID=1744&klassenID=111&status=3
Sunday Ancillary Action & TRFAM Qualifier
The 15th edition of the NRHA European Derby will close with the $7,700-Added Non NRHA Pro Grand Prix & The Run For A Million (TRFAM) Non Pro Qualifier run class-in-class with the $500-Added AM Rising Star NRHA Limited Non Pro. The NRHA Youth TRFAM Championship 2026 Qualifier and $10,000-Added NRHA Open and $5,500-Added NRHA Intermediate Open will bid adieu to the 2025 edition of the incredible NRHA European Derby.
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
