Cremona, November 13—Prior to the $39.930-Added Tenuta Equitem IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 4-Year-Old Non Pro Finals, the second day of the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE)/IRHA Italian Championship Finals took place in Cremona. Following the Non Pro Championship titles, awarded on Wednesday, today the Open and Youth Champions were determined.
The FISE/IRHA Italian Championships saw Open qualified riders perform in the Quarter Dream Arena at CremonaFiere vying for the prestigious year-end titles. In the Open division, Shane Mark Bass (Veneto) rose to the top of the leaderboard after performing to a 218 riding Alberto Sabbadin’s 5-year-old stallion Superwalla (Walla Walla Whiz x Ah Lady Oscar). The duo also claimed the Intermediate Open Championship. “I love this little horse, bred and owned by Sabadin, a very good friend of mine,” said Bass. “I am grateful for being able to show him and am thrilled with these two titles.”
Giacomo Poli Barberis (Tosacana) rode to the second step of the podium with Camilla Massa’s 5-year-old mare Lily Cashwiz (Lil Joe Cash x Ms Twist Whiz) and a 216.5 score. Closing the podium with a 215.5 was Stefano Cerutti (Piemonte) with FB Topsail Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Topsail Del Cielo), a 9-year-old mare owned by Domenico Giannitti.
In the Intermediate Open Championship second place honors, with a 213 score, were for Adriano Meacci (Toscana) and Lena Gun Whiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Nica Gun Lena), an 8-year old stallion owned by Mirko Tartufi. A half-point behind, Massimliano Malagnino (Puglia) took the bronze riding Marco Marsiglio’s 7-year-old stallion Spark N Tag (Spark N Whiz x Margarita Tag).
The FISE/IRHA Limited Open Italian Championship title, in a field of 19 finalists, saw Chiara Pinazzi (Lombardia) ride to the top after performing to a 213.5 aboard Guido Gandelli’s 6-year-old mare FB Topsail Sparkya (ARC Gunna Sparkya x Topsail Del Cielo ). “I’m very happy and grateful for this result,” said Panizzi who has had the mare in training since 2022. “She’s really sweet, a great show horse and, is also a school horse! At the moment we don’t know what her future holds, we will decide next year. In the meantime we are thrilled with this title which she deserves.” The silver medal, was for Luigi Panzeri (Lombardia) riding The Gunner Whiz (The Gunner King x Lucky Lil Whiz ), a 10-year-old gelding owned by Massimo Villa. Clinching the bronze was Chiara Cesari (Piemonte) aboard Moonlight Catalyst (OT Taris San Peppy x Miss Frozen Jaky), a 10-year-old mare owned by Alessandra Filippi.
The Open Italian Championship Finals were held concurrent with the $1.000-Added NRHA Open ancillary class where Belgium’s NRHA $2 Million Rider Bernard Fonck took the win with a 217 aboard Domenico Giannitti’s GD Peptos Olena Blue (Spat A x Blue Miss Peptos Jacky). “I’m always happpy to win. My horse did four runs in 10 days: three in Lyon at the Euro Derby, and now this run here today. It’s a lot for him, but that’s the way things work when two major shows run back to back,” said Fonck. “I’m happy with how he behaved: I like him a lot, he’s a good horse and I really want to thank Mimmo [Domenico Giannitti] for giving me the opportunity to show him. This year alone we won over $30.000 and he deserves it all.”
In second place, a point behind, was Saar Ben Hamo of Israel riding Tzvika Knaani’s Master Cassidy (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Master Snapper x Broadmoor Cassie).
FISE/IRHA Italian Youth
A youthful Thursday afternoon started with the FISE/IRHA Italian Youth Championships and 42 youth riders ready to battle for the prestigious medals. Riding straight to the highest step of the podium in the Youth 14-18 Finals was Eva Capello (Piemonte) aboard RS Wifi Jac (RS Great Jac Feona x RS Shadow Olena), an 11-year-old gelding owned by her father, Alberto Capello. “I had to do the regional championship, and showed every month and qualified to come here where I won. I’m really happy because I won with the best horse I could ever have. I’ve been riding him for the past four years and I’m really proud of both of us!” smiled a happy Eva.
Claiming the silver medal was Carlotta Lambrughi (Lombardia) with her 5-year-old gelding BH Double Spook (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sayos Last To Spook), and closing the podium was Anna Bergamelli (Lombardia) with her 7-year-old gelding Sparkwest (Spark N Whiz x West Coast Oak) between the reins.
IIn the Youth 13 & Under Italian Championship Final, Matilde Del Lago (Trentino) reined her way to the gold medal riding Mercedes Law Whiz (Cromed Out Mercedes x Lady In Law), a 10-year-old gelding owned by Martino Tretto. “I ride with Martino [Tretto] and I must admit that the road to the Finals was long. I changed horse during this year so I didn’t really get to know him well, but I am thrilled to have made it to the Finals. It’s all been really emotional and I am thrilled,” said Matilde who was quick to thank her family, her trainer, and her best friend Julia, who also showed in the qualifying regional shows with her.
Lorenzo Leonardi (Lazio) and 10-year-old gelding Master Jack Sparrow (Master Snapper x Smokin Sailor Jazzy) left the podium with the silver medal around his neck. The bronze was for Martina Menicucci (Toscana) and her own 4-year-old gelding Whiz Gunna Bee (Zins Smart x Whiz Gunna B Dee One).
In the NRHA Youth 14-18 ancillary class, Eva Capello rode RS Wifi Jac to first place scoring a 212. Tying for second place half-a-point behind were Isabel Morresi and Hollywood Gun Orima (Hollywood Gun Dun It x Miss Secorima); Anna Bergamelli and Sparkwest; Carlotta Lambrughi and BH Double Spook.
Claiming the win in the NRHA 13 & Under with a 207 score was Lorenzo Leonardi riding Master Jack Sparrow. “I’m really happy with these two results,” said the 12 year old who rides every day with NRHA Professional Alessandro Meconi. “I loved riding to qualify for the Italian Championships and showing in NRHA classes. It’s a great experience and I look forward to the qualifiers next year.” Second place was for Martina Menicucci aboard Whiz Gunna Bee scoring a 205.5; and a half point short, third place went to Lucilla Panizza riding CPR Star Stripnsnap (Star Spangled Whiz x CPR Lizzie Snap).
Friday Action: Sizzling competition will fill the day in Cremona on Friday, Nov. 14.: The $166.400-Added Spooks Gotta Whiz IRHA/IRHBA 3-Year-Old Non Pro Finals followed by the $84.865-Added GD Performance IRHA/IRHBA 4-Year-Old Finals will keep the public glued to their seats!
Tickets for the Quarter Dream $353.600-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA 3-year-old Open Futurity Level 4 Finals may be purchased at the CremonaFiere box office on Friday and Saturday morning.
Photos by Bonaga Communication
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