Cremona, May 22—The first champions were crowned in Cremona, Italy, where the 18th edition of the $1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity is being held during the international Salone del Cavallo Americano. The $300,000-Added Non Pro Finals closed an intense day of competition with Elia Kompatscher and LC Whizdome Magout, a flashy gray gelding owned by his father, NRHA Professional Alois Kompatscher, claiming the $144,000-Added Non Pro Level (L)4 Championship, along with a guaranteed $50,000 paycheck.

“This is my first Euro Futurity win and I have no words, because I really didn’t think we could make it. My horse can be a little funky at home, but in the show pen, he is always focused,” said Kompatscher about his mount by Whizdom Shines out of Blue Berry Giada, bred by Chiara Ristori and nominated by Luca Chemolli. The pair, who closed with a 221 score, also claimed the $84,000-Added L3 Championship. The 20 year old was quick to thank his father, his family, and his team for their support preparing for the show.

A half point behind, sharing the L4 Reserve Championship, was fellow Italian Matteo Capello, riding Gun Nifty Dreams (Gotta Nifty Gun x My Dreams Gal), a gelding owned by Tenuta Equitem, bred by Chiara Parodi, and nominated by Vittorio Rabboni; and Belgium’s Dries Verschueren with GP Hollywoodshowtown (GP A Spook In Town x Smart CP Schow Girl), a stallion owned, bred, and nominated by Verschueren’s family-owned Golden Paint Ranch. The latter also took reserve honors in the L3 division.

Italy’s Stefano Carpentieri continued his winning streak in Cremona after topping both the L2 and L1 qualifiers aboard his Trend Starter (A Vintage Smoke x Slide By Spook), a gelding bred by Lorenzo Lotti and nominated by Sebastiano Valtorta. The duo scored a 219 to clinch the $45,000-Added L2 and $27,000-Added L1 Non Pro Championships. “This is only our third show together and I am very happy about our results. I’ve had this horse for a little over two months, so it is a big success for us and I am so glad that it all worked out,” he said.

Three riders posted a 215 sharing Reserve honors in the L2 division: Roberta Gianformaggio of Italy and her own bred-and-nominated mare Magnum Mooncrush (PS Mega Shine Chic x GP Magnificent Dream); fellow Italian Antonello Biscaglia and his own bred and nominated stallion AB Snow Flipingun (NRHA $5 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Flip O Lena Delmaso); and Czech Anna Palasová with SS Wimpyagain (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Gunner Dun It Again x Wimpystein), a gelding owned by Anna’s father, Petr Palas, bred by Samantha Serafini, and nominated by Matteo Antonelli. The latter also took Reserve honors in the L1.

APHA Chrome Cash Non Pro Champions

$1000-Added Chrome Cash Level 4: Anna-Maria Zehetbauer and SS Tarzan (NRHA $4 Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Xtra Taris Voodoo), owned and nominated by Zeidelhof Reining Horses (score 217).

$1000-Added Chrome Cash Level 3: Danielle Azaria and The Forces Genuine (Maytheforcebewhizyou x VR Genuinely Snapper), owned by Hadassah Azaria and nominated by Adriano Meacci (score 212.5).

$1000-Added Chrome Cash Level 2 & 1: Anna Palasová and SS Wimpyagain (Gunner Dun It Again x Wimpystein), owned by Petr Palas and nominated by Matteo Antonelli (score 215).

For full results click here

Saturday Action: The day will open with the $1,170-Added Non Pro, $936-Added Intermediate Non Pro, $234-Added Limited Non Pro, and the 2026 WRCC Qualifiers starting at 11 a.m. The $700,000-Added NRHA European Open Finals will start at 2 p.m. with Section 1, followed by the NRHA European Futurity $420,000-Added MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Open Finals at 8 p.m. Find the Open Finals Draw Sheet here Tickets for the Level 4 Open Finals may be purchased directly on site at the CremonaFiere Box Office. Please note that tickets may no longer be purchased online.

Download the Official Show Program here For further information, full results, live score and livestream: NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com

The NRHA European Futurity is hosted during the 39th edition of the Salone del Cavallo Americano at CremonaFiere. The fair, opened on Friday, May 22, has expanded by another 10%, confirming its position as Europe’s leading Western event covering 100,000 square meters, welcoming 700 horses and 1000 riders, 270 exhibitors, and over 30,000 expected spectators. The NCHA of Italy Derby and Spring Show, Cowboy Shooting Speed, Team Penning, and Ranch Sorting will also be held, along with 5,000 Country Passion line dancers.

For further info regarding the Salone del Cavallo Americano: SALONEDELCAVALLO.com

Photos by Bonaga Communication

NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:

Simona Diale/International Horse Press

Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629 – Email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com