Lier, Sept. 19—NRHA $3 Million Rider Bernard Fonck, riding DG Andy Crush (NRHA Million Dollar Sire PS Mega Shine Chic x Gunners Specialolena) stormed in the Azelhof Arena, set on taking home the $50,000-Added NRHA Belgium 3-year-old Open Futurity Championship.
With a powerful ride that set the crowd on fire, the Belgian professional and the flashy sorrel stallion, owned and bred by Diego Dalla Gassa, delivered a flawless run, scoring a 228 with five riders left to go. Their score held strong, and the duo left Lier with yet another prestigious title to their name adding the Belgian L4 Open win to their 2025 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Open Futurity and 2026 NRHA European Futurity Open Championships. “He’s such an incredible horse – to the point that when I talk about him I get emotional,” said the Belgian Professional.
Fonck also claimed the Co-Reserve Championship riding Myriam Comparetto’s Sweet Little Diamond, a mare sired by Sugar Little Step and out of Diamond Snap; along with Anna-Maria Zehetbauer aboard SS Tarzan (NRHA $4 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Xtra Taris Voodoo), owned by Zeidelhof Reining Horses. Both scored a 221.5.
Matyas Gobert of Belgium, riding AT Reining Dreams This Biz, a stallion sired by NRHA $15 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Diva Dual, scored a 221 to claim the $15,000-Added Level 3 Open Futurity Championship.
Malin Billberg of Sweden and CD Charlie Top Gun (Americasnexttopgun x Tilla Spook), a mare owned by Società Agricola CD Horses, delivered a great performance, marking a 220.5 and clinching the $7,000-Added Level 2 title.
Rounding out the Open Futurity champions were Germany’s Fabienne Steiger and Arnelswallawhizcrome (NRHA $5 Million Sire Walla Whiz Crome x RS Arnels Feo Jac), a stallion owned by Sabrina Adam. With a 219 score, the pair rode to first place in the $3,000-Added Level 1.
Zehetbauer Steals the Spotlight in the NRHA Belgium 3-Year-Old Level 4 Non Pro Futurity
Austria’s Anna-Maria Zehetbauer and SS Ice Breaker rode straight to the NRHA Belgium $10,000-Added 3-Year-Old Level 4 Non Pro Futurity Championship, posting a winning score of 215. The talented gelding, owned by Zeidelhof Reining Horses, is by NRHA $4 Million Sire SG Frozen Enterprize and out of I Am Shocked. With SS Ice Breaker between the reins, Zehetbauer delivered a polished performance to take home the prestigious Level 4 title, after winning the $30,000-Added 3- & 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity with Surprising N Smart on Friday night.
Tying for the $5,000-Added Level 3 and $3,000-Added Level 2 Non Pro titles with a 213.5 score were Austria’s Alexander Nestelberger, riding Good Dr (NRHA $6 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Finest Copyshot), owned by Relex Reiners, and Italy’s 17-year-old Michael Schopfer aboard Innis N Gunn (Modern Gun x Jokin Chic), a mare owned by his father Markus Schopfer. The latter combination added the $2,000-Added Level 1 Championship to their list of achievements.
The 2026 of the NRHA Belgium Futurity closed with a bang in front of a house full of enthusiastic fans. Plans for 2027 are already in the works!
A special thank you to all the SPONSORS of this year’s edition of the NRHA Belgium Futurity.
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Chief Press Officer:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
Graphics & Press Office:
Chiara Milani / International Horse Press
