Lyon, October 30—In Lyon, France, the first 2026 NRHA European Derby Champions were crowned today. The 16th edition of the event, held at Equita Lyon, Salon du Cheval de Lyon, and open to 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old horses enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program, saw numbers skyrocket in terms of the number of horses and entries. Making the event all the more European was the presence of riders representing 18 countries from the Old Continent.

Level 4 

Victory was in the air when Bo Brutsaert of Belgium flew in the Oklahoma Arena with  her 6-year-old stallion KB The Joker between the reins. Earning a positive score on every maneuver, the pair walked out with a solid 221.5. Her score held until the end and the  $34,612-Added Non Pro Level (L)4 and the $17,305-Added L3 Championships were hers. The stout stallion by NRHA $5 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun and out of Pumpkin Rooster, was nominated by Bo and is owned by her  father, Koen Brutsaert.

Brutsaert was happy with her run. “He was just perfect. He was so sweet and so calm. I basically just had to sit on him and let him do his thing,” she said. “I really wanted to do well tonight. I knew I had a nice horse, but since there were so many good ones, it wasn’t easy. After winning the NRHA Germany Breeders Derby this year, I got the feeling, and I really wanted to do it again. He delivered, and I couldn’t be any happier. I bred him myself, and at the time, our mare was at a friend’s place. He is the second foal out of her, and it just worked out really well.”

Last to draw in the evening, Italy’s Antony De Lorenzis rode his own KC Thunder Tricks to the L4 and L3 Reserve Championship. The 6-year-old stallion, sired by Tricked Out Spook and out of April Sun Burst, was bred and nominated by Luca Cocola. “I’m really happy with this achievement. We’ve worked hard since the beginning of the season to get to this point, and I’m thrilled that all our efforts paid off. My horse was great from start to finish today, and I’m really proud of him,” said De Lorenzis, who rides under the guidance of NRHA Professional Davide Brighenti and who was competing in Lyon for the first time, was impressed with the event. “Everyone involved in organizing the show works incredibly hard, creating a wonderful atmosphere to compete in, which makes achieving good results even more rewarding.”

Level 2 Non Pro

Non Pro Qualifier leaders Arjan Van de Watering of the Netherlands and his 6-year-old gelding Epic Star (NRHA $1 Million Sire Arc Gunnabeabigstar x Spooks Fancy Diamond) scored a 218.5 to claim the $12,114-Added L2 Championship, along with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash L4, L3, and L2 titles. The double-registered AQHA/APHA palomino was bred by Van de Watering and nominated by Shirley Van de Watering. “It was very exciting right up until the end today. We were early in the draw, so we had quite a wait, but it all worked out well. My horse was really good for me. He performed all the maneuvers and stepped it up from the go-round, earning us a higher score. I’m very pleased with him,” said Van de Watering, adding, “He truly has a heart of gold. I look forward to competing in more derbies next season and continuing to enjoy their journey together.

Level 1 Non Pro

Swedish rider Arfwid Grytfors and his own 6-year-old mare Anthea Step (NRHA $2 Million Sire In Like Flinn x Chica Little Step), bred and nominated by Claudio Zocchi, scored a 215.5 to win the $5,191-Added L1 Championship and L2 Reserve honors. “She is such a lovely mare,” said the proud Champion about his mount. “I just bought her, so this is our first week together and only our second run in the arena. There were some flaws in the qualifier, but we made up for them tonight. It’s just fantastic, and I’m very happy with how she performed.” 

Youth Non Pro Derby presented by NRHA France

Danielle Azaria of Israel and Wimpys Dunnit Again (NRHA $5 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Wimpys Spice Girl), owned and nominated by Hadassah Azaria, delivered a thrilling run in the second section of the Non Pro Finals. Posting a 213.5, the duo claimed the $2,340-Added Youth Non Pro Derby Championship, L1 Reserve honors, and the APHA Chrome Cash L1 title. The 16-year-old purchased her mare three years ago in the U.S. and brought her home to Israel. Three months ago, the pair relocated to Italy, where they began preparing for the derby season under the guidance of Italian Professional Manuel Cortesi. “Manuel is the best. He really cares about his non-pros and is a great person. I couldn’t wish for a better trainer. This is a big accomplishment for me, and I want to thank my family. My mom was here with me in Italy, while my dad and sister are back in Israel. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

With a score of 210, two riders tied for second place in the Youth Non Pro Derby: Emma Louise Eggen of Norway aboard RC Gun Master Man (NRHA $18 Million Sire Gunnatrashya x Ladymaster), a 5-year-old gelding bred and nominated by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and owned by TP Ranch; and Matt Legrand of France riding his own GB Walla Joker (ARC Think Of Walla x Lil Smoky Girl), a 5-year-old gelding bred and nominated by Jo Corby.

The APHA Chrome Cash offered an additional $8,000 in added money to APHA-registered horses competing in both the Derby Open and Non Pro divisions. This year, the Non Pro Finals featured 13 finalists in L4, 11 in L3, 12 in L2, and 7 in L1.

NRHA Ancillary Action

Rookie Level 1 (12 entries) and Rookie Level 2 (11 entries)

Ophelia Viktoria Vildros Nordfeldt of Sweden and SG Ice Duke (NRHA $5 Million Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Wimpys Pattie Cake), owned by Filippa Viktoria Nordfeldt, scored a 211 to win both the NRHA Rookie Level 1 and Level 2 classes.

Limited Open

Austria’s Barbara Bayer marked a 210.5 with her two mounts to tie for the win in the NRHA Limited Open: Dun It Like Jojo (Colonels Shining Gun x Hollywood Baby Dunit), owned by Andreas Hoermannseder; and Tarys Percy Orima (Tarysmart x Jacflame), owned by Emanuel Peinhope.

The Euro Derby will close on Saturday with the $161,521-Added Open Finals starting with Section 1 at 12:15 p.m. The $80,760-Added L4 Open Finals will start at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets for the Level 4 Open Finals may be purchased online here

If you can’t make it to Lyon, watch live here
Live score here
For further info:  www.nrhaeuropeanderby.com
Photos by Wanted Photo
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