Lyon, October 31—An amazing group of horses and riders showed off their talent and ability in the NRHA European Derby $225,000-Added Open Finals in Lyon, France. A fierce battle for the Championship unfolded in the Oklahoma Arena at Equita Lyon, with Professional Lucie-Lina Egenter and BB Gotta Gold Tinsel claiming the win.
Level 4 Open
With only one combination left to go in the L4 Open Finals, the dynamic duo of Germany’s Egenter and BB Gotta Gold Tinsel (Gotta Gold Chain x JP Grays Starlett) thrilled the crowd and impressed the judges, who rewarded their performance with a score of 224, awarding them the $114,000-Added Level (L) 4 Open, $57,000-Added L3 Open, and $37,000-Added L2 Open Championships.
Egenter was emotional about her run. “I don’t think I realize what just happened. I feel so overwhelmed…my horse felt so amazing and was with me all the way, in every maneuver. He listened so well and it was such a nice feeling,” she said about the 8-year-old stallion owned and nominated by Barbara Braun. “I got him in training in March and we went on to win the IRHA Derby L2 Open title. Here, it all came together and I couldn’t be happier with him.” Egenter was quick to thank her family and team for their support.
Matyas Gobert of Belgium and Chex N The Trash (NRHA $18 Million Sire Gunnatrashya x Snip O Chex), a 5-year-old stallion owned and nominated by AT Reining Dream, added the L4 and L3 Reserve Championships to their show record after posting a 223. The pair came into the Finals following their 2026 NRHA EAC Open Championship win.
“I really enjoyed today; the crowd was fantastic and the atmosphere makes it really special to show here,” said Gobert. “I’ve had this horse since he was a yearling and he’s been very special to me since day one. Every time he enters the show pen he delivers and has been in the top three at every major event so far. I’m very, very proud of him.”
L2 Reserve honors went to Axel Pesek of France, who scored a 218 aboard AP Shine N Spark (Uncle Sparky x Whizy Bondalie), a 6-year-old stallion owned by Amandine Bonte and bred and nominated by Pesek.
Level 1 Open
Early in the draw, aboard her own 7-year-old gelding Vegas Royal Flash (High Roller Whiz x Ace Got It Dun), which she bred and nominated, Alina Janousch of Germany cruised around the arena to score a 212.5. They took the lead and ultimately claimed the $17,000-Added L1 Open Championship. “I bred him myself, so he’s very special and this really means a lot to me. He tries so hard and wants to please me so much, so I’m very, very happy with him today,” said Janousch. “I want to thank my parents for their precious support and all the people that have traveled with me on my journey with horses. Of course I have to thank my horses and I am just so grateful for them because they teach me so much.”
One point behind, two German riders tied for the Reserve Championship: Sven Boesl riding Dream Queen (NRHA $15 Million Sire Magnum Chic Dream x No Collen Me Trashy), a 5-year-old mare, owned by Renate Fliegl and bred and nominated by Cecilia Frediani; and Ann-Kathrin Bremstaller aboard her own 7-year-old mare CS Whiz Ice (NRHA $13 Million Sire Topsail Whiz x La Bigia Sailor), nominated by CS Ranch LLC.
Chrome Cash L4 and L3
NRHA Million Rider Grischa Ludwig of Germany showed Shinemydiamond (Shine My Gun x Ruf Lil Diamond), a 5-year-old mare owned, bred, and nominated by Gestut LQH, to a score of 219, claiming the APHA Chrome Cash L4 and L3 titles. “I’m glad we entered today and I’m grateful to APHA for their support of the sport,” he said. “We bred and raised this mare and she is a phenomenal horse. I rode her dam and her sire, so she is just special to me.”
Chrome Cash Level 2
French Professional Patryk Peszke and Facing The Cash (NRHA $5 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Joes Sweet Dream) scored a 213.5 to top the L2. The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Bernd Gagel and was bred and nominated by Isabeau Rohde. “I have been riding him since the beginning of this season and I really like him. Here we had a few bobbles in the qualifier but today he performed really well, so I am happy with him.”
Chrome Cash Level 1
The L1 title also went to France, with Lucile Buisson riding Artemide Spatwhiz 76 (NRHA $16 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x RS Countach Olena) to a score of 209.5. The 5-year-old mare is owned by BO Ranch and was bred and nominated by Alfredo Di Caro. “She is the cutest horse we have in our barn; she is small and tiny but she has a big heart. I’m super happy with her here and I hope we can do even better next time.”
Ancillary Action
In a field of 27 entries, Emma Louise Eggen of Norway and RC Gun Master Man (NRHA $18 Million Sire Gunnatrashya x Ladymaster), owned by TP Ranch, scored a 216 to top the NRHA Intermediate Non Pro class.
The NRHA European Derby will conclude on Sunday, November 1, with more ancillary action in the Oklahoma Arena, including the $10,000-Added Grand Prix Open and the $7,700-Added Grand Prix Non Pro.
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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Simona Diale/International Horse Press – Whatsapp: +393405354629
