Lyon, November 1—The successful 2026 edition of the NRHA European Derby, held at Equita Lyon in Lyon, France, concluded on Sunday, November 1. Following the crowning of the Derby Champions, the spotlight turned to the NRHA approved ancillary classes.
$10,000-Added HT AIR NRHA Grand Prix Open
Performing to a 222, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Manuel Cortesi of Italy claimed the prestigious $10,000-Added NRHA Open with a beautiful ride aboard Frozen Sven for owners 7 Heaven Horses. The 6-year-old stallion (NRHA $5 Million Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Ladymaster) and Cortesi have multiple titles to their names, including the NRHA Germany Breeders Open Futurity title, Reserve Championships at the IRHA Open Futurity and NRHA European Futurity Open, and the IRHA Open Derby, Maturity, and 4-year-old IRHA Futurity wins. “The show didn’t start too well: I made a mistake in the Open go-round, and I felt so sorry for this great horse and his owners. We then made the decision to show him today, and we did well. I got to show him the way he deserves to be shown, and I’m really happy,” said Cortesi.
$5,500-Added HT AIR NRHA Intermediate Open
French Professional Jeremy Ropert rode Ares Voodoo Child 76 to a winning score of 216 in the $5,500-Added HT AIR Intermediate Open. The 5-year-old stallion, owned by Nirvana Ranch, is sired by NRHA $6 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr and is out of RS Leonardo Lena.
$7,700-Added HT AIR NRHA Grand Prix Non Pro and $500-Added Limited Non Pro
In a field of 13 entries, Emma Louise Eggen of Norway and RC Gun Master Man (NRHA $18 Million Sire Gunnatrashya x Ladymaster), owned by TP Ranch, took a strong lead early in the morning, posting a 218.5 to claim both the $7,700-Added Grand Prix Non Pro and the $500-Added Limited Non Pro sponsored by HT AIR. The 14-year-old, who rides under the guidance of her father, Tor Erik, claimed the NRHA EAC Non Pro Championship in Grathem, the Netherlands, and also punched her ticket to the European Derby Non Pro Finals by posting the second-highest score in the qualifier.
€2,340-Added NRHA Youth sponsored by NRHA France
Italy’s Matteo Ganasi rode his own 8-year-old gelding, KN Arsenico Chic (Hesa Mega Whiz x KN Miss Chic Tari), to a score of 209.5 to win the NRHA Youth 14–18 class. For the 17-year-old rider and his family, this was their first win in Lyon after having competed there in both 2024 and 2025.
“I’m really happy. I purchased my horse from [NRHA Professional] Adriano Meacci three years ago. I had a lot to learn, and, under the guidance of my trainer, Bruna Balduzzi, my horse taught me a lot,” he said. “He’s a very consistent, kind, and calm horse—I couldn’t have found a better mount.”
Peter Schmid of Germany and CC Ruf On Step, a 5-year-old gelding (Steppin On Sparks x Sailin Little Par) owned by Andreas Schmid, scored a 203 to top the NRHA Youth 13 & Under class.
The 17th edition of the NRHA European Derby will return to Lyon during the 33rd edition of Equita Lyon, Salon du Cheval de Lyon, on October 27–31, 2027.
For further information and complete results: www.nrhaeuropeanderby.com
Photos by Wanted Photo
Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
