Cremona, November 7—One of Europe’s highest-paying reining events, featuring over 700 horses competing in Cremona, Italy, kicked off yesterday. With $880,000 in added money, the IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity features both the 3- and 4-year-old Futurities, open to offspring of stallions enrolled in the International Reining Horse Breeders Association (IRHBA) program.
The action opened on Friday, November 6, with the $175,000-Added 4-Year-Old Open Futurity Qualifier with 121 horse-and-rider combinations making their way into the renowned Quarter Dream Arena at CremonaFiere. The Futurity is being held alongside the NCHA of Italy European Cutting Futurity and the line-dancing Round Up Country Festival.
Level 4 Open Futurity
Topping both the $119,047-Added Level (L) 4 and $32,175-Added Level 3, which counted 56 and 69 entries respectively, was Sebastiano Valtorta. The Italian Professional rode In Like Flinnstone (NRHA $2 Million Sire In Like Flinn x Shyawhiz), a stallion owned and bred by Piergiuseppe Guidetti, to a score of 222. The pari boasts the 2026 NRHA European Futurity L3 and L4 Open Reserve Championships.
Level 2 & L1 Open Futurity
Moreno Sacchi and Gun O War, a stallion by NRHA $5 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun out of Polly Got Sparks, owned by Lavinia Padrini and bred by Cecilia Frediani, scored a 219 to top the $16,087-Added Level 2 which counted 78 entries.
Taking the lead in the $7,722-Added Level 1, which counted 36 entries, was Desire Lucchetta, who rode her own CD Mucho Shoot Gun (Guns R For Shootin x Arlena Chex), a stallion bred by Società Agricola CD Horses, to a score of 213.5.
Prime Time Open
NRHA Million Dollar Rider Grischa Ludwig and Hot Chic Vintage (NRHA Million Dollar Sire A Vintage Smoke x Hot Chic With A Gun), owned by Jan Juricak and bred by Musacci Performance Horses, scored a 218.5 to top the leaderboard.
The Program
Saturday welcomes the first section of the first go round of the $397,890-Added Foals R Us 3-year-old Open Futurity. A total of 127 of the best European professionals will perform today. The section will conclude tomorrow, and on Tuesday, Nov. 10, the second go round will see the competitors ride back for a ticket to the Saturday night Finals: The top 20 highest combined scores* in L4, L3, and L2 as well as the top combined score* in the L1 and the two highest* in the Prime Time Open will qualify. [*plus ties]
View the full event schedule here explore the Official Show Program.
Photos by Bonaga Communication
Can’t make it to Cremona? Follow all the action online!
- Live Scores: Follow the results
- Live Stream: Watch the competition
Daily admission tickets and tickets for the Level 4 Open Futurity Finals will be available for purchase at the box office on-site. No online advance ticket sales are available.
Media Contact: Simona Diale / International Horse Press
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