Grathem, July 23 — The 2026 NRHA European Affiliate Championships (EAC) officially got underway on Wednesday, July 22, at Reining Center Meertenhof in Grathem, the Netherlands.
Managed by the Dutch Reining Horse Association (DRHA), two days of NRHA ancillary action kicked off the event after months of work behind the scenes. A total of 246 horses and 200 riders representing 14 countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom), made their way to the Dutch town vying for the titles. The numbers surpassed all expectations.
“Since the Netherlands hosted the EAC in 2004 in Deurne, this is the first time we’ve been back and we are going bigger and better! In a week we were fully booked; an achievement we are really proud of,” said DRHA President, Pien Boots. “First of all, I would like to thank my EAC committee colleagues Bianca Bekking (show office), Yvette Kerkhof (treasurer), Leonoor de Bruin (VIP and overall styling), and Paulus Beurskens (sponsoring), for all their extra effort regarding this event as well as our DRHA board members and Claudia Dermois, who helped with the preparations. A special thank you goes to our volunteers, who will be working almost around the clock in order to run everything as smoothly as possible for you.” Boots also saluted Reiningcenter Meertenhof, which worked for weeks in order to get the venue into the best possible shape for the show and the huge number of sponsors who made it possible to add money to the classes and provide extra prizes for the ceremonies. “And let’s not forget the riders, owners, and reining enthusiasts!” she added.
The first five NRHA EAC classes will be held on Friday, July 24, with the remaining five concluding on Saturday. Once again, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Chrome Cash $500 incentive will be offered in the Intermediate Non Pro and Intermediate Open, Limited Non Pro, Non Pro, and Open EAC classes.
NRHA Ancillary Action Champions
Each Champion received a custom-made buckle offered by Donut Bits & Spurs and DRHA.
De Coogh Rookie Level 1 (44 entries) – Helena Wass of Sweden & TR Maverick Cat (TR Dual Rey x Lenas Bay Cat) owned by Waldemar Wass – score 71.5.
$100-Added Rookie Level 2 (37 entries) – Julie Douillet of Belgium & Vintage Days RM (NRHA $4 Million Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Starmax Rm), bred by Massimo Rudari, owned by Benjamin El Hichri and Julie Douillet – score 72.
EuroHorse Youth 14-18 (12 entries) – Melanie Toft Gerdes-Hansen of Denmark & her own Gunna Outgun Ya (NRHA $16 Million Sire Gunnatrashya x Shining Queen Tinia), bred by Gray-Leigh Wilson – score 71.
Markel Youth 13 & Under (7 entries) – Viktor De Boever of Belgium & SR Wimpys Littlewhiz (Wimpys Littlecolonel x Holly Dun Conquista), bred by Stefanie Orth, owned by Deboti Bvba – score 70.
$1,000-Added RH Support Intermediate Non Pro (48 entries) – George Sternberg Allen of Great Britain & Red Dirt Paleface (NRHA $4 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Lost In Tinseltown), bred by Tim J Anderson, owned by Francesca Sternberg – score 144.5.
$1,500-Added Fonck Performance Horses Intermediate Open (31 entries) – Markus Suechting of Germany & SS Beastmode (NRHA $4 Million Dollar Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Maggie Chic Dream), bred by Lil Equine LLC, owned by Katja Jungfer – score 146.5.
$500-Added 2BE Ranch Rookie Professional (17 entries) – Ashley Lindeman of the Netherlands & her own Wimpys Shining Gun (Wimpys Smoking Gun x Turbos Shining Rose), bred by Rieky Young – score 141.
$500-Added AM Rising Star Limited Open (23 entries) – Palden Allon Schooneman of the Netherlands & Berly Sun Burst (Great Sun Burst x Surprise Me Jackie), bred by 23 Quarter Horses, owned by Astrid Bax – score of 143.5.
$500-Added Arcese Limited Non Pro (73 entries) – Silke Hendrix of Belgium & SG What A Dream (What A Wave x Dun A Lotta Dreamin), bred by El Picadero LLC, owned by Jo Hendrix – score 143.5
$2,500-Added Maas Residence Open (11 entries) – Ann Fonck of Belgium & Brillante Spook (NRHA $9 Million Sire Smart Spook x NRHA $1 Million Dam Ebony Shines), bred and owned by Rosanne Sternberg – score 222.5.
$2,000-Added Golden Paint Ranch Non Pro (18 entries) – Arjan van de Watering of the Netherlands & Epic Star (NRHA $1 Million Sire ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Spooks Fancy Diamond) bred and owned by van de Watering – score 218.5.
View the photos of the winners by Official Photographer Claudia Dermois here
A special thank you to our sponsors listed here
Admission to the EAC is free. However, if you can’t make it to Grathem, watch live here
and follow the live score and full results here
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For additional information, visit NRHAEAC.com
NRHA EAC Media Contact:
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
Whatsapp: +39 3405354629
