Grathem, July 25 — The 2026 NRHA European Affiliate Championship (EAC) concluded on Saturday, July 25, at Reining Center Meertenhof in Grathem, the Netherlands, after four full days of EAC competition and NRHA ancillary action. A total of 250 horses passed through the arena in-gate at Reining Center Meertenhof under the saddle of riders representing 14 countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom). Managed by the Dutch Reining Horse Association (DRHA), this year’s EAC marked the first of two editions to be held at the state-of-the-art Dutch reining facility. Next year, the 25th anniversary of the EAC will be celebrated in Grathem!
$10,000-Added Maasresidence Thorn EAC Open (13 entries)
The highlight of the week was the $10,000-Added EAC Open, with 13 of Europe’s best riders vying for the title. Setting the bar high early in the draw with a score of 220 was Markus Suechting of Germany aboard SS Beastmode. As the competition continued and the crowd clung to the edge of their seats, the scores kept climbing until Matyas Gobert of Belgium delivered a picture-perfect pattern aboard Chex N The Trash. The 5-year-old NRHA/Markel Sale Graduate by NRHA $16 Million Sire Gunnatrashya out of Snip O Chex, bred by Judy Box and owned by AT Reining Dream, slid Gobert to a winning score of 229. The pair also claimed the $500-Added APHA EAC Open Chrome Cash Incentive check.
“My horse’s barn name is ‘Jacks’ and he’s an amazing horse. Every time I ask him for something, he gives me everything,” said Gobert. “He’s incredibly talented, has a huge heart, and always wants to do his best. Showing him here was really special. The arena isn’t the biggest, but the atmosphere was incredible. The stands were full, everyone was cheering and clapping, and you could really feel the energy from the crowd. It made the run even more exciting. The plan now is to give him some time off so he can rest and after that, we’ll slowly start preparing him for the next part of the season, peaking in Lyon at the NRHA European Derby.”
Arnaud Girinon of Belgium and The Spook Is Dun (NRHA $13 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x The Bun Is Dun), bred by Sabine Ehrenreich and owned by FC American Horses Cerantola, performed a strong run, earning a 225 for the Reserve Championship.
The third step of the podium went to NRHA $3 Million Rider Bernard Fonck of Belgium, who piloted Golden Paint Ranch’s Dresss Code (NRHA $1 Million Sire Electric Code x Dual Spirit), bred by Emma Villa, to a score of 224.
$5,000-Added GP Ranch EAC Non Pro (30 entries)
It was a big day for 13-year-old Emma Louise Eggen of Norway. After winning the EAC Limited Non Pro Championship aboard RC Gun Master Man (Gunnatrashya x Ladymaster), the duo returned to the pen to score a 222 and claim the $5,000-Added GP Ranch EAC Non Pro Championship. Eggen’s 5-year-old gelding was bred by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi and is owned by TP Ranch. “I feel amazing,” said Emma. “My run today was really good, and the support from everyone was incredible. Hearing the applause afterward was such a special moment. I still can’t quite believe it.”
Emma’s father, Norway’s only NRHA Professional, Tor Erik Eggen, was thrilled with the double win. “I couldn’t be prouder of her. She’s incredible. She works so hard and is extremely dedicated, so seeing all that effort pay off is really rewarding,” he said. “It took us three days to get here, so it was a long journey, but it was definitely worth it. Reining is very much a family affair for us: Emma competes, and her mom rides as well, so you could definitely say it’s a family business.”
Dries Verschueren of Belgium and GP A Spook In Town (NRHA $4 Million Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Spook N Perla), bred and owned by his family’s Golden Paint Ranch, scored a 219.5 to take reserve honors.
Third on the podium was Georgia Wilk of Germany and her own Pretty Whiz Chic (Winnie The Boo x Rey Nic Chic) bred by Jessica Dros, scoring a 217.5.
Tom De Boever of Belgium and GI Golden Gun (NRHA $5 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Golden Dream Chic), bred by Caroline Channing and owned by Deboti Bvba, scored a 215.5 and took the $500-Added APHA EAC Non Pro Chrome Cash.
$500-Added Arcese EAC Limited Non Pro (70 entries)
In the largest class of the EAC, Emma Louise Eggen of Norway rode RC Gun Master Man to a score of 220 to claim the $500-Added Limited Non Pro Championship. “I’m really happy with how everything went. Yesterday, I had a small mistake in my run, so it felt great to come back and have such a good performance today. My horse was amazing, especially in the stops. I was one of the first riders to go, and it was a huge class, so I had to wait a long time to find out if my score would hold. Those last few hours were pretty nerve-racking. I was definitely nervous, but thankfully it all worked out in the end,” smiled the happy young rider. “After the show, my horse will get some well-deserved rest, and then we’ll start preparing for our next competition.
The second step of the podium went to yet another youth rider, Lotte De Boever of Belgium, who piloted Great Sun Of A Gun (Great Sun Burst x GVR Gunalicious), bred by Monique Van De Ven and owned by Deboti Bvba, to a 217.5.
Wannes Verschueren of Belgium and GP A Spook In Town scored a 216 for third place honors.
Julia Giacalone and her own A Special Nite Ryder (NRHA $8 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite x Dun It At Starbucks), bred by Shawn Stratman, topped the $500-Added APHA Chrome Cash with a 214.5.
$500-Added AM Rising Star EAC Limited Open (18 entries)
Jeremy Vandenabeele of France rode his wife Jasmin Andersdotter’s Tinseltownssmartest (NRHA $5 Million Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x Smart Chic Badger), bred by Wolf Hills Farm LLC, to a 217 score to top the $500-Added Limited Open Championship. “I’m super happy. This horse is really nice and I’ve shown him a few times this year, but there was always a small mistake here and there. Today, everything finally came together, and it felt like a really great run,” he said. “I also placed third with CSG Tinseltownlady. She’s a sweet mare, and she gave me everything she had. Having two horses on the podium made it a really special day. This win definitely isn’t just mine; behind every success there’s a whole team. I’d like to thank my wife, who supports me every day, my farrier, my veterinarian, my parents, my family, my groom, my assistant, and everyone who helps behind the scenes. The atmosphere has been fantastic, and it’s been a great week. I’ll definitely be back next year.”
Half a point behind, Wim Vervecken of Belgium riding Gunnerspecialspark (Smart N Sparkin x SG Gunnerspecialwhiz), owned by Joep Kempen, took reserve honors.
Vandenabeele also placed third with a 214.5 score aboard CSG Tinseltownlady (Colonels Shining Gun x Shiney Tinseltown), bred by Katarzyna Roleska and owned by Mateusz Nalepka.
$500-Added 2BE Ranch EAC Rookie Pro (14 entries)
Leon Jongsma of the Netherlands and Ruffly Spooking Off (NRHA $9 Million Sire Smart Spook x Ruffly Whizin Off), bred and owned by Joke Overbeek Fennema, performed to a 209 to claim the EA Rookie Pro Championship. “It was a hot day, but everything felt good. My favorite maneuver with this mare is definitely her stops. I can really run her down the pen with confidence because I know she’ll always be there for me. I’ve had her since she was a two-year-old, so I’ve trained her throughout her entire career. This year, we continued showing her, and she just keeps getting better and more consistent,” he said. “I love this show because this venue feels like home. I think DRHA has done a tremendous job organizing everything.”
Ashley Lindeman of the Netherlands and her own Wimpys Shining Gun (Wimpys Smoking Gun x Turbos Shining Rose), bred by Rieky Young, scored a 208 for their run picking up the Reserve Championship.
Tying for third place, with a 207.5 score, were Kristel Bus of the Netherlands and her own JJ U Whiz U Were Me (NRHA $2 Million Sire Whiz N Tag Chex x Tinseltown Wheel FB), bred by J&J Comm V, and Natasha Kronil Haukrog Jeberg of Denmark and her own Spooks Black Satin (Best Spook x Ruffas Satin) bred by Poul Haukrog Moller.
The numbers
Total number of horses 250
Total number of riders 204
Total number of combinations 271
Total number of entries 1,129
Country / Riders
Austria / 2; Belgium / 60; Czech Republic / 2; Denmark / 3; Finland / 2; France / 8; Germany / 58; Italy / 1; Luxembourg / 9; Netherlands / 84; Norway / 3; Spain / 1;
Sweden / 21; United Kingdom / 3
View the photos of the winners by Official Photographer Claudia Dermois here
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