The reining heart of Europe beats faster at Azelhof Horse Events in Lier, Belgium, the first $200,000-Added NRHA Belgium Futurity Champions are crowned.
Lier, Sept.18—The main arena in Azelhof, a premier equestrian center and event venue in Belgium, today welcomed European Professionals and Non Professional riding for the NRHA Belgium $33,000-Added 3-year-old Open Futurity and the $47,000-Added 3- & 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity.
3-Year-Old Open Futurity
Claiming the win in the 3-year-old $20,000-Added Level 4 Open Futurity was NRHA Million Dollar Rider Arnaud Girinon with a 223.5 score to beat posted by NRHA Professional Lukasz Czechowicz and TR Here She Comes ($15 Million Sire Gunner x Taris Designer Genes), a mare bred by Tamarack Ranch LLC. and owned by Dor Cohen.
Late in the draw, Girinon and his mount GP Sunrise At Six, a mare by NRHA $5 Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six out of Lil Sunrise Surprise, owned by Lior Raz, laid down a thrilling run paid back by the judges with a 224.5, to win the Championship. Czechowicz settked for the Level 4 Reserve Championship and the $7,000-Added Level 3 Open win.
In the $4,000-Added 3-Year-Old Level 2 Open Futurity, after posting a 212.5 score, four riders opted to tie for the Championship.
Tying for the win was Julia Staedele of Germany, with May I Sail Whiz You (Maytheforcebewhizyou x Flagship Sailorunder), a stallion she co-owns with Bianca Schaerz. Their performance also earned them the $2,000-Added Level 1 Championship; France’s Axel Pesek rode JCF Wally Wanka, a stallion by NRHA $1 Million Sire PS Mega Shine Chic out of ARC Kachina Wanda, owned by Yannick Pesek and Catherine Coolstock; Wim Vervecken of Belgium aboard Voodooswhiztoshine (NRHA $6 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Don Quintanas Whiz), a mare owned by Kristel Wauters; Germany’s Johannes Heil riding Spooks Whizkey, (NRHA $1 Million Sire Dun It For Whizkey x Wimpy Spooks Gun), owned by 2BE Ranch.
Anna Maria Zehetbauer and Surprising And Smart claim the NRHA Belgium Futurity 3- & 4-year-old Non Pro title
Once the curtian fell on the Azelhof Arena, topping the leaderboard of the $30,000-Added 3- & 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity with a 221 was the 2025 Champion, Anna Maria Zehetbauer this year riding Surprising N Smart (NRHA $9 Million Sire Smart Spook x Just Miss Enterprise), a stallion owned by her family’s Zeidelhof Reining Horses.
Julia Gaupmann-Lechner of Austria scored a 217.5 riding West Coast Ice (NRHA $4 Million Sire SG Frozen Enterprize x Miss Cody Whiz It), a mare owned by LG Quarter Horses, to win both the $10,000-Added Level 3 and the $5,000-Added Level 2.
Youth rider Anna Palasova of the Czech Republic and SS Wimpyagain (Gunner Dun It Again x Wimpystein) scored a 214 for owner Petr Palas to win the $2,000-Added Level 1.
A special thank you to all the SPONSORS of this year’s edition of the NRHA Belgium Futurity.
Saturday will conclude with the $20,000-Added 3-year-old Non Pro Futurity and the prestigious $75,000-Added 3- & 4-year-old Open Futurity.
Follow the live score here
Watch the livestream here
Visitors are welcome all week. Admission is free.
Chief Press Officer: Simona Diale / International Horse Press
Graphics & Press Office: Chiara Milani / International Horse Press
Email: [email protected]
