Italian Gennaro Lendi Joins NRHA Million Dollar Rider Lineup

Photo © Oliviero Toscani
Photo © Oliviero Toscani

Gennaro Lendi recorded his first earnings in the National Reining Horse Association in May 2004, when he won the Non Pro class at the Italian Reining Horse Association Derby on OT Taris High. Less than two decades later, Lendi joined the elite list of riders who have won more than one million dollars in competition.
Recent wins at the 2020 European Futurity, the Austrian Futurity, the German Breeders Futurity, the IRHA Maturity, and ARTA Futurity propelled him past that milestone.
“As I got closer to the million, it became all the more stressful as I wanted to surpass that mark as fast as I could. I put pressure on myself – especially after the pandemic stopped our shows – and it affected my performance in the show pen,” Lendi admitted.

Read MoreItalian Gennaro Lendi Joins NRHA Million Dollar Rider Lineup

Midili and GD Peptos Olena Blue Win the NRHA European Open Futurity; Maas Claims the L3, L2 and L1 Open titles with Arnels Spat Olena

Photos by Bonaga Communication
Photos by Bonaga Communication

With the final numbers added up, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity held in Cremona, Italy, managed by the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) offered an impressive $340,214 purse.

The Open Finals on Saturday night kept the public glued to their seats until the very last horse. Once the last combination to go, qualifier leaders NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck and Americasnextcovrgirl, closed their run with a 222.5, the $109,354-added Level (L)4 Open title was confirmed for Mirko Midili riding GD Peptos Olena Blue, an American Quarter Horse stallion by past NRHA Non Pro Champion Spat A Blue out of Miss Peptos Jacky— owned and nominated by Domenico Giannitti—who had posted a 223 earlier in the draw.

Read MoreMidili and GD Peptos Olena Blue Win the NRHA European Open Futurity; Maas Claims the L3, L2 and L1 Open titles with Arnels Spat Olena

2021 NRHA GERMANY BREEDERS FUTURITY: Mirko Midili Rides GD Peptos Olena Blue to Top the NRHA Germany Breeders 4-year-old Open Futurity as Gennaro Lendi Unofficially Becomes NRHA’s Newest Million Dollar Rider

Photo by NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity Official Photographer and IHP Media Partner Tom Hautmann
Photo by NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity Official Photographer and IHP Media Partner Tom Hautmann

October, 24—Provided by International Horse Press— The 2021 NRHA Germany Breeders 4-year-old Open Futurity Finals concluded the week-long show at the Pferdesportzentrum Ostbayernhalle in Kreuth, Germany. 146 riders aboard 235 horses met to compete during the whole week and the best horse-rider combinations returned on Saturday for the 4-year-old Non Pro and Open Finals.

Read More2021 NRHA GERMANY BREEDERS FUTURITY: Mirko Midili Rides GD Peptos Olena Blue to Top the NRHA Germany Breeders 4-year-old Open Futurity as Gennaro Lendi Unofficially Becomes NRHA’s Newest Million Dollar Rider