After a rigorous season of competition spanning the globe, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) concluded 2023 by honoring the horses, riders, and owners who earned one of 16 NRHA World Championships.
“These riders demonstrated unwavering commitment to their equine athletes, the sport, and its rich traditions,” said NRHA Commissioner Billy Smith.
Lyon, November 5 — Sunday at the $305,595-added NRHA European Derby held during the 20th edition of Equita Lyon, hosted the NRHA Non Pro Gran Prix action as well as the Non Pro and Youth 2024 The Run For A Million (TRFAM) qualifiers. The morning started with the Euro 7.000-added Roleski Ranch Non Pro and theTRFAM Non Pro 2024 Million Dollar Competition qualifier. On home turf, Alexandre Giarratano claimed the only available Non Pro spot in the European qualifier for the Million Dollar Competition in Las Vegas next year. Giarratano rode his The Electric Bandit (Dont Miss My Guns x Electra Stop Ruff) to a 218 score.
Stare Żukowice, Poland - The $74,800-added Roleski 4 Spins Futurity kicked off on October 19 at the beautiful Roleski Ranch, owned by reining enthusiast and breeder Katarzyna Roleska who also owns Poland’s first NRHA Million Dollar Sire, Colonels Shining Gun.
The Roleski 4 Spins Circuit officially closed the show season and year-end Champions were also determined.
On Top of the World!
The need for international team and individual competition was much felt by the reining community worldwide at all levels. A group of passionate enthusiasts got together and formed World Reining hoping to satisfy this need. NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Corinna Schumacher and her CS Ranch team gave their availability to host and organize the inaugural NRHA-approved World Reining Championship event with Euro 150.000 offered in prize money and the response was huge.
Excitement ran high tonight in Verona, Italy, as the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity finalists gave all they had to clinch the titles and paychecks up for grabs in the highest-paying 4-year-old Open Futurity ever offered in Europe.
Level of competition ran deep, scores rose, and so did the public’s cheers as some of Europe’s best horses and riders performed in the Veronafiere Arena. Half way through the second section, the loudest cheering was for Poland’s Lukasz Czechowicz and CSG Kenzo (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Shiner Brimolena) who thrilled the fans with his powerful yet smooth ride. From the first stop and back, through the fast and precise spins, to the speed transitions and imperceptible lead changes, Czechowicz’s mount stopped deep in the ground raising the dirt which resulted in the highest score of the evening, a 227.5, and the win in both the $ 144.390-Added Level L(4) Championship as well as the $ 38.654-Added L3 title.
Without a doubt, Verona, Italy, is the capital of equestrian events in Europe. Renowned Fiera Cavalli closed its 124th edition a week ago. Today, Veronafiere opened its doors to European reiners competing in the 2022 edition of the $800,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity.
Stare Zukowice, Poland–On a sunny afternoon at Roleski Ranch, Open riders met to compete in the $3.150 added Roleski 3- and 4-year-old Open Futurity and $3.150 added Roleski Open Derby. NRHA Czech officially closed the show season with the NRHA Czech Ride&Slide IV where Futurity and Derby Champions were crowned and year-end Champions were determined.
Lyon, October 30–Saturday at Equita Lyon, Lyon, France, provided thrills and excitement as the 114,000€-added*-added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Open Derby Finalists vied for the titles in the four divisions in front of a full house.
With a 227 score to beat posted by Mirko Midili in the second section, and with only two finalists left to go, Lukasz Czechowicz of Poland rode Frozen Shining Gun, a 2016 American Quarter Horse gelding by Colonels Shining Gun out of Frozen Slide, owned by Katarzyna Roleska, to a great ride paid back by the judges with a 227.5 and the Level L(4) Open Championship presented by LL Tecnologie.
Wiener Neustadt, August 21—Provided by Marie Klimova/International Horse Press—Held in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, at Helmut and Dennis Schulz’s Western Training Center, Saturday closed the $83,000-added Austrian Reining Horse Association (ARHA) 4 and 3-year-old Futurity. With riders representing 12 countries (France, Italy, Poland, Israel, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Canada, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia and Belgium), 236 horses made way to the functional and beautifully welcoming Austrian facility. Emotions, great rides, and a participant public filled he last day of competition which saw the last champions of 2021 crowned.
Sarah Stocker & Colonels Charmingun dominate Non Pro Futurity Go round, 3- year- old horses
The Futurity classes started with the Non Pro Go round of the 3 year olds, in which 28 horses were entered in the four levels. Here, Austrian Sarah Stocker and her Colonels Charmingun made it to the top in all levels scoring a 210.5. The palomino is by Shiners Voodoo Dr out of Okie Smokin Gun and was bred by Ludivine Collon in France.
"I bought him last year in December as a 2-year-old," said Sarah, who has trained with Rudi Kronsteiner since 2018. "In the Go Round he was well-behaved, listened superbly and just did his job. Now I'm looking forward to the final." Sarah was already an Austrian Reining Futurity finalist L1 to 4 Non Pro of 4-year-olds two years ago.
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