IRHA/NRHA Non Pro Derby, the Finals

Press release – The thrilling final of the IRHA/NRHA Non Pro Derby took place with great fun and entertainment for the enthusiastic audience.

47 finalists entered the arena, running for the four titles of Champions available in this Derby. Last to enter the arena being the Non Pro go-round leader level 4, the brave Gina Schumacher from Germany scored a resonant 222,5 riding the powerful and charming Gotta Nifty Gun and drawing a perfect and powerful pattern astride the beautiful blueyed bay stallion. The much decorated 2010 dun stallion, nicknamed ‘Frankie’, is currently the Nrha Non Pro World Champion and enriches once again his long winning career with his young but extremely clever rider. “Frankie” is by the Nrha Futurity Non Pro Reserve Champion Dun It Gotta Gun and out of Custom Nifty Nic, by Custom Crome. Gina, who rides since she was only a littel girl, has recently become one of the top Non Pro riders in Europe and not only: «Frankie is the horse of my heart, ever! When he was five, my mum saw him and she loved him immediately. She called to ask if he was for sale… and he was!». Gina and Frankie performed a magical run, welcomed by a standing ovation: the young lady-reining had a shining, winning smile on her face for all the run, despite the high concentration and efforts she had to deal with.

Derby Non Pro Level 4 Reserve Champion, with a score of 218,5, is the blonde German rider Lena Schmidl, riding the nice 5 years-old stallion Spooks Star Gun, by Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Elites Wildbumblebee, by Elite Eldorado. The bay overo stallion set up a convincing run, enriched with deep and longlasting sliding stops. Lena and her horse were also crowned Level 3 Non Pro Derby Champions, and this is another great achievemnt for this winning pair: infact, the duo was NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity finalist 3 year-old and 4 year-old the following year, and also won the 2016 NRHA European Futurity Non Pro level 3, 2 and 1, though placing Reserve in the level 4. «He’s a nice horse to ride, not too quiet, but balanced and good minded. He has strong stops and turns», said Lena after his run. «Tonight I thought: now or never… and we did it!». Lena rides and trains under the supervision of Markus Gebert.

Italian rider Andrea Iannetta riding the 6 years-old bay mare ER Baby Jane Surprise, by One Gun and out of Surprise Moonlight, is Derby Non Pro Level 2 Reserve Champion with a score of 216,5. Andrea bought this mare when she was only 2 year-old, and she has trained her by himself since then. The pair has already a rich show record in reining Special Events: in 2014 IRHA Futurity 3 year-old Non Pro Champion Level 3 and 4, Austrian Futurity 3 year-old Non Pro Champion level 3 and 4 and go-round leader; in 2015 Austrian Futurity Champion Non Pro level 4, and IRHA Futurity 4 year-old Non Pro finalist.

Another German rider, Ulrike Krueger, gained the title of IRHA/NRHA Derby Non Pro Champion Level 2, riding SL Shesgotmesparkling, an athletic flashy  5 years old palomino mare by Jacs Electric Spark and out of Shes Customized. The pair, who entered the arena as fifth entry, set the pace of the entire competition by scoring a consistent 217,5 that resulted to be the 3rd best score of the whole final. The eye catching mare draw super fast circles, and ended the run with deep and strong stops. «I bought her when she was only one and a half year old, and I started and trained her by myself», said the smiling blond rider. «She is solid in every maneuvre, but in circles and stops she is special. We can still improve the turns». The german rider, living in Austria, usually rides and trains her horse by herself, but since 2013 she is assisted by Bernard Fonk at the main shows just to fix the final details before the competition. The pair gained the finals in all the reining Special Events they took part, and is Bronze Trophy Winner. «She is improving day after day, year after year, always getting better and better. I am so happy about her! She is very honest».

With a nice 216, Laura Dalla Gassa and Kn D Badger Classic, owned by her dad Diego, are IRHA/NRHA Derby Level 2 Reserve Champion.  The 5 year-old gelding, bred by KN Reining Resort owned by Andrea Castrucci, is by Okie Dun Badger and Bragalina Classic. The young lady rides him since he was  4 year-old, while he was previously trained and shown by Francesco Barbagli, with good results in the IRHA Futurity final.  In 2016, he was NRHA France Futurity Non Pro Level 4/3/2 Champion and AVCR Maturity Non Pro Reserve Champion. Laura, who works as a nurse, rides by herself at home but she is assisted by Bernard and Ann Fonck at the shows, and she is grateful to them for their valuable suggestions.

Three riders scoring 213 had to face a run off to decide the winner of the Derby Non Pro Level 1 section: Serafino Soldo riding a Sailors Delite, Verena Rigott and Lonesome Saturday, and Michele Lambo with LM Kaliwood. The best one after the run-off was Serafino, whose powerful and strong buckskin mare draw a consistent pattern resulting in a 216.5. «I am more than happy», said Soldo after the run. «I had so great fun during the final, and it was great to hear my friends cheering at me! They helped me so much». Soldo rides and train with Marco Pettinari, who prepares the generous mare for the special events: «She is a great stopper, and she is phisically well built, big and strong. She is never tired, and she’s always willing to do her best, over and over» said the trainer. Serafino bouth this mare (bred at Cuoghi QH by triple Crown Winner Master Snapper and out of Smokin Sailor Jazzy) one year ago, and the pair was 2016 IRHA/NRHA Derby Non Pro Finalist level 1 and 2, and also NRHA European Derby Non Pro finalist in the same levels. In this edition, the duo gained the finals in level 1, 2 and 3.
Verena Rigott and Michele Lambo shared the Co-Reserve Champion title, despite the young lady scored better in the run off (212,5). Verena trains with Max Ruggeri, who was extremely happy about their run. The nice bay stallion, by Saturdaynight Custom and out of Lonesome Sally Lena, 2016 Non Pro Derby finalist, was precise and clean in the circles, but arrived a little tired to the final stops.

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Source: press release