The European Affiliate Championship in Poland are a great success!
Press Release NRHA EAC – For the first time the NRHA European Affiliate Championship was held in Eastern Europe. The event was a truly successful one with 130 qualified riders vying for the ten EA Championship titles and counted close to 400 entries. Host of the event was the beautiful Roleski Ranch owned by the Roleski family. Next year the Championship will return to Poland.
A truly exciting NRHA EA Open Championship finals closed the prestigious event. First to draw in a field of 12 qualified riders were Bernard Fonck of Belgium and What A Wave. The pair set the bar scoring a 223.5 and remained unbeat. Aboard the 8-year-old stallion by Tidal Wave Jac and out of What A Sunrise, owned by Vannietvelt/De Pauw, the NRHA Million Dollar Rider last year claimed the NRHA Open World Championship. “What can I say, he is a great athlete with a big heart and I have to give credit to Craig Schmersal, who we bought him from, for the wonderful job he did with him,” said Fonck.
Sliding to the second step of the podium was yet another NRHA Million Dollar Rider, Rudi Kronsteiner of Germany. Aboard the 8-year-old stallion owned by Glis Ranch, Dr Lee Hook (Ray Gay Quixote x Chickadualsha), Kronsteiner posted a 221.5.
The 2015 NRHA Open World Reserve Champions, Cira Baeck and Whizasunnysailor BB owned by Ruediger Diedenhofen placed third. The 8-year-old stallion is an own son of NRHA Eleven Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz and out of Walla Walla Sunshine. The duo closed their run with a 220.5.
23 Quarter Horses $5,000-added NRHA EAC Non Pro
Non Pro Championship
In front of a full house, Italian Manuel Bonzano and his 7-year-old gelding, High Point Reiner (Sailin Ruf x Scarlet High Listo), scored a 219 to claim the Championship. The pair are the 2015 NRHA Non Pro World Champions. “This horse is simply amazing,” said Bonzano. “He may not have great maneuvers but he has the biggest heart and is the most consistent horse I’ve ever ridden. I now look forward to my son, Matteo, representing Italy at the upcoming SVAG FEI Junior and Young Rider European Championships in Givrins, Switzerland.”
Gina-Maria Schumacher of Switzerland and Gotta Nifty Gun S 6 – (Dun It Gotta Gun x Custom Nifty Nic), a 6-year-old stallion owned by Chanay Sky Management SA, scored a 216 for the reserve championship.
A point behind, Steve Vannietvelt of Belgium riding his 8-year-old gelding (Ricochet Rooster x Minnie Nic), placed third.
The Smiraprint $500-added NRHA EAC Limited Open Championship
Johan Fridberger of Sweden rode Anna Pettersson’s 14-year-old stallion, Mega Jac Dance (Marthas Mega Jac x BH Song And Dance), to the highest step of the podium with a 212.5.
Charita Harman of Belgium and her 8-year-old gelding, Im Smart And Wimpy (Wimpys Little Step x Smart San Pep) scored a 212 for reserve honors. A half point behind, Karol Bryla of Poland and her 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, A Diamond Enterprise (I Cee Diamonds x BH Frosty Lena), closed in third place.
The Donn Leson $500-added NRHA EA Limited Non Pro Championship
Taking home the championship was Marie Baralon from France riding Chicken Sandwich. The 15-year-old has owned her 8-year-old mare by Ricochet Rooster by Ms Sanditch for two years and today scored a 213.5 for the win.
The reserve championship was for Polish Karol Bryla who closed her run win a 212 riding A Diamond Enterprise (I Cee Diamonds x BH Frosty Lena), a 7-year-old stallion she owns.
A point behind, Ella Wellinger of Austria and her 10-year-old gelding, Red Pine Command (Tuck R Commnd X Pretty As A Pine), claimed third place honors.
Source: Press Release NRHA EAC
