Lyon, November 5 2017 – Europe’s best non professionals and their mounts provided great action in the $15,000-added Guidolin Wafer Fioc NRHA Reining International de Lyon Non Pro held on Friday afternoon in Equita Lyon’s Hall 6 arena. Competition was intense and scores were high keeping the public glued to their seats until the very last horse-rider combination. It wasn’t until the very end that who would win the prestigious non pro competition was determined; the last duo was made up of Austria’s Tina Kuenstner Mantl and Nu Chexomatic (Nu Chex To Cash x Tejons Texie Lena).
With the flashy palomino between the reins, Kuenstner Mantl performed a great NRHA pattern #10 winning the competition in Lyon for the third time. “He was simply great and I had a lot of fun,” said the past NRHA Non Pro World Champion. “This is our third win together here and I am thrilled. He is always so consistent and always gives back what you ask for.” The 10-year-old stallion boasts over $155,000 NRHA LTE, and is a past NRHA Open World Champion.
Watch the winning run here: https://www.facebook.com/
In second place, with a 221.5, was past NRHA Non Pro World Champion Gina Schumacher riding Gunstep (Wimpys Little Step x Snowgun), owned by CS Ranch Management SA. A half-a-point behind, claiming third place honors, was Italian Enrico Sciulli riding Snips Gotta Bud (Nic It In The Bud x Snip O Chex). Sciulli and his mount are unofficially leading the NRHA Top Ten Non Pro Rankings!
With the non pro action in the books, yet another highlight of Equita Lyon will be the $35,000-added NRHA Reining International de Lyon Open offered on Sunday November 3. Fifteen of Europe’s top professionals will be riding for first place honors. In the past editions of the renowned French show, the two classes have determined more than one NRHA World Champion.
Ancillary Action
NRHA Professional Arnaud Girinon won the $5,000-added Churros NRHA Intermediate Open riding DC Masterspecialnite (Gunners Special Nite x Master Enterprise), for owner Stephanie Bénetière, with a great ride worth 221.5. “My horse did a really good job today,” said the French rider. “He was born in Argentina and was shipped to France when he was 3 years old. I’ve had him in training since the beginning of this year and have always gotten along well with him. We were entered in the European Open Derby but, for an unfortunate series of events. we did not make the finals. He really deserves this win and I am thrilled for him and his owners.”
NRHA Professional Tiara Van Dongen of the Netherlands took second place riding Stefy Meesen’s Don Quintanas Whiz (Don Quintana x Belles Miss Abby) with a 217.5 score.
Morgane Bohu won the $500-added Palettes Andries NRHA Limited Open with a 216 riding Whizdom Shines (Topsail Whiz x Settin Off Sparks) for owner by Grégory Morat. The French NRHA Professional took first place honors with a score of 216. NRHA Professional Giuseppe di Lonardo of Italy rode Whizn On A Star for owner Alice Winkler to second place with a score of 212.5.
The NRHA France 3 & 4-year-old Futurity
Claiming the championship in the CA Ranch NR French 3 & 4-year-old Level 4 Open Futurity with a 217 score was NRHA Professional Ann Fonck aboard Sabine Schmid’s Colonel Chic Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Princess Colonel).
With a 215.5 score, Anders Josefsson and Gotta Shiney Whiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Cee Bee Shine), owned by Annemanna AB, took the Level 4 reserve championship as well as the Level 2 championship. In the Level 2 division of the Futurity, NRHA Professional Bastien Bourgeois took reserve honors, riding Malin Mellin’s Whiz Little Star (Topsail Whiz x Seven S Belle Starr) with a 214.
The NRHA France 3-year-old Non Pro Futurity
Winning the NRHA France Non Pro 3-year-old Level 4 Futurity with a 215.5 was Fabienne Kuratli-Suter riding her own RB Lil Ruf Two (Lil Ruf Poco Peppy x GP Amelia Pocodo). Nimroid Vannietvelt and GP Colonels Chic Gun (Gunner x Sugars Chic Dunnit), owned by Steve Vannietvelt and Gina de Pauw, won the NRHA France Non Pro 3-year-old Level 2 Futurity with a 212.5.
The NRHA European Derby:
Equita Lyon is host to the seventh edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Derby. Open to 4, 5, 6 and 7-year-old horses enrolled in the NRHA European Nomination Program, the Open and Non Pro Derby is run in a qualifier and clean slate finals and follows the single purse system. The NRHA European Open Derby finals will light the stage in Lyon on Saturday, November 6. The NRHA European Non Pro Derby finals will see 35 horse-rider combinations perform in the Equita Lyon reining arena vying for the title on Sunday, November 5. Admission is free.
Press Release NRHA
