Sylvia Rzepka / Golden Mc Jac

Sylvia Rzepka was born in Starnberg near Munich and works in Austria for several years now where she operates a big training facility in Mittendorf (AUT) south of Vienna together with her husband Vern Sapergia. She started showing when she was 12, becoming one of the most successful cutting riders of Europe (e.g. six times European Champion and Americana Cutting Champion 2004). Later she became very successful in reining winning the 1999 NRHA Breeders Futurity Bit, becoming several times Derby and Futurity Finalist and multiple Bronze Trophy Champion. During the 2002 CRIO in Reggio Emilia, Sylvia Rzepka won the team Bronze medal. During the 2005 CRIO in Manerbio she won the silver medal with the German team and bronze in individual ranking.

Her horse is Golden Mc Jac, a 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion bred by Michael Blaschke (AUT) and owned by Peter Prokes (AUT). The stallion is by Jac O Rima (by Hollywood Jac 86) out of Peppys Dry Creek (by Dry Doc). Golden Mc Jac was e.g. NRHA Open Breeders Futurity Champion, AQHA Futurity Champion 2002, fifth at the World Reining Trophy 2004, third in the Challenge and fifth at the Americana Open Trophy. He was third in 2004 NRHA ranking Open. So far, Golden Mc Jac’s lifetime earnings are more than USD 60 000, -- .

Nico Hoermann (Schwanewede) / Lil Ruf Cody

The 28-year-old professional trainer has been showing reining horses since 1995. He operates the renowned Flachsberg Ranch in Schwanewede close to Bremen. Nico won numerous Bronze Trophies, was NRHA Breeders Futurity Finalist 2003 in Kreuth and Messe Cup Champion at the Pferd und Jagd exhibition in Hannover. He is German Champion reining and won three out of five CRIs this year.

His horse is Lil Ruf Cody, a 6-year-old Quarter Horse stallion bred by Ed & Nancy Pickett and owned by Rolf & Monika Reinschmidt. He is by Lil Ruf  Peppy (by Peppy San Badger) out of Miss Barbie Codypine (by Mr Barbie Cody Jac). The stallion was third in the Kansas Open Futurity, sixth at the Congress Open Futurity, NRBC Open Novice Champion, NRHA Open Derby Champion (Georgia), AQHA Senior Reining Champion in Leipzig and Dortmund.

Grischa Ludwig (Bitz) / Coeur D Wright Stuff

The 32-year-old professional trainer operates a successful training facility in Bitz. Grischa was German Champion Reining twice (2001 and 2004), several times European Champion and DQHA Futurity / Maturity Champion. He also won numerous Bronze Trophies. He won the CRI iun Dortmund astride Coeur D Wright Stuff.

Coeur D Wright Stuff is a Quarter Horse stallion owned by Roy de Bruin (NED). The sorrel is by Lenas Wright On (by Smart Little Lena) out of Mist N Smoke (by Doc Tom Tucker). He was NRHA Futurity Open Finalist and 2002 NRHA Futurity Limited Open Champion, Derby Reserve Champion Intermediate Open, Congress Junior Reining Champion, fifth at the 2003 AQHA World Show and Americana Limited Open Reserve Champion. His lifetime earning are more than USD 40 000,--. He also won numerous bronze trophies.

Alexander Ripper (Fahrenbach-Fürth) / Solanoswarleeboy

The 25-year-old trainer operates a successful training and breeding facility in Fahrenbach. Alexander is the youngest member of the team, but has been very successful. He was 2002 German Champion Reining, 2003 European Champion (FEI), both individual and team, Limited Open Res. Champion 2003 and NRHA Bronze Trophy Open year end champion. During the 2005 European Championship at Manerbio he won silver with the team.

His horse is Solanoswarlee Boy, a 15-year-old palomino Quarter Horse stallion owned by Alexander’s father Georg Ripper. With this stallion, Ripper became German and European Champion. The palomino is by Docowarlee (by Doc O`Lena) out of Frosty Solano (by Doc´s Solano) and was bred by Claudia Brunner. He was several times bronze trophy champion, NRHA Bronze Trophy year end champion 2004, NRHA Novice Horse Open Res. Year end champion and Limited Open Champion.

Alternative: Maik Bartmann (Osthofen) / BV Smart Innuendo

33-year-old Maik Bartmann operates the renowned Vineyard Ranch in Osthofen. He is a professional trainer and also an experienced AQHA and NRHA judge. He won several bronze trophies, became team European Champion (FEI) where he placed 11^th in individual ranking and was third at the 2003 German Championship.

His horse BV Smart Innuendo is the only mare in the team. She is seven years old and was bred by her owner Jutta Weckmüller. The Quarter Horse mare is by Puro Chic (by  Smart Chic Olena) out of Smooth Suzie Lynx (by The King Lynx). She was fifth at the 2002 NRHA Breeders Futurity SBH and NRHA Breeders Futurity Bit Finalist 2003.

Alternative horses: Kaliz Golden Mastery and Olenas Diablo Star

Kaliz Golden Mastery (Nico Höermann) is a 7-year-old stallion bred by Michael Blaschke (AUT) and owned by Rolf & Monika Reinschmidt. The Quarter Horse stallion is by Muey Kali Guy (by Topsail Whiz) out of Cee Masota Star (by Blair Cee). Kaliz was AQHA Junior Reining Open Champion, NRHA Jackpot Open Champion, NRHA Breeders Futurity Reserve Champion and third in the NRHA Breeders Derby. With him, Nico Höermann won the CRI in Bremen.

Olenas Diablo Star (Grischa Ludwig) is a 6-year-old Quarter Horse stallion bred by Karin Langenbruch and owned by Kai Thielk. He is by Frostys Chic Olena out of Bubbling Diablo: Olenas Diablo Star was Junior Reining Champion Leipzig 2004, Novice Horse open Reserve Champion Leipzig,  Bronze Trophy Open Reserve Champion Kreuth 2004, Lawson Trophy Open Champion Skövde/Sweden 2005 and fifth in the NRHA Breeders Derby.

Reining is scheduled for September 1 and 3, 2006 with team competition on Friday, September 1 (starting at 10 a.m. until 12.30, then lunch break, competition starts again at 1.30 p.m.) and the individual competition on September 3, starting at 11.15 a.m. So far, 81 reining competitors are expected in Aachen with teams coming from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Israel, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Italy and Japan. South Africa, Poland, Norway and Hungary will send individual riders.