Manerbio, 18.11.2009 - Over 500 horses made their way to Manerbio, Italy, where the 25th edition of the Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity & Championship Show was held on November 7-14. The premier event open to 3-year-old horses and a full-slate of ancillary classes, approved by the NRHA, were offered as well as the Intermediate and Limited Open & Non Pro Futurity open to 4-year-old horses.

Andrea Bonaga Photography

The Open Futurity finals were held on Saturday night the and one of Italy’s most promising young reiners, Gennaro Lendi, claimed both the Open Futurity and Open Futurity Reserve Championship. Riding My Showbix Whiz, a stallion by Topsail Whiz and out of Hollywood Stunt Gi owned by Ambrosini QH as of Saturday afternoon before the finals (the talented stallion was purchased from Arcese QH USA), Lendi claimed the Open title with 221. A half a point behind, Gennaro claimed reseve honors riding Piccolo Spanish (Spanish Snapper x Jokin Peppy) for owner Cecilia Frediani.

Max Ruggeri also went on to win two titles on the same evening. He took the Intermediate Open Futurity Championship with a score of 218.5 aboard Spat Split And White (Spat Olena x Arc Joy Surprise) owned by Le Colombare QH. With a score of 215.5, he claimed the reserve championship in this divsion riding Trudy Sailor Bar (Frozen Sailor x Snappy Bleach) for owner Domenico Cicchetti.

The Limited Open Futurity Championship was won by Stefano Ferri who posted a score of 212 with Made In Italy (Ricochet Rooster x Ms Sanditch Whiz), a mare Letizia Tosetti. Two points behind the champions, Germano Meroni riding Docs Steady San ( Steadys Dude x Docs Dusty San) owned by Patrizia Grazioli, slid to the second step of the podium.

Claudio Risso and his RS Icarus Jac (Great Jac Feona x Foxy Roan Doll) went on to win the Non Pro Futurity Championship with a score of 216. Risso also took home the IRHBA 2009 Best Breeder Award and the IRHBA 2009 Best Stallion Producer. As of this year, the Futurity was open only to those foals enrolled in the Italian Reining Horse Breeders Association (IRHBA) incentive progam.

Sixteen-year-old Giovanni ‘Dido’ Masi De Vargas posted a 215 riding his Dualin Surprise (Dualin For Me x Flashy Sparkle Doll) which earned him reserve honors in the Non Pro division as well as the Futurity Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro championship.

Reserve honors in the Intermediate Non Pro division, with a score of 207, went to Mauro Pingani riding Leolena Jac (Spat Olena x Rs Last Leos Jac). Pietro Paolo Ambrosini claimed the reserve title in the Limited Non Pro division riding Ms Twist Whiz (Topsail Whiz x Miss Solano Twist) with a score of 211.5.

The 4-year-old Futurity

Paolo Orlandini e Spark N Whiz (219.5), owned by Luga Qh, won the Intermediate Open Futurity. Guglielmo Fontana and Arc Ropers Sparkle owned by Francesca Vanni placed second in this division.

The Limited Open Futurity Championship, after posting a score of 214, went to Andrea Manucci riding Whiz N Star, for owner Alessio Migliore. Tying for second place honors were Julia Kraetschmar riding Gun Smoke Dennis and Matthew Hudson riding Pride Buenonic for owner Silvia Gandolfi. Both scored a 212.

The Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro Futurity Championships went to Katja Jungfer who posted a 220 aboard her Ima A Classy Whiz. The Reserve Championship in both divisions went to Monica Nicolini riding Icy Shiver.

Road to Kentucky: The qualifying CRI

The FEI Concours de Reining International was won with a score of 215.5 by Davide Brighenti riding Ot Taris San Peppy. Second place honorse, with a half a point difference, went to Christian Perez aboard Franco Rosso’s, Mr Ali Bo San.

Complete results of the IRHA/NRHA Futurity & Italian Championship Show at www.itrha.com

Simona Diale

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