Cremona, May 23—The 18th edition of the $1 Million-Added NRHA European Futurity presented by DeNiroBoot.Co closed with a bang on Saturday night with the MS Diamonds TX $420,000-Added Level 4 Open Finals. Counting record breaking entries, and in front of a full house, the electric duo, Bernard Fonck and DG Andy Crush, ran through the gate of the Quarter Dream Arena full speed and their breathtaking run was paid back by the judges with an impressive 230 score. The horse-rider-combination left Cremona, Italy, with the Level (L)4 Championship under their belt, along with a guaranteed $100,000 paycheck. What made the win even sweeter was that Fonck crossed yet another milestone unofficially becoming the first European NRHA $3 Million Rider.
Fonck and his mount by NRHA $1 Million Sire PS Mega Shine Chic out of Gunners Specialolena, a stallion owned, bred, and nominated by Diego Dalla Gassa, boast the 2025 IRHA/IRHBA Futurity L4 Open Championship. “I always try to get the best out of my horses and tonight, he gave me everything and was just phenomenal,” he said. “My wife, Ann, rode his dam as well and earned over $100,000 on her, so it is a special moment to cross another million on him.”
Sebastiano Valtorta of Italy posted another major score of the night piloting In Like Flinnstone (NRHA $1 Million Sire In Like Flinn x Shyawhiz), a stallion owned, bred, and nominated by Piergiuseppe Guidetti, to a 227 score claiming the $154,000-Added L3 Championship as well as the L4 Reserve Championship. “I am really happy about tonight. Last year, we missed the 3-year-old Italian Futurity L4 Open Finals by half a point, so I am happy that it worked out here because I love this horse. I think he is one of the best horses I’ve ridden in my life,” said Valtorta, who also appreciated the level of the competition tonight. “It is special to be in the L4 Finals with all these successful riders, so I am very pleased with these results.” L4 and L3 Open go round leaders, Luca Piccolo and Maria Pia Sassone’s MC Spatagun (Spatatino x Sheza Smoken CD), rode to a 223 score and the L3 Reserve Championship. The double-registered APHA/AQHA mare was bred and nominated by Azienda Agricola Pegaso.
Jayden Feichter of France and Katie Blues (NRHA $5 Million Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Blues At The Bar), a mare owned, bred, and nominated by Edith Zenouda, performed to one of the strongest runs of the first section of the Open Finals scoring a 220 for their run, taking home the $91,000-Added L2 Championship. Feichter was quick to credit his mount for the results. “My mare was perfect in the arena and gave me everything. Honestly, I couldn’t be more happy, she was amazing. She is homebred, so I saw her grow up, and that makes it even more special to win on her.” Reserve Honors in L2 went to Italy’s Matteo Cuniglio aboard NRHA Hall of Famer and $2 Million Owner Rosanne Sternberg’s Voodoo Gotta Whiz (NRHA $13 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Voodoo Sister) after performing to a 219.5. The mare was bred and nominated by Francesco Groppelli.
Three combinations tied for the $35,000-Added L1 Open division with a 212.5 score:
- Danilo Ruscetta of Italy and Lighthill Ranch GMBH’s KB Kiss Me Again (NRHA $1 Million Sire Gunner Dun It Again x Smart Whizzin Jenny), a stallion bred and nominated by Koen Brutsaert. “I’m truly happy with our result tonight. The horse was just phenomenal,” said Ruscetta. “A huge thank you goes to Lighthill Ranch for giving me the opportunity to ride this special horse. I believe he has so much more to show in the future.”
- German rider Maximilian Georg Engelhardt and Coffee And Gun TB (NRHA $8 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite x Coffee Whiz Milk Tb), a stallion bred and nominated by Irmgard Brendgens, and owned by Luisa Fieting, repeated the score. “My horse gave me everything tonight; he tried his heart out and is a truly special horse. I trained him myself under the guidance of [NRHA Professional] Stephan Rohde and a huge thank you goes to him for all the help and support along the way.”
- Fabienne Steiger of Germany, riding Arnelswallawhizcrome (Walla Whiz Crome x RS Arnels Feo Jac), a stallion owned, bred, and nominated by Sabrina Adam. Accompanied by loud cheers from the audience, the pair completed their pattern with precision, and ended up topping the leaderboard to share the Championship. “I’m so happy. My horse was amazing. He was a little tired tonight, but gave everything. He’s such an easy horse to show, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. He deserves a little break now, and then we’ll start thinking about the German and Belgian Futurities.”
APHA Chrome Cash Open Champions
$1,000-Added Chrome Cash Level 4 & $1,000-Added Level 3 tie: Matyas Gobert and This Biz (NRHA $13 Million Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Diva Dual), a stallion owned and nominated by AT Reining Dream (score 219.5).
$1,000-Added Chrome Cash Level 3 tie & $1,000-Added Level 2: Matteo Cuniglio and Voodoo Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Voodoo Sister), owned by Rosanne Sternberg and nominated by Francesco Groppelli (score 219.5).
$1,000-Added Chrome Cash Level 1: Danilo Ruscetta and KB Kiss Me Again (Gunner Dun It Again x Smart Whizzin Jenny), owned by Lighthill Ranch GMBH and nominated by Koen Brutsaert (score 212.5).
For full results click here
The NRHA European Futurity is open to 4-year-old horses entered in the NRHA Nomination Program. This year, €288.475 of the added money came from the Nomination Program, with €201.932 going to the Open and €86.542 to the Non Pro division.
For further information, full results, live score and livestream: NRHAEUROPEANFUTURITY.com
The NRHA European Futurity was hosted during the 39th edition of the international Salone del Cavallo Americano at CremonaFiere. The fair, expanded by another 10%, is once again confirming its position as one of Europe’s leading Western events covering 100,000 square meters, welcoming 700 horses and 1000 riders, 270 exhibitors, and over 30,000 expected spectators. The NCHA of Italy Derby and Spring Show, Cowboy Shooting Speed, Team Penning, and Ranch Sorting was held, along with 5,000 Country Passion line dancers from across Europe.
For further info regarding the Salone del Cavallo Americano: SALONEDELCAVALLO.com
Photos by Bonaga Communication
NRHA European Futurity Media Contact:
Simona Diale/International Horse Press
Whatsapp: +39 340 5354629 – Email: internationalhorsepress@gmail.com