2021 ERCHA/NRCHA Derby

Markus Shopfer and HipCat Markus Shopfer and HipCat Photos by 8 Photo Agency

The 2021 ERCHA/NRCHA Derby is in the books!

Provided by International Horse Press—Another successful even took place in Travagliato (Italy); the friendly atmosphere, even behind closed doors, was filled with talented horses and riders vying for the Championship titles.
To guarantee the safety of all the contestants, both a strict  Covid-19 and EHV-1 protocol was followed.

HipCat seals the deal with Markus Schopfer in the saddle by claiming the ERCHA/NRCHA Open Derby Championship.

HipCat (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey), owned by Yvonne Bonda and with Italian professional Markus Schopfer in the saddle, rode to the 2021 ERCHA/NRCHA $7,000-added Open Derby Championship with a huge 296 composite score (rein work 74, herd work 73, fence work 74, finals fence work 75).
"HipCat was amazing from day one, he was really strong and consistent in all the classes during this show!" said a very happy Schopfer. "I really have to thank the owner for trusting me when I decided to buy this horse and for believing blindly in my training program. He's truly a special horse, with great conformation, maneuvers and cow sense. He already proved to be a great performer and for sure he's going to be a great sire too!"
Only one point behind, Giovanni Campanaro of Italy took reserve honors aboard Dual Aristocrat MR (Tassas Aristocrat x GH Dual Snappin) owned by Antonio Marmo (rein work 72, herd work 73, fence work 74, finals fence work 76).

Marine Richard and Catwoman Peptos

 

Riding Catwoman Peptos (Peptos Lil Bingo x Jamie Handy Cat), owned by Nathalie Thenoz, French Marine Richard took the ERCHA/NRCHA $1,000-added Limited Open Derby Championship with a 290 composite score (rein work 71, herd work 71½, fence work 75, finals fence work 72.5). "I'm very proud of this home-bred horse, she's really amazing!" said Marine. "She's sired by Peptos Lil Bingo, and it's a dream for me to have a horse by this great stallion. She's great in the fence work and can also be good in the herd work, I just need to trust her a little bit more. This time around I tried and I guess it worked out!"
With a 289 composite score (rein work 71.5, herd work 72.5, fence work 72, finals fence work 73) Federico Fanti of Italy took the Reserve Championship riding WR Smart N Slinky (WR This Cats Smart x Chupikas Real Jewel) owned by Federico Mainolfi. 

Claudio Ferrami and SA Ret Hickory N San

 

ERCHA/NRCHA $1,000-added Non Pro and $500-added Amateur Derby Riding his own SA Ret Hickory N San (Ret Great N San x Hickory Sanote), Claudio Ferrami rode to the Championships. "I never expected this result because a week ago the horse was not 100 percent so we decided to give him couple of days off. I started riding him again at the beginning of this week, without even practicing here, and I was a bit worried because managing the herd and fence work without practicing on the cows before the show was a bit challenging for me,” he shared. “Luckily, my girlfriend Giulia gave me the right motivation; without her support, I would not have entered in the arena with the right spirit. I am obviously very happy with the result, but at the same time I realized that I still have to work and improve a lot because the level of competition here is very high. I’m simply thrilled because with this horse I won the ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro and Amateur Futurity, Amateur Spring Stakes and today the Derby, For someone who has been chasing this dream for the past 15 years, it pretty cool!"
With a 283 composite (rein work 70.5, herd work 71, fence work 70, finals fence work 71.5) Alessandro Tugnoli and his SmartTarisDeal (Smart Easy Deal x OT Taris Peppy) took the Non Pro Derby Reserve Championship, while Ilaria Traverso and Just Sparkling Kid (SDP Justice Is Comin x Miss Puro Kid) claimed reserve honors in the Amateur Derby Reserve division with a total composite of 281 (rein work 69.5, herd work 72, fence work 69.5, finals fence work 70).

Eleonora Terzi and Cap Bet Rey Boon

Winning the Non Pro Limited Derby Championship was the very young Eleonora Terzi riding Cap Bet Rey Boon (Playful Bet x Bet Yer Reys), owned by Luca Terzi.



The ERCHA Derby offers the Breeder Association Cutting Horse of Europe 4-year-old Futurity.
Winning the Championship with a 74 score was Sheri Mason riding Sannkicker (Sannman x Kick The Cat) owned by Vivien Koenigsdorfer.
Second place honors, with a 73 score, went to Sasha Schwind riding Pistolcatshotingstar (Spooks Smoking Cat x Pistol Little Oak) owned by Claudia Schwind.
“The BACH of Europe program was born in 2016 with the purpose of stimulating the growth of the cutting horses breeding in Europe, and at the same time, having a Futurity with a big added money,” said Andrea Pagani. “We really have to thank ERCHA for giving us the opportunity to make this Futurity happen also giving us priority in the entries. It's been a blast and all the organization worked out perfectly!”
ERCHA President Markus Schopfer added: “We are very happy to have hosted the BACH of Europe Futurity during our Derby. We accepted their request with pleasure doing our best to satisfy their needs.”



Sheri Mason and Sannkicker

 

Sharing the win in the ERCHA All Ages Open Herd Work were Markus Schopfer riding Oh Cay Mc (Metallic Cat x Oh Cay Meriah) owned by Yvonne Bonda; and Giovanni Campanaro aboard Greed Mountain Quarter Horses’ Bet Command Rey (Dual On Command x Dots My Bet). Both duos scored 74.

In the All Ages Open Regional Herd Work, huge scores appeared on the leader board with Gianluca Munarini taking the lead after posting a huge 77 riding Yvonne Bonda’s Bet Hesa Five (Bet Hesa Cat x My Other Toys A Car), and
Federico Fanti riding Justacharmin Kitty (Metallic Cat x Justacharminboonsmal), owned by Tom Tessely, placing second two points behind.

Winning the ERCHA All Ages Non Pro Herd Work with a 73.5 score, was Sarah Destefanis riding her own Hot As Wasabi (Little Dulces Rey x Whirlacat), followed half a point behind by Andrea Pagani riding Baby Blue (Redwhiteandblue x IR Brigalena) owned by Sheri Mason.

With a 74 score, Giorgia Girardello riding her own Fleckles A Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Freckles Gin Fizz) stepped on the highest step of the podium of the ERCHA All Ages Non Pro Herd Work Regional. Damiano Avigni rode his own Kittenish (Kit Kat Sugar x Sweet Lil Gal) to second place scoring 72.5



ANCILLARY ACTION:

Two duos topped the ERCHA/NRCHA $600-added Open Bridle Class with a 147.5 score: Markus Schopfer aboard Oh Cay Mc (Metallic Cat x Oh Cay Meriah), owned by Yvonne Bonda (rein work 73.5, fence work 74), and Samuele Poli Barberis riding Cats Got Freckles (WR This Cats Smart x Playboys Girl), owned by Luca Terzi (rein work 72.5, fence work 75) who took the win thanks to the higher score posted in the fence work. “This horse never quits showing me how talented he is!” said Poli. “He has a big heart which, combined with his power, always gives me the opportunity to express myself. Even down the fence, I feel like a fearless kid!”

With a 144.5 composite (rein work 71.5, fence work 73), the ERCHA/NRCHA $300-added Open Hackamore Champions were Markus Schopfer and HipCat for proud owner Yvonne Bonda. The duo was followed by French professional Marine Richard aboard Nathalie Thenoz’s Catwoman Peptos.

Antoine Cloux scoring 146 (rein work 72, fence work 74) aboard Wares The Nurse (WR This Cats Smart x Nurseware) for owner Brigitte Belin, won the ERCHA/NRCHA $300-added Open Two Rein. One point behind (rein work 73, fence work 72) Markus Schopfer rode Yvonne Bonda’s Oh Cay Mc (Metallic Cat x Oh Cay Meriah) to take reserve honors.

There was another tie in the ERCHA/NRCHA $100-added Limited Open Bridle class between Andrea Sanfelici riding Epic Rush (Big Chex To Cash x Rush N Cat) for owner Giorgia Girardello (rein work 72.5, fence work 73.5), and Marine Richard riding her own GS Top On Whizard (Sail On Top Whizard x Miss Tari Jaz) closing with a 73 in both the rein and fence work. The win went to Sanfelici for the highest score in the fence work.

ERCHA Novice Horse Open Champion was Maria Giulia Fanti riding her own Re Jaba Jac Flash (Rs Little Red Jaba x Jacs Snipper Flash). The duo scored 71.5 in the rein work and 71 in the fence work, for a 142.5 total.

Winning the ERCHA/NRCHA $250-added Non Pro Bridle was Ilaria Traverso riding Player Cat (Smooth As A Cat x Dual Play Shorty). The duo won with a 141 composite score (rein work 68, fence work 73). Fabio Giacalone placed second aboard his own Smart Speedy (Smart Easy Deal x OT Boompepp) with 140 total score (rein work 68, fence work 72).

Jacky Molliex-Donjon and his own SA Rock N Ruf (Sailin Ruf x A Time To Rock) topped the ERCHA/NRCHA $100-added Non Pro Two Rein class with a 139 composite score (rein work 69, fence work 70). Half point behind, Dr. Peter Kun and his RJ Smart Gunpowder (ILL Be Smart x RJ Tough Feather) took second place as well as the ERCHA Non Pro Two Rein Regional class.

The ERCHA/NRCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle was all about the girls. Champions, with a 144 composite (rein work70, fence work 74), were Sarah Destefanis and Hot As Wasabi. Charlène Aubreton rode to reserve honors A Reminic Star (Lenas Starfish x Miss Reminic Chex), owned by CJA Quarter Horses with a 137 total score ( rein work 70, fence work 67).

Giovanni Martini and Future Cat (Hydrive Cat x Snow Imprint R), owned by Fulvia Biondi won the ERCHA Non Pro Limited Bridle Regional class with a 134.5 composite score (rein work 67.5, fence work 67. Second place was for Raimundo Segura riding his own Ans Snack Cat (ANS Mokie Cat x ANS Wyatt Snappy). The duo also placed second in the ERCHA Novice Riders Regional with a 138.5 score (rein work 67.5, fence work 71).

With a total 141.5 (rein work 68.5, fence work 73), ERCHA/NRCHA 1K Non Pro Limited Bridle champions were Giulia Fasani and Peptos Lil Bingo (Peptoboonsmal x Conchita Gay Bingo) owned by Markus Schopfer.

The ERCHA/NRCHA Novice Non Pro Bridle was all about France: Winning the class was Jacky Molliex-Donjon riding SA Rock N Ruf (Sailin Ruf x A Time To Rock) with a 134 composite (rein work 64, fence work 70). Second place, with a 128 score (rein work 60, fence work 68), was for Eric Leseur riding his own Metallic Whiz (Itsgoodtobelucio x Boogie Woogy Whiz)

Winning the ERCHA/NRCHA Beginning Fence Work class with a 137.5 composite (rein work 66.5, fence work 71) was Davide Maria Becchio and his Master N Smoke (Master Kaweah x Rum N Smoke). Second place, with a 133 composite score (rein work 70, fence work 63), went to French Charlène Aubreton and A Reminic Star (Lenas Starfish x Miss Reminic Chex), owned by CJA Quarter Horses.  
Three duos with the same 138.5 total composite score topped the ERCHA Novice Horse Non Pro. The win went to Emanuela Allevato riding her Hot Smart CD (Smart Easy Deal x Hot Tamale Baby) who scored 69.5 in the rein work and 69 in the fence work. She was followed by Andrea Panizza and his Ans Stylish Susy (More Than Stylish x Ans Wyatt Snappy), and Lorenzo Colombo riding Peppy Aristocrait MR (Tassas Aristocrat x MS Senorita Peppy).

Charlène Aubreton riding A Reiminic Star placed second with a 137 composite (rein work 70, fence work 67). They also topped the ERCHA Novice Riders class with a 144.5 composite score (rein work 72.5, fence work 72), followed by, in second place, Marco Giacone and Tygun (Gunstar x Pidgeon Poo) with a total score of 141 (rein work 68.5, fence work 72.5).


Winning the ERCHA Novice Riders Regional with a 141.5 (rein work, 68.5, fence work 73) was Carolina Baronetti aboard Lorenzo Sivori’s As Smart Lil Dancer (Itsgoodtobelucio x Smart Sarah).

Down The Fence with RopinK in collaboration with International Horse Press

The lady riders entered in ERCHA/NRCHA classes offering the fence work are automatically entered in the Down The Fence RopinK Challenge Championship. Following the NRCHA point system, below is the ranking after the second sanctioned DOWN THE FENCE WITH ROPINK event held during the Derby:

•    Marine Richard - Pt 23
•    Place - Ilaria Traverso - Pt 19
•    Place - Maria Giulia Fanti - Pt 15
•    Place - Marilena Mione - Pt 6
•    Marie Mura - Pt 5
•    Leni Bartmann - Pt 0
•    Andrea Popp - Pt 0
•    Charlène Aubreton - Pt 0
•    Emanuela Allevato - Pt 0
•    Silvia Manfredi - Pt 0



By ERCHA Press Office: 
International Horse Press
Simona Diale & Chiara Milani
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www.internationalhorsepress.com

For further information ERCHA.org