AQHA has received word of the death of AQHA Past President and American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer Dr. Glenn Blodgett. “Doc Blodgett” was a man of few words, with even fewer to waste. When it came to his profession, practice and passion, Dr. Blodgett deemed it best to keep it simple.

In the fall of 2022, Arno Honstetter rode the talented mare Ms Dreamy, owned by Frederick Christen, to finish fifth place at The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge. The $60,000 prize – the second largest in the German native’s career, was enough to push him to the precipice of a major milestone – a million dollars in earnings.

It had been seven months since Lillie Keenan (USA) had jumped internationally in the United States when she met her stallion Agana van het Gerendal Z for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas (USA). She received a warm homecoming when she recorded her first career World Cup victory, besting a six-horse jump-off before a packed crowd Saturday night at the South Point Hotel.

In front of a full house, with standing space only, the 2022 edition of the Italian Futurity literally had the crowd in the Veronafiere stands cheering at the top of their voice from the first to the last horse-and-rider combination: Manuel Cortesi and July Joe Snap. When the duo closed their emotional and powerful run, a 227 appeared on the scoreboard accompanied by a standing ovation. The $216,013-Added Level (L)4 Open Futurity Championship was theirs.

FORT WORTH – The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is deeply saddened to share the unexpected passing of NCHA Director of Judges Sam Rose of Gainesville, Texas, earlier this morning, November 18, 2022.

Excitement ran high tonight in Verona, Italy, as the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity finalists gave all they had to clinch the titles and paychecks up for grabs in the highest-paying 4-year-old Open Futurity ever offered in Europe.

Level of competition ran deep, scores rose, and so did the public’s cheers as some of Europe’s best horses and riders performed in the Veronafiere Arena. Half way through the second section, the loudest cheering was for Poland’s Lukasz Czechowicz and CSG Kenzo (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun x Shiner Brimolena) who thrilled the fans with his powerful yet smooth ride. From the first stop and back, through the fast and precise spins, to the speed transitions and imperceptible lead changes, Czechowicz’s mount stopped deep in the ground raising the dirt which resulted in the highest score of the evening, a 227.5, and the win in both the $ 144.390-Added Level L(4) Championship as well as the $ 38.654-Added L3 title.

A great IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro 3-year-old Futurity Final thrilled the crowd in the stands at Veronafiere where the 2022 $800,000-Added Futurity is being held. Taking the $ 77.309,88-Added Level (L)4 and $ 39.791,85-Added L3 Non Pro Championships was young Matteo Capello aboard Alberto Capello’s Shya Shine (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Shine Chic Shine x Shyawhiz).

The first 2022 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity finals lit up the Veronafiera Arena in Verona, Italy, with the $101,185-Added IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Non Pro Futurity counting 27 finalists across the four levels vying for the Championships.

It was truly a special event for Lucie-Lena Egenter of Germany who showed off her horses’ talent as well as hers. Her part-time trainer, NRHA Professional Grischa Ludwig, praised the 18-year-old for her professionalism. “Lucie does it all by herself; here and there I help her a little bit but ever since we’ve known each other, she thinks like a professional which makes it easy for me,” said Ludwig. “She knows what she is doing, she always has a plan, and for her age it’s amazing.” The young rider performed to a 218.5 in the qualifier, leading all the levels, and rode to the same score in the finals claiming the $53,435-Added Level (L)4, $28,420-Added L3, $11,370-Added L2 and $7,960-Added L1.

The $800,000-Added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity held in Verona, Italy, at renowned Veronafiera has already left its mark. Following an exciting first go round, today 99 horse-and-rider combinations came back strong to determine who will be in the 3-year-old Open Futurity Finals on Saturday 19.