Bologna, November 18, 2021 – The 3-year-old 2021 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity filled the day at Cremona Fiere, Cremona, Italy, with the second go round of the $289,181-added Open Futurity. Held in a two go round format and seeded finals,122 horse-rider combinations across the four levels (L4, 56 entries; L3, 47 entries; L2, 69 entries; L1, 46 entries) took the reins performing for a spot in the finals.
Claiming the highest composite score in the $196,686-added Level (L) 4, a 439 (220.5;218.5) was head trainer for Poland’s Roleski Ranch Lukasz Czechowicz riding CSG Wisemanfear. By Colonels Shining Gun out of Tejana Chic and bred by Brent Loseke’s Colt Company in Texas where the anchor stallion stands, owner Katarzyna Roleska had purchased the gelding as a yearling. He made his way to Poland where he was trained by Czechowicz. «He is a very cool horse with big stops», he said following the second go. «I showed him at the [NRHA] Belgium Futurity where we marked a 218 and here the plan was to go for it in the first go and save him in the second. For some reason, he changed leads for one stride when changing leads from the right to the left circles today so I decided to commit him a little more in the second set of circles and send him in the stops. He responded really well and I’m now truly looking forward to showing him in the finals».
Earning the highest composite in both the $53,158-added L3 and $26,579-added L2 divisions was Francesco Barbagli with SQ Magnetic Dreamer for owner Marco Martinelli between the reins. The Italian Professional aboard the mare by Chic Magnetic out of DC Reyning Olena, bred by Francesco Martinotti, closed with a 434 composite (215.5; 218.5) and was thrilled with his result considering that he has only been riding the mare for the past month. «Her owner Marco [Martinelli] was a non pro of mine at one time and now comes to ride with me every once in a while», said Barbagli. «When he came to train at my place a month ago he asked me what I thought of her. I got on her, rode her, and immediately asked him if he would let me show her at the Futurity and he said yes! As I was riding her, I could feel that she was a true reining horse. She’s not that flashy but is always between the reins and does her job well.” Barbagli shared that in the second go he was a little tense as he wanted to be ‘perfect.’ “She is so consistent, has so much heart, and I didn’t want to be the one making any mistakes as I knew she wasn’t going to. I’m thrilled with this result and really look forward to the finals», he added.
Tommaso Beltramini of Italy performed to a total 425.5 composite (213.5; 212) in the $12,758-added L1 riding Steppin To Amarillo, a stallion by Steppin On Sparks out of Frosted Wimped Cream owned and bred by Riccardo Abati. «This is a really cool story for me because I won my first ‘little’ bronze on this horse’s dam and got to know the sire when I was working for [NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider] Jordan Larson in the U.S.», said the young Italian Professional. «When I went to work for Riccardo [Abati] a year ago and met his 2 year olds, I thought this one was really good, even though he was still pretty green. He always wants to do really well and in the two go rounds I took it easy; now I can step on the pedal in the Finals!»
The Open Futurity Finals will be held on Saturday, November 20.
Tickets for the Section 2 of the IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Finals on Saturday, November 20, may be purchased at Futurity.it.
AIQH 3-year-old Open Futurity Champions crowned
NRHA Million Dollar Rider Ann Fonck riding Lenka Lukackova/Simone Zen’s PL Miss Gotta Whiz (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Nu Chex Donna) scored a total composite of 436 (217, 219) claiming the Italian Quarter Horse Association (AIQH) 3-year-old L4 Open Championship. In the L2 division, Mauro Vecchiutti and Red Tinker Jaba (Jaba Oak x Eskimo Lena) won both go rounds with a 207.5 and 210 respectively pocketing the Championship.
During the Italian Futurity, the prestigious 2021 FISE/IRHA Italian Championship Finals presented by ELEMENTA is also being held in Cremona.
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Source: Irha/Irhba/Nrha Futurity Media Contact Simona Diale / International Horse Press