In the spotlight today was Anna-Maria Zehetbauer riding SS Pretty Nifty owned by Zeidelhof Reining Horses. Late in the draw, and with a 210.5 to beat in order to lead the $63,665-added Level (L)4 division, the Austrian rider set the bar high for those left to go by scoring a 215.5 which remained at the top. “I purchased my horse as a yearling in the U.S. at the NRHA Markel Yearling Sale and she was bred and consigned by Silver Spurs Equine,” she said about her mount by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Custom Nifty Nic. “I started her and trained her on my own and went on to show her in the ARHA Austrian Futurity and in the NRHA Germany Breeders Futurity and we brought home the L4 Non Pro titles in both events. I’m super happy that she made the finals here as well because I like her so much and she is so nice to show!”
Riding to the highest score — a 210.5 — in the $32,769-added L3 and $14,044-added L2 qualifiers was Italy’s Pietro Paolo Ambrosini with his two mounts: BH Double Spook and Dreamintherightstep, both owned by Ambrosini Quarter Horses. “This is all so very emotional,” was Ambrosini’s first comment. “It’s so great to finally do well with both horses. The first horse I went in with [BH Double Spook] is a lovely gelding that we purchased as a weanling who allows you to make mistakes and fixes them; he’s truly an easy horse. The mare is probably more talented but you have to be careful how you ride her because she is very sensitive. In the end all went well.” While BH Double Spook (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Sayos Last To Spook) was bred by Hubert Bosin, Dreamintherightstep (NRHA Nine Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream x Wimpys Surprise Chex), was bred and raised by Ambrosini.
Italian Matilde Mazzanti, with her gelding Okie Done Surprise (Okie Dun Badger x Ares Cody Glo) bred by Dario Carmignani between the reins, topped the $ 9,362-added L1 after performing to a 209. “This is my first Futurity and I am thrilled,” smiled the 16 year old who rides under the guidance of Emanuela Modestino . “My horse was with me all the way, and he was great, even though I’ve been riding him for less than a year and this is our second show one-handed. Having made the finals is already a big win so I will try to do my best but my goal is to have fun!”
2023 IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Non Pro Futurity: The numbers
Level 4 – entries 22 – finalists 9 – bubble score 207.5
Level 3 – entries 25 – finalists 10 – bubble score 204.5
Level 2 – entries 37 – finalists 15 – bubble score 203.5
Level 1 – entries 29 – finalists 12 – bubble score 202.5
40% of those left out of the Finals may advance to the Consolation on Wednesday, 13, vying for a spot on Friday, 17.
Saturday in CremonaFiere will welcome the IRHA/NRHA 4-year-old Open Futurity counting 95 entries in the four levels and will be followed by the FISE/IRHA Italian Parareining Championships.
Photos by Bonaga Communication
Live stream: live.andreabonaga.it
Live score: showmanager.info
For further information: www.FUTURITY.it / www.IRHA.it
IRHA-NRHA Futurity Media Contact
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
