Levels 4, 3, 2
Filippo Milani and Tonystrip (Elvis Peppy Taco x Dark Blue River), an 8-year-old stallion bred by Matteo Gottardo and owned by Alessandro Milani, performed to a 221.5 to sweep the Level 4, 3, and 2 IRHA-IRHBA and IRHA Derby Non Pro Championships.
For 21-year-old Milani, the first major event win came as a surprise, though he knew his mount could do it for him. “I purchased this horse a month ago and decided to leave him under the guidance of [NRHA Million Dollar Rider] Manuel Cortesi. I rode him twice before trying him in a regional show, and here we are. Everybody said he was a great horse, and I knew that; I just didn’t realize how great he truly was,” said Milani, who was quick to thank his father for helping him achieve this result. “He was my first trainer, first sponsor, and is the first person I go to. We now look forward to being on the Italian Team at the 2025 World Reining Championships.”
Level 4 Reserve honors, with a 218.5, went to Carlo Ambrosini and Bliss Bobette San (NRHA Million Dollar Sire In Like Flinn x Docs Steady San), a 6-year-old mare owned by Ambrosini Quarter Horses and bred by Elisa Bregoli. “I hadn’t ridden her in two years, but in the Final, I managed to get a good score. This mare is truly amazing. We bought her as a 2-year-old, and she’s never let me down. Every time I showed her, I’ve always ended up on the podium. She’s really exceptional, and we’ll definitely compete in more events, but our main goal is to breed her. I’m really grateful to my family for always supporting me and to the entire Ambrosini QH team because none of this would be possible without them.”
The IRHA-IRHBA Level 3 Reserve Champions, with a 217.5 score, were Verena Rigott and her own Great Gotta Whiz (NRHA 10 Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz x Shirleys Cashin In), a 7-year-old stallion bred by Ambrosini QH. The duo tied for the IRHA Level 3 Reserve Championship along with Elia Kompatscher riding X Da Vinci Code (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Electric Code x Spanish Eita), a 5-year-old mare owned by Alois Kompatscher.
Level 1
Taking the Level 1 IRHA-IRHBA and IRHA Championship was young Manuele Bonzano with Mr Shines (NRHA 3 Million Dollar Shine Chic Shine x The Electric Sparkle), a 6-year-old gelding owned by 23 QH and bred by Alois Kompatscher. The duo also took Reserve honors in the IRHA-IRHBA and IRHA Level 2 division and in the IRHA 14-18 Youth Derby after scoring a 216.5. “I’m really happy with this win. My horse was great for me and stayed with me throughout the whole run. I’ve been riding him for two years, and he just keeps getting better. I’m really blessed to have him and I would like to thank my team, my trainer Alessandro Pinto, my dad, and my family above all.”
Petra Federer and her GD Show Me Summer (My Showbiz Whiz x GD Shannon Lena Doc), a 6-year-old gelding bred by Az. Agr. Dalla Piccola Giuliano, earned Reserve honors in Level 1 with a 213.5 score.
IRHA Youth 14-18 Derby
With a 217 score, Jan Gasser and his Hug A Spark (Spark N Whiz x GR Hug A Jewel), an 8-year-old gelding bred by Madeleine Künzler, claimed victory. “I’m very happy with this win, and it’s always great to see that hard work pays off. I would like to thank my horse; he always helps me out, is so honest in the show pen, and I can always trust him. I’ve been riding him for a few years now, and I ride with [NRHA Professional] Alois Kompatscher, who is a wonderful trainer and makes the horses he trains easy for us to ride.”
IRHA Non Pro Prime Time Derby
Manuel Bonzano and Shining Guns N Roses, a 5-year-old mare sired by NRHA 3 Million Dollar Sire Colonels Shining Gun and out of Roses for Einstein, owned and bred by 23 Quarter Horses, scored a 217 for the win. “I’m really happy for my son Manuele; he was amazing, and that touched me deeply,” said Bonzano about his son, who won the Level 1. “After watching his performance, I was less focused on my own competition; his run gave me an extraordinary emotion. The mare I rode has great maneuvers, and lately, we finally managed to find the right way to handle her at her best. I’m very satisfied with the result, and especially for staying out of the penalty box.”
The Reserve Championship, with a 213 score, went to Ewald Rifeser riding Millenium Reminic (Mifillenium x The Smartest Reminic), a 6-year-old gelding owned by Petra Burger.
IRHA Non Pro Master Derby
Tying for the Non Pro Master Derby with a 207.5 score were Andrea Castrucci and his own 7-year-old stallion Wimpys Lil Pale Face (NRHA 4 Million Dollar Sire Pale Face Dunnit x Wimpys Lil Diva), bred by Karin Machalek, and Eyal Carmon aboard his owned and bred 7-year-old stallion, Sail On Chexx (Chexolution x Sailor Whiz Ina). “This show is amazing and my horse is number one—the problem is the rider; I’m not good enough. It was great to make the finals, and I enjoyed the whole week,” said the Israeli rider who traveled to Italy for the show.
The DeNiroBootCo. Non Pro Derby Numbers:
- $36,920-Added IRHA-IRHBA Level 4 Non Pro Entries 52
- $14,040-Added IRHBA Level 3 Non Pro Entries 59
- $8,840-Added IRHBA Level 2 Non Pro Entries 76
- $6,760-Added IRHBA Level 1 Non Pro Entries 47
- $27,229-Added IRHA Level 4 Non Pro Entries 79
- $9,076-Added IRHA Level 3 Non Pro Entries 95
- $5,218-Added IRHA Level 2 Non Pro Entries 136
- $3,857-Added IRHA Level 1 Non Pro Entries 90
Saturday Action
On Saturday 29 the IRHA-FISE Debuttanti Green Level and Debuttanti Short Stirrup Championship Finals will open the day.
Closing the event will be the Quarter Dream IRHA-IRHBA-NRHA Open Derby Finals. Tickets will be available for PURCHASE at the main entrance on Saturday 29.
Further information:
- Official Website www.IRHA.it
- Live Score & Daily Schedule: www.SHOWMANAGER.info
- Livestream BONAGACOMMUNICATION.TV
- Tickets for the Level 4 Open Finals, Saturday 29, available online here
IRHA-IRHBA-NRHA Derby Media Contact
Simona Diale / International Horse Press
