Taking their fourth major win after claiming the 2022 IRHA/IRHBA Open Futurity, the 2023 NRHA European Futurity Open, and the NRHA Germany Breeders 4-year-old Futurity Championships, tonight Cortesi and the Eleuterio Arcese/Roberto Cuoghi owned and Giacomo Ronchi/Cuoghi bred stallion by Master Snapper out of San July Jo Magnetic left the best for last by besting the 222.5 score posted by Arnaud Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town by half a point.
“My horse was fantastic as usual, even though we had a little problem finding the ground to stop since we were last in the draw,” said an enthused Cortesi hot off his $73.124-added L4 Open win. “Winning once again with him is a dream come true: He needs no introduction, we all know what he’s achieved so far, and is simply fantastic. He will now take a long well-deserved break!”
French Professional Girinon and Anna Maria Scheilfinger’s stallion by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown out of Shesa Fashion Gun bred by Peter Morgan, settled for Reserve honors. “I'm very happy with how my horse performed,” said the Rabboni Performance Horses head trainer. “Before coming here I only schooled him at a couple of shows and he performed very well. He was in training with Gennaro [Lendi] and then in May the reins passed on to me. I really can't say anything other than that he is truly a special horse.”
With a 219.5 score, Massimiliano Ruggeri and AC Einsteins In Like (In Like Flinn x Einsteins Delight), a stallion owned by Alessandro Marrapese and bred by Alessandro Cazzaniga, claimed both the $20.736-added L3 and the $9.823-added L2 divisions. “I'm very happy, tonight was an amazing night! He’s a super horse — I couldn’t describe him in any other way — and I’ve had him in training for about a year. He did really well at the NRHA Euro Futurity, as he did tonight, and I think there is still room for improvement, so fingers crossed for the future.”
A point behind, Stefano Angelucci and GH Walla Walla Donna (NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz x Nu Chex Donna), a mare owned by Angelucci Quarter Horses and bred by Guida Quarter Horses USA, took the L3 and L2 Open Reserve Championships.
17-year-old Jody Fonck of Belgium tonight added yet another title to the string of wins she has collected this year: The $5.457-added L1 Open Championship with Jaqueline Seger’s Iam Voodoo Dr (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr x Show Tennic), a stallion bred by Erwin Mueller. “He’s just an amazing horse and one of the best-minded I’ve ever known!” said the non pro rider who closed her run with a 216 score. “He’s incredible and is always there to help me out. I've been riding him since the beginning of the year and we've been pretty good together since day one. I’m so very grateful that his owner has always believed in both of us!”
The L1 Reserve Championship with a 214.5 was for Jasmin Andersdotter of Germany riding Sparkling And Spooky (NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage x Ebony Spook), a gelding owned by Alina Sira Herzlinger, bred by Rosanne Sternberg.
The final day of the 2023 Italian Futurity, Saturday 18, will resume tomorrow at 11 a.m. (Central European time) with the ACME Stallion and Foal Presentation.
The first section (Levels 3, 2, 1) of the Arcese IRHA/IRHA/NRHA 3-year-old Open Futurity Finals will start at 3 p.m. The second section (Level 4) will start at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the Finals may be purchased at the CremonaFiere box office. It is no longer possible to purchase tickets online.
Click here for the Open Finals Draw Sheets: https://issuu.com/internationalhorsepress/docs/open_issuu?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
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
