ISSUE: NOVEMBER 25, 2015 In this issue: 2015 Italian Reining Futurity Reflections from Ruben van Dorp NRBC Introduces $10,000 Development Division NRHA Futurity & North American Affiliate Championship Show just around the corner! Upcoming 2015-2016 NRHA Events 2015 ITALIAN REINING FUTURITY November 14-22, 2015 Pierluigi Chioldo Claims Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity Championship on Saturday Mizzen The experiment was successful and the challenge has been met. The stands of the large, bright oval arena of the “new Futurity” in Cremona was sold out in and provided an ideal setting to the “reining show” the big Open Final. An impec- cable sound system and a sound track chosen with feeling and intelligence, was supported by a flawless technical staff. And at the top of the podium for levels 4 and 3, a third-gen- eration Italian trainer - 30-year-old Pierluigi Chioldo. His partner in victory in this great adventure, the 2015 Open IRHA / NRHA Futurity, was the magnificent Sat- urday Mizzen, a gelding by Saturday night Custom and Westcoast Mizzen bred by Ambrosini QH in Pontoglio (Brescia). We could almost call this the “geldings’ Futuri- ty”, as once again a gelding dominated the ranking, show- Pierluigi Chioldo and Saturday Mizzen ing how this condition can really bring out the best from certain types of horse, helping to avoid unnecessary risks ponent to beat: the great Bernard Fonck, who had marked a and conferring a special kind of serene energy that may be resounding 223, giving full expression to the power of Sev- an advantage in the show pen. enchextocash (Big Chex to Cash x Lil Chic Peppy), another Saturday Mizzen and Chioldo really upped the power gelding belonging to 7 Heaven Reining Horses.”Pier” had between the first and second go-rounds to tie for the lead to pull out all the stops: he and Saturday Mizzen astonished after the preliminary rounds with Pierluigi Fabbri, who was the crowd with a run that became progressively more im- on top form this week, also winning the Italian Champion- pressive: two sets of elegant and precise spins, fast circles, ship aboard Broadway Jaba, and here riding Gfc Surprise where the charisma of this young horse emerged clearly , as For Me and finishing their show as Futurity Open Reserve well as flawless small, slow circles. The finishing touch to Champion Level 3 and in fourth place at level 4 tied with a great performance was the execution of the three thrilling the beautiful Ann Fonck and Roosters Attitude. stops, met with a standing ovation from the audience as the Chioldo’s run was beautiful chestnut exited the arena, while the announcer’s aggressive but charac- voice announced the winning score of 224.5. terized by a wealth of Saturday night Mizzen is the product of a mare, daugh- style and technique. The ter of West Coast Whiz, that Pierluigi rode while trainer at trainer from Piedmont Arcese QH. “I fell in love with this horse immediately, and entered second to last he always been my favorite,” he says. “He might be rather and had a formidable op- lazy, but has a great character and one peculiarity, if you November 25, 2015 • Page 1 work him on an empty stomach he gets very upset!” He in Cremona. Sometimes it’s a bit dangerous, because he adds “I think Mizzen’s added value is the style he shows in risks pushing himself too far. Halfway through the final, the everything he does. I love the naturalness he expresses in fatigue hit him and I could ask no more, but I’m delighted every maneuver, always with his head down.” with the way he performed.” Chioldo, 30 years old last June, started his career as This is a stallion whose name is especially fitting, as he a professional trainer while still very young as assistant was in many ways a surprise as Pierluigi explains, “We to Stefano Massignan at Arcese Quarter Horses. In that bought this horse last year from Ambrosini; he’d already period, he won the 2007 Limited Open Futurity riding Arc been marked as unsuitable for Open competitions so we Olena Cee (Arc Matt Olena x Hickory Holly Cee). Sub- were trying him for a Non Pro, but I got a great feeling sequently he moved to become trainer at Claudio Risso’s straight away – he was a bit behind with his training but facility, Roberta’s Stable, after spending some time in the he’s very special because he’s a great worker.” “The show US to hone his professional skills, and finally settled at the organization in Cremona was fantastic, the stabling, the stables of Paolo Ambrosini, premium sponsor of this Fu- surface of the arenas, all the facilities, up there with the turity 2015, who declared, “It’s an incredible feeling when very best European shows,” concluded Fabbri. the Futurity is won by your own stallion’s first son! Dominating Level 2 were Stefano Angelucci and Jessie Special thanks to all those who helped earn this suc- Sailor, belonging to the rider’s father, Severino. The good cess: my family, who share my passion, and all the staff, 3-year-old is a son born from the family’s stallion, Frozen especially those who work behind the scenes to build the Sailor, better known as Captain, and Jessie Oak Tari. In the success of our breeding program. In addition, I want to go-rounds Stefano chose to ensure a calm and clean perfor- congratulate the entire organization of the Futurity here in mance, marking a higher score in the second go but without Cremona for creating a really special event.” pushing too much, just enough to get to a good composite Bernard Fonck was confirmed as Reserve Champion 421.5 and ninth place in the provisional standings; enough Level 4 riding an impressive stallion bred by the current to enter the final without exhausting the energies of his owners, 7 Heaven Reining Horses. Following the show talented stallion too early. Stefano, who is generally quite Bernard wanted above all to emphasize the help received reserved and not much of a talker, described his horse from his wife Ann. “All my thanks go to my wife Ann for saying, “He tends to be a bit nervous around other horses, helping me prepare for this run; I didn’t feel too good while but that really is his only defect. He’s never given me any getting ready, but she pushed and supported me, and I’m problems, even in training, except for a brief moment when really grateful.” he was slightly ‘blocked’; but then it passed about a month Commenting on the final itself Bernard expressed his ago, and everything went smoothly.” surprise on the score awarded for the circles, a sentiment Stefano knew that Jessie Oak had great potential, but surely shared by many in the audience given the roar of admits honestly that he did not think he was quite ready to appreciation from the crowd as the pair completed the take a place on the podium. This result, of course, makes maneuver. “I don’t wish to dispute the judges’ decision and him very happy. The title of Reserve Champion Futurity I’d like to emphasize that I’ve watched Chioldo’s run and Open Level 2 goes to Mirko Midili and Rs Moon Feo Jac, I can say that the best man won, no doubt about it. But if already the undisputed go-round leaders. The stallion is my circles in the final deserved just + ½ I’d like to see what a son of the many-time winner Rs Great Jac Feona out of you have to do to get + 1 or + 1 ½?” Rs Red Moon Olena, by Spat Olena, and hence a product Bernard continues, “This horse came to me as a two-year- labeled Claudio Risso 100% given that both parents were old and I started training him myself in December. I was bred by the great horseman from Piedmont. The combina- more than happy with him at Cremona. Fonck is generous tion, which in the preliminaries had marked 214 and 217.5, with his praise for the organization in Cremona. “The qual- entered the arena as the 32nd pair and reached a score of ity of the show here was at a whole different level; there 215.5 in the final (where they were competing in the three was all you needed for the horses and it was great to give upper levels). “It was my third horse in the final,” said something back to the many sponsors we have in terms of Mirko, who had already presented two other horses belong- contact and enjoyment – a 100% improvement.” ing to Risso, Rs Blue Link (Spat A Blue x RS Linkwood Leading after the preliminary go-rounds alongside Jac) and RS Last Feona Spat (Spat Olena x Feona Pine), Pierluigi Chioldo, was one of Romagna’s finest reiners, “and I had overdone it a bit on the circles with the first two, Pierluigi Fabbri on GFC Surprise For Me (Dualin For Me so by the end of the pattern both horses were too tired to x Arc Surprise On Stage), owned by Piero Pollarini. The give it their all on the stops. So, with Jac Feo I held back on pair were the last competitors to enter the entered the show the circles and pushed harder on the final stops. Unfortu- pen, and the crowd encouraged horse and rider to give their nately, I didn’t get the credits I was hoping for, but I’m very all.