ISSUE: JULY 15, 2015 In this issue: NRHA European Affiliate Championships New Exhibitor Amenities at the Tulsa Reining Classic AQHYA Officers and Directors Named for 2015-16 Reflections with Ruben Vandorp Show Results Upcoming NRHA Events 2015 NRHA EUROPEAN AFFILIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Opening the 2015 edition of the NRHA European Af- filiate Championship was the Rookie Professional finals which had eleven qualified riders. Host country, France, claimed the highest step of the podium with Félix Lejour riding his 7-year-old Paint Horse stallion, Smokin Boom (Mr Boomerjac x Fancy Smoke x Smokes Peppy San) after posting a 208.5. “My father, Francois, purchased this horse as a 2-year-old in the US and we shipped him here to France when he was 5,” said an enthused Félix who runs his own training facility near Paris. “I’ve had him in training ever since and even if we still have a lot of work to do together I am thrilled with this result which I really didn’t expect!” Taking the European Affiliate Rookie Professional Re- 3-year-old. We’ve gone a long way together and since I ride serve Co-Championship, with a 206.5, were Great Britain’s him myself I couldn’t be any happier,” said Mylene. Andrew James Plant with his 13-year-old stallion, Docs A half point behind was Rudy Van Maele of Belgium Smokin Apache (Docs Smokin Lena x Miss Dee Doc x riding Lenas Golden Pegesis, a 7-year-old Quarter Horse Dancing Go Man) and Jolien Rottiers of Belgium riding Lil gelding by Lenas Pegesis and out of Golden Algeria (by Jac Ruf Wimpy (Wimpys Little Step x Lil Trouble Miss x Lil O Rima). Ruf Peppy) for owner Koen Brutsaert. It was a very special day for 20-year-old Bo Brutsaert Winning the EAC Rookie Championship with a 210, in of Belgium. Riding CJ Whiz, a 6-year-old Quarter Horse a field of 28 qualifiers, was France’s Laure Molina Tellez stallion owned by her father. Koen, the young lady reiner riding her 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Eazy With took home the EAC Intermediate Non Pro Championship The Gun (Easy Otie Whiz x Playguns Rose x Playgun). “I with a great ride and a score of 218.5. “I first rode CJ Whiz am thrilled with this title for more than one reason,” said at the Belgian Derby, so it’s only been six months, and I am a smiling Laure. “My horse was born and bred in France, thrilled. He is so good minded, gives you all he has when I’ve had him ever since he was a 2-year-old and this is the he’s in the arena and is just so honest. I have to give credit last show I will be competing with him in since he is now to my trainer, Matyas Gobert, and I now hope that it will be for sale. He’s been great for me but I’ve just purchased a me instead of my dad that gets to show him at the European 2-year-old Pale Face Dunnit who is being broke and trained Derby!” commented Bo about her horse who is by Topsail and I cannot afford to keep both. I will certainly make sure Whiz and out of Dream Olena Chic (by Magnum Chic he gets a good home and am so happy he earned this well- Dream) and who boasts over $52,600 LTE. deserved title.” The reserve championship went to fellow countryman, The Reserve Championship was also for France as Dries Verscheuren who posted a 215 aboard his 11-year-old Mylene Bourdon rode her 17-year-old Quarter Horse geld- stallion, BA Superjac (Mcjac Flash x High Brows Chick x ing, Iron Easter King (Taris Colonel x Miss Holly Seven x High Brow Hickory). Holly 7 John) to a 208.5. “I’ve had my horse since he was a A half point behind, Leonoor de Bruin of The Nether- July 15, 2015 • Page 1 July 15, 2015 • Page 2 Limited Non Pro Champions Jean Francois Ayoul and Slide On Sal Intermediate Open Champions Petra Van Ede riding Spook So Fly lands, riding Crome Don’t Corrode, took third place hon- of Belgium riding Docs Lil Gun. The 8-year-old gelding, ors. The 7-year-old stallion by Custom Crome and out of owned by Annick and Tom Huyghe, is by Lil Gun and out Maggie Chex (by Buenonic Chex) has earned over $51,500 of Miss Bright Doc (by Exclusively Ours). in NRHA competition. The EA $1,500-added Intermediate Open Championship, The EA Limited Non Pro Championship, sponsored by sponsored by Equita Lyon, counted 19 entries. Claiming the AGP Imprimerie, winner was Jean Francois Ayoul riding title for the Netherlands was Petra Van Ede riding Spook So his 10-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Slide On Sal (Lenas Fly for owners De Bruin Reining Horses. The 6-year-old Wright On x Smart Sally x Smart Chic Olena). “Coming gelding by Smart Spook and out of Fly Flashy (by Boogies here, my goal was the podium so actually taking the title Flashy Jac) has been shown by Petra since 2013. “Words is just great!” said the NRHA France vice-president who cannot express how happy I am to have made it to the high- closed his run with a 213. “I purchased this horse three est step of the podium especially after coming in second years ago and unfortunately last year he was injured so we behind Doug for the last two shows!” said Petra who boasts slowly started showing again in 2015. I cannot thank my two Limited Open EA Championships and who closed her trainer, Fabien Boiron, enough for the great work he has run in Le Pin with a 218. done with me and my horse and of course my friends Cath- The reserve championship, with a 215, went to Doug erine and Philippe Castel, owners of Maqueline Reining Allen of Great Britain riding Christine Brazeau’s Hang- Horses, who are huge supporters of the sport of reining.” ten Shiner (Hang Ten Surprize x Ebony Shines x Shining Michelle Maibaum of Germany rode Chics Lil Revolu- Spark), a 7-year-old stallion. “My horse was really good for tion (Einsteins Revolution x Dun It By Chick x Hollywood me today, he tried really hard, he’s so good minded, athletic Dun It), owned by Juergen Maibaum, to second place and talented,” said the NRHA Professional. “We came here honors with a score of 212.5. “I’ve been showing this horse right after the CS Classic, so we’ve been on the road for a for a little over a year and I really like him,” said Michelle while and he’s a little tired. I would like to thank Christine who also qualified two other horses for the EAC Youth Brazeau for giving me the opportunity to ride him.” finals. “He is very talented and I’m happy we got this result Tying for third place honors, with a 214.5, were Valentina today. My trainer at home is Alex Ripper and, since he did Sagmeister of Austria aboard Robert Hahn’s SZ Gunners not qualify any horses for the championship, my thanks go Newcomer (Gunner x Cowboys New Comer x Dunnit Like to Ann and Bernard (Fonck) who helped me out here.” A Cowboy) and Frank Perret of France riding his own ND Third place honors, with a 211.5, went to Gilles Huyghe Tiger Woods (Little Gump x Codys Diamond Dun It x July 15, 2015 • Page 3 July 15, 2015 • Page 4 Youth 14-18 Champions Indy Henrard & Steadys WR Diamond Youth 13 & Under Champions Marie Baralon & Chicken Sandwich Hollywood Dun It). in the draw riding his 5-year-old gelding RS Knockout In the EA Youth 14-18 Championship, twenty-five rid- Olena (Spat Olena x Boogie Bar Linda x Boogie Mania), ers representing eight nations rode for the prestigious title settled for second place. “My goal was that of qualifying (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Swe- for the Championship and hopefully earning the title,” said den, Switzerland, The Netherlands). Competition was tough Italian rider. “I’m happy with the way my horse went for and Indy Henrard of Belgium topped the final standings me today, even though I can’t hide the fact that I was hop- with a 217.5 with her 9-year-old Quarter Horse stallion, ing to win!” Steadys WR Diamond (Steadys Dude x Arc Oak Diamonds Belgian Jinke Stevens and her 8-year-old gelding Don x Doctor In Diamonds) between the reins. “I’ve had my John Escapes BB (Don Quixote Escapes x Soft Whizpers x horse for two years now. He is really sweet and a great Topsail Whiz) posted a 214.5 taking third place honors. spinner and stopper,” said the 16-year-old rider. “I have to Youth Team Tournament: thank my trainers Patrick and Jurgen Poels for helping me The 2015 Youth Team Tournament counted 13 teams. achieve this great result.” Taking first place, and the Gold medal, with 643.5 points The second step of the podium was also for Belgium as was the Brent Wright Bunch (Emiel Delporte/Pumpkin Gilles Huyghe rode Docs Lil Gun to a 216. The pair had Rooster – BEL; Gina Schumacher/Jesses Major Affair – already claimed third place in the EAC Limited Non Pro SUI; Marie Baralon/Chicken Sandwich –FRA; Matteo Cap- held in the morning. “Today I showed him in the morning pello/RS Craggan More –ITA).