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Gina Schumacher, pictured with Whizzard, who she rode to the 2016 NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Non-Pro Championship. • Photo by Andrea Bonaga

Gina Schumacher and Shiney Dun Face Top European Futurity Level 4 Non-Pro Qualifier

The 2019 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity counted 66 horse-and-rider combinations in the €69.207-added* European Futurity Non-Pro qualifier (*subject to change in Nominations). Riding to the high score in the Level 4 division with a 216.5 were Gina Schumacher and CS Ranch Management SA’s Shiney Dun Face (Pale Face Dunnit x Sheza Shiney Chic x Twice As Shiney).

With only three combinations left to go, the multiple NRHA Non-Pro World Champion and her gelding beat the score posted by Fabienne Kuratli-Suter — a 215 — posted early in the draw. The Swiss rider and her Alpha Top Gun, a gelding by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown and out of Smoking Walla Wanda (by Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner]), topped Levels 3 and 2.

A young Francesca Ferrarol, of Italy, riding Spat Enterprise (Spat Olena x Fame Oak Enterprise x ARC Oak Enterprise), owned by Maurizio Ferrarol, posted the high score in the Level 1 division.

The first day of competition also hosted the first section of the €162,223-added* NRHA European Futurity Open go-round. The 2018 NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, Gennaro Lendi, rode Grey Stone Ranch’s Showgirl Shining Gun (Colonels Shining Gun x Shes A Lil Showgirl x Lil Ruf Peppy) to a 220, the top score of the day.

On April 2, the second section of the Futurity Open qualifier, which totaled 119 horses, will take place. Riders in the European Futurity Non-Pro who did not automatically qualify for the finals will have a chance to earn a ticket to the finals through the Consolation run, which will close the day.

For further information, visit www.nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com. Follow the action live on showmanager.eu for the Livescore and on andreabonaga.it for the Livestream.