Maurizio Battista Sandei and Iminent Cat at Americana 2019.
Metallic Cat son Iminent Cat had his game face on in the Americana's Non Pro cutting division.

Americana: Cutter Iminent Cat closes deal in Non Pro

Iminent Cat, with Italian Maurizio Battista Sandei on the reins, bested 11 finalists to win the $6,822-added Non Pro division with a 150 at the European Championship Cutting portion of the Americana in Augsburg, Germany.

Iminent Cat is a 7-year-old gelding by Metallic Cat and out of Peekaboon (by Freckles Playboy). He was bred by Oxbow Ranch in Weatherford, Texas. Before his transport to Italy as a 4-year-old, Iminent Cat was trained by Beau Galyean. 

Snappy Hunter with Yvonne Heinzer of Switzerland at the helm was the Reserve Champion with a 147. Heinzer and Battista Sandei were 1-2 in the Masters Cutting Non Pro. Snappy Hunter, a 6-year-old mare, is by Be A Smart Hunter and out of Sweetly Snapper (Snapper Cal Bar). 

Iminent Cat has shown well in the past. The steed was crowned Reserve Champion, with Martina Annovazzi as the rider, at Americana in 2017. Heinzer was 2018 NCHA European Champion Amateur and a past Americana Non Pro finalist.

Americana 2019 continues through Sunday.

NRHA Limited Non Pro: Richard Forster, come on down

Richard Forster’s 215 with Jacs Royal Boonsmal was the top score in the National Reigning Horse Association Limited Non Pro finals. 

Forster and his 13-year-old stallion, Jacs Royal Boonsmal (Royal Boonsmal x Zans Glenda Jac x Mr Smokin Eighty Six), had been third in this division at Americana two years ago. The two were also leading in 2018 ERCHA Limited Open Bridle ranking.

Robert Hesse, aboard his 7-year-old stallion SB Great Rendition (Great Resolve x Hot Rendition x Jalapeno Peppy), and Attilo Bonarelli and GH Dreaming Dirty (Dirty Dancer x OT Taris Minnik x Taris Valentine) each registered a 213.5, the next-best score.