$84,187-Added NRHA European Non Pro Derby: Youth Riders Steal the Show In Lyon

In front of a full house, 47 horse-and-rider combinations vied for the Derby Non Pro Championships. Ten youth riders made the Non Pro Finals: Three representing the Czech Republic, two representing Switzerland, two Italy, two Germany, and one Poland.

The Numbers

The $84,187-Added Non Pro Derby counted:

50 entries in the $35,039-Added L4

60 entries in the $24,574-Added L3

72 entries in the $16,383-Added L2

49 entries in the $8,191-Added L1

16 entries in the Youth

No stranger to the Equita Lyon, Sára Karasová of the Czech Republic returned this year after winning the L3, 2, 1 titles last year. With a thrilling performance aboard her 8-year-old gelding nominated by Franz Lechner, KH Yankee Step (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Rowdy Yankee x Step A Little Closer) awarded a 223.5 score, she took the Non Pro $35,039-added L4, $24,574-added L3 (repeating her 2021 win), and Churros Youth Championships.

“I am so incredibly happy; I didn’t expect this at all,” said the excited Champion who praised her horse for being with her the whole run. “My horse has been awesome the whole week, but during the run today he couldn’t have been any better. I was hoping for a

220 or so, but not this. When they announced the score, it was in French, so I didn’t understand, and then they announced it in English and I couldn’t believe it. He is a seasoned horse, he will be 8 next year, so it will be his last derby year, but today I knew after the first set of circles that he would be good. He truly shows from his heart and after today I feel like nothing can stop us,” said the 19-year-old rider who showed for the last time in the Youth division at this show and closed her youth career with a run to be remembered.

Swiss Adrienne Speidel aboard her own 7-year-old stallion nominated by Fabian Strebel, CDC Cromed Resolve (Custom Del Cielo x Kaysolve), tied to win

NRHA European Derby the first go-round and closed with reserve honors in both the L4 and L3 with a 221.5. “He is really a show horse and did his best today. He was better than in the qualifier and did everything I asked him. Maybe I should have been more proactive, but I am so happy with the way he went,” she said about her horse who she has had for the past two years.

Emanuel Gebert made history as being the youngest rider to ever win the $16,383-Added L2 and $8,191Added L1 Non Pro European Derby as well as the Reserve Championship in the Churros Youth Derby. He rode his own 7-year-old gelding Gunnalittlestep (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Gay

Jays Little Step), nominated by Ambrosini QH, to a score of 219. “I am really happy to have won here,” said the 9-year-old who in 2021 also made history by being the youngest rider to qualify for the European Non Pro Derby Finals. “I have been riding my horse for the past two years and I have to thank him because he is really good and I love him. I also thank my mom and my dad for this result.”

Swiss Nanina Staub and Whizkeywood, a 5-year-old stallion by Whizkey N Diamonds out of Hollywood Footprints, owned by Sabine Schmid and nominated by Humphrey Quarter Horses, closed their run with a 218 to claim the L2 and L1 Reserve Championships.

Tying to lead the Gunna Sparkle European Derby Novice Horse Non Pro with a 211 score was Belgian Ingrid Vermeiren riding Whiz N Polly (NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz x Shine On Ruff), a 5-year-old mare owned and nominated by Codan NV, and Finja Florian of Germany with Bang Bang Pistol (NRHA Seven Million Dollar Sire Gunnatrashya x Pistol Silhouette), a 6-year-old gelding owned by Vera Katja Florian and nominated by Sylvia Maile.

The APHA $1,500-Added NRHA European Derby L4 Non Pro Chrome Cash Incentive win was for George Sternberg Allen of Great Britain who closed his run with a 215 riding Francesca Sternberg’s A Shining Gun (Shine My Gun x Lady Buena Freckles), AKA ‘Goofy.’ Sternberg purchased the 8year-old stallion three years ago from [NRHA Professional] Grischa Ludwig. “At that time I went to ride with Grischa. He bred and raised Goofy and after getting on him the first time I realized he was my horse,” said George. “I called my mom, told her, and soon enough the horse was mine. I have always made the L4 finals on him and am thrilled to be here with this result today as my family and myself really love the APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Program.”