Record-Breaking NCHA of Italy/NCHA Derby

The Italian Special Event, held during the renowned Salone del Cavallo in Cremona, brought back the ‘good old days’ with a record-breaking number of entries and riders from all over Europe.

Fanti claims Open Derby and the Triple Crown

Leaving his mark in the arena was Italian professional Federico Fanti who not only took the Open Derby Championship but also claimed the ‘Triple Crown’ win: He in fact claimed the Futurity, Challenge Futurity, and Derby titles riding Spook A Boon owned by Sergio Traverso. “Stating I am on cloud nine does not express how I feel,” said Fanti. “The level of competition here was extremely high and earning second Open Derby title as well as the Triple Crown is incredible. I am very proud of my horse, who I raised, broke, and trained, and who rode me to these results. He has a royal pedigree and is one of the most solid horses I have ever ridden and was as easy to train as his mother was.” According to Fanti he was great in the first go, as he always is, and that is the trick. “Anything can happen in the second go, but we were both really concentrated and we made it! He will always hold a very special place in my heart,” he added and was quick to thank all his team.

The Open Derby Reserve Championship, with a 288 score, was for Denis Pini riding She Talks Smart owned by Paolo Gozzi. Pini also took third place honors with a 286 riding Another Bullet for owner Imre Katona.

Taking the Limited Open Derby title was Nicola Simone riding

By Edited Press Release

Tassa Cash Mr, followed by Andrea Favaretto aboard Dont Even Talk. “Winning the Championship two years in a row was great and the best thing about all this is having won with a horse born at my place and trained by me,” said Simone. “I truly had a lot of fun and would like to thank all the trainers that helped me along the way: Denis Pini, Pietro Valeri, Martina Anovazzi and Federico Fanti. The thing I love the most about this discipline is the collaboration between all of us.”

The Non Pro Derby

Taking first place honors with a 289 score was Stefano Noci riding Trendzetter for owner Marco Sacchetti. “Winning was a gift from above,” said Noci. “ Marco and I were wondering where we would go with this horse and we could not be any happier. He’s really talented and I’ve only had him in training since 2021; he is super fun to ride and to show and a huge thanks goes to Gianluca Munarini and Sheri Mason for their help in the arena.”

The Reserve Championship with a

286 was for Marco Salvatori riding Smart Iron Rey followed by Zoltan Szalontai riding Big Island. The latter also rode to the Limited Non Pro Derby Championship.

Spring Show: The Open

Open to aged horses, where only six qualified for the finals, the Spring Show is considered one of the most prestigious events. In Cremona, five of the six finalists were all from Rosy O’Grady’s Cutting Horses.

The title, with a 148.5 score, went to Pietro Valeri and Cat Rey Lou owned by Marco Salvatori. Tying for the Reserve Championship was Martina Annovazzi riding Iminent Cat for owner Maurizio Sandei, and Marco Salvatori with Highbrow Time under the saddle. Each scored a 146.

“The show here was impeccable under all aspects; the organization, the ground, the cattle,” said Valeri who gave credit to his amazing mare Cat Rey Lou.

“Regarding our team’s results, they were extraordinary, in particular because five out of the six finalists in the open and four in the non pro division were from Rosy O’Grady’s. What made the Spring Show even more exciting was the Non Pro division: They were all incredible and all dared to show their horses. Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife Martina for all she does for me and the team day-in-day-out.”

Spring Show: The Non Pro

Tying for the Championship with a 150 score was Marco Salvatori riding Highbrow Time along with his daughter Greta aboard Cat Rey Lou. Matteo Chinaglia closed in third place riding Vino Cappuccino to a 147 score.

Marco was thrilled with his win and thanked his horse for riding him to his third Spring Show title.

“He is a fantastic horse who this year also rode me to the Open Reserve Championship,” he said. “He just gets better and better each time I show him and I have to give him the credit as well as my trainers Martina and Pietro [Valeri]. I would like to extend my thanks to Federico Fanti and Gaetan Foulatier for their help in the show pen, and of course I loved sharing this title with my daughter Greta.” The NCHA of Italy president was also pleased with having so many European riders who believe in the events organized in Italy.

For Greta the win was sweet: In the past two years she closed Reserve.

“Victory was always really close and my goal this year was to show well and to bring home the title,” she said. “I gave my all and tried to be fast. I cut three cows and worked them trying to show the judges the risk factor. My mare was fantastic, in great shape, solid, and winning in a field of 20 entries was very emotional for me.”