The Non Pro

Gabriele Poli Barberis of Italy and Samisa Ranch's 13-year-old stallion Highbrow Fletch (Royal

Fletch x Lil Sally Cat) closed the steer stopping with a 69 score and a 281.5 total composite claiming the inaugural Non Pro SR Four Crown Spectacular

Championship. “I’m really happy with the result we achieved here, in this great inaugural event. My horse is really complete, very athletic and strong, and always helps me out in the arena. He’s simply amazing,” said Gabriele.

Taking reserve honors was Marie Mura of France and her 6year-old gelding Woody Choco Pepto (Stylin Dual x Mamaws Little Pepto).

The duo topped the scoreboard in the inaugural non pro steer stopping with a 71 as well as the rein work with a 69.5. “I’m really trilled with how my horse performed here in particular because we started showing him in a bridle this year. This event fell at the right time,” said Mura. “I look forward to next year’s event as he did really well for me and always takes care of me.”

Youth Champions

The very first European Youth to take part in the ‘Greatest’ was 10-year-old Edoardo Poli Barberis of Italy riding Snapperheartbreaker— a 2004 American Quarter Horse gelding sired by Mr Snapple out of Phoebes Heartbreaker— owned by Vincenzo Spinetta.

The duo left their mark in the SR Four Crown Spectacular winning the ERCHA Youth Championship with a 271 composite score.

All Girls Champion

A thrilled Mura and 'Choco' also posted the highest score in the RopinK Challenge All Girls Division taking home the Trophy Buckle.

Third place honors went to Austria's Andrea Popp riding her 6-year-old gelding One Smart Sultan (Two Play To x Avril Smart Play).

The Judge

Okami Ranch brought renowned NRCHA Multiple Past World Champion and NRCHA Judge Blue Allen in the chair at the inaugural SR Four Crown Spectacular

Based out of Alamosa, Colorado, where he lives with his wife, Jeannie and son, Caden, Allen went from cowboying to team roping to rodeoing before settling down to work with reined cow horses. “I moved to reined cow horse because it truly is a premier horse event. The ‘Greatest’ is the pinnacle of all horse events as you have to show your horse in four disciplines and this shows the horse’s athletic ability and versatility,” he continued. “Due to past injuries, I have not been able to show much lately, but being an NRCHA judge allows me to be part of the sport I love. You get to see a lot of good runs, good horses and different styles. I am looking forward to judging the inaugural European Greatest: The very first horse-rider to win here is making history.”

In 2007, Allen rode Whiskey Starlight to the Reserve World Championship. The following year at the NRCHA Futurity in Reno, he made the Limited Open Futurity Finals on Mister Kat, won the Limited Open Bridle on Chex Peppy Pistol and was Reserve Limited Open champion on Whiskey Starlight. In 2009 he was once again a World Champion in San Angelo, on Chex Peppy Pistol in the Limited Open Bridle and Reserve Champion on Double R Wrightway.

By Press Release