IHP - THE REINER'S BLOG

#CoverStory

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By Simona Diale • Graphics Chiara Milani • Photo Andrea Bonaga

#setyourgoals #befocoused #win In 2018, Bernard Fonck rode his three-time NRHA Open World Champion What A Wave to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ [WEG] in Tryon individual gold and team silver medals; he conquered his eighth NRHA Open World Championship, this time aboard Missedouttinseltown; he dominated the stage in Cremona where he slid to the IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA L4 Open Futurity Championship with Spook Sunburst and surpassed the two million dollar mark in earnings becoming the very first European to join the NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider club.

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#CoverStory

back the individual gold medal at the FEI WEG “ My goals were: bringing and winning the Italian Futurity ”

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his has been an amazing year,” said Fonck. “After spending eight great years at Manuel Bonzano’s 23 Quarter Horses in Italy, in July we moved back to Belgium. My goals were: bringing back the individual gold medal at the FEI WEG and winning the Italian Futurity. I knew that if I did win in Cremona I had a good change of surpassing the two-milliondollar mark; my wife, Ann, told me that I was crazy because there were a lot of good horses competing! What wasn’t in the plans was winning the NRHA Open World Championship.”

@ Dead or Alive

Bernard Fonck and What a Wave

#Goal1: Riding What A Wave, owned by Steve Vannietvelt and Gina De Pauw, Fonck slid to the highest step of the podium in Tryon in the individual competition.

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#Goal2: In Cremona, the Belgian rider treated the spectators to a superb moment of top sport aboard Spook Sunburst (Great Sun Burst x All About Spook) for owner Koen Symoens.

The duo performed to perfection with the fans in the stands cheering him on from the first to last maneuver. They closed with a 227.5 and the title. “I knew I had really good horses, and Spook Sunburst was one of them,” he said with a smile. “This athletic and talented gelding is very much like his sire; he’s very talented and extremely athletic, the only thing is that you need to let him ‘know’ that you’re the boss, but you cannot ‘tell’ him you are. Like his sire, he needs to do things with his heart — you have to ask him ‘please do this for me.’ You always need to meet in the middle and my wife reminded me during the whole week that was what I needed to do. I only rode him 20 minutes before the finals, and it worked!”

Bernard Fonck and Spook Sunburst

Europe’s only NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider, who placed all three of his mounts in the finals, also took come the coveted Sleipnir World Champion’s Ring sponsored by MS Diamonds TX. “I’ve always wanted to gift my wife with an important jewel and, thanks to MS Diamonds TX’s sponsorship, that dream has also come true,” he said.

#Goal3: Crossing the two million in earnings was a goal but Fonck did not think it was actually attainable. “I actually gave myself more time to make it,” he said. “By winning Europe’s biggest event ever, I made a big jump and am super excited.”

#Goal4: Winning his eighth NRHA Open World Championship – the only rider in NRHA history to do so — was not in the plans. “Missedouttinseltown [Hollywoodstinseltown x Miss Sliding Peppy] is a really fun horse,” said Bernard about the 6-year-old. “I was not supposed to go for the World title with him. At the Italian

Ann Fonck, Oded Fein and Bernard Fonck

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The most prestigious tribute to equestrian sport in Belgium Equi Gala is an initiative of equestrian icon, Ludo Philippaerts, famous entrepreneur Wim Maenhaut and President of the Belgian Equestrian Federation, Stephan Detry in collaboration with the Belgian Equestrian Federation and its Circle of Honour and Ambassadors Club.

The 2019 gala dinner was an excellent opportunity to have another look at the magnificent Belgian results and events of 2018 and for the first time ever, the Equistar awards were presented in five categories: Best Athlete, Best Team, Best Performance, Best Rookie, Best Horse.

The nominees of the EQUISTAR 2018 Performance of the Year award were Elisabeth Hardy (Endurance), Edouard Simonet (Driving) and Bernard Fonck (Reining).

In front of a full house, Fonck was presented with the Equistar 2018 Performance of the Year award following his 2018 achievements which included the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon individual gold and team silver – his presentation was followed by a standing ovation.

“I was speechless,” said Fonck. “I never thought I would win this award and get a standing ovation from 800 people. To win this incredible award in our ‘small’ reining discipline and feel the respect from those from all the other equestrian disciplines is amazing and I cannot thank our National Federation enough for giving us this opportunity. Thank you so much Steve Vannietvelt and Gina Vannietvelt De Pauw for everything and most of all, thank you What A Wave!

@ IHP

Equi Gala:

Derby we made the finals but on finals night, he was not doing well so we had to scratch him. I felt sorry for the owner [Golden Paint Ranch], so we decided to take him to the CS Classic, the NRHA European Derby and then to Mooslargue.

At that point we were in the lead in the rankings and that was when bringing home the title was a priority.”

Missedouttinseltown has been under Fonck’s guidance since his 2-year-old year and the pair have always been in the show pen together. “He’s a fun horse that always wants to play but he’s always honest and I like him,” Fonck said. ●

Bernard Fonck and Missedouttinseltown

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#2018ItalianFuturity

The ‘Big’ One! The high level of competition offered by the 700 horses that made their way to CremonaFiere was impressive and the Open Futurity finals closed the event with one of Europe’s most successful riders, Bernard Fonck, taking the lead in the Level (L)4 Open division with Spook Sunburst.

Yet another succesful Belgian reiner also made history: Cira Baeck.

Cira Baeck & NF Shining Whiz

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#L4OpenReserveChampions #MillionDollarRider

o-reserve L4 Open Futurity honors with a 226 score went to Cira Baeck and NF Shining Whiz (Colonels Shining Gun x Whowhizthispeppychic), a mare owned by David Perneel/Kim Windy and bred by David Perneel, and Guglielmo Fontana on Oak Smoking Face (Pale Face Dunnit x Genuine Benito Pap), a stallion owned by Giulia Amolaro and bred by Daniel Moro.

C

Baeck was thrilled with her performance aboard the pretty and talented mare who she had also posted the second-highest composite score on.

“She was truly special from day one all the way to co-reserve honors in the biggest European event ever,” said Baeck who also placed her second mount owned by Ruediger Diedenhofen, Sailorsarcofpride BB, in the finals. “What makes all this even more special is the fact that I made it over the million-dollar-mark and am now part of that very elite group of NRHA Million Dollar Riders. [NRHA Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame Inductee] Bill Horn has always been my mentor and idol, ever since my very first ‘reining days’ and, as a teenager, I remember thinking that one day I too would have a Million Dollar Rider portrait, like the one hanging in Bill and Kim Horn’s house in Florida.”

Baeck shared that many years later, after riding fantastic horses and going through moments filled with joy and tears, it has become reality and that she would not know where to start to thank everybody involved in this journey. “During all these years there have been so many people who were there to help me and support

me and so many owners that gave me the opportunity to do what I love more than anything else in the world: Live and work with my horses!” she said.

“I couldn’t have done it without the team behind me and a special thank you goes to my companion, Dany [Welter], my sister Susy, and my wonderful mother, Ellen.” ●

The €647.000-added IRHA/IRHBA/NRHA Futurity made history by becoming the fourth reining event in the world as far as purse offered is concerned. One hundred sponsors, five arenas and over 100,000 square meters — of which over half covered – made the Italian Futurity even more spectacular.

Guglielmo Fontana and Oak Smoking Face “This stallion is truly talented and I cannot thank the Amolaro family enough for their trust and for giving me the opportunity to ride him,” said Fontana who qualified two of his mounts in the finals. “The level of competition here was truly high and making it to the finals was tough so I am twice as proud of this result.”

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#2018ItalianFuturity

Lukas Czechowicz and CSG Copshot It took a 224 and a team all about Poland to win the €75.000added L3 Open Championship: Lukas Czechowicz — head trainer for Roleski Ranch, and his mount CSG Copshot (Colonels Shining Gun x Finest Copyshot), owned and bred

by Katarzyna Roleska, gave it all they had laying down an amazing and powerful run. “I truly gave it all I had and risked

it all tonight!” said Czechowicz. “Winning with a horse that is by a Roleski owned stallion, the great ‘Jo Jo,’ born at Roleski Ranch and who I broke and trained is the best thing that could ever happen. This horse is an amazing athlete with a great mind but if I had to define his best quality, it’s his heart!”

Roleska also took home the IRHBA incentive program Best Stallion Award trophy.

All About Slovenia Gal Grahlj and Walla Whiz A Dun It It was a great night for Gal Grahelj of Slovenia who conquered both the €20.000-added L2 and €10.000added L1 Open Championships with a 222.5 aboard Walla Whiz A Dun It, owned by Katja Zrimsek. The stallion by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Walla Walla Whiz out of The Bun Is Dun was bred by Susan Jones. “When we purchased this horse at the Markel Insurance Marketplace Sale in Oklahoma City and brought him back home, we knew he would be a good one. He surprised us all by turning out to be an incredible horse under every aspect,” said Grahelj who qualified his horse in all four levels. “I broke and trained him myself and he’s always been very easy and extremely talented. Showing here at the Italian Futurity was in the plans and he was great for me from the qualifiers until

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tonight. I showed for the first time at the 2013 NRHA Euro Futurity so, taking home two titles in Europe’s most prestigious event is a dream come true.”

#ReserveChampions

Italian Manuel Cortesi and Tinsel Whiz (NRHA Million Dollar Sire Hollywoodstinseltown x PC Sliderina Whiz), a stallion bred and owned by the Cortesi family facility, owned and bred by Az. Agr. Piero Cortesi, took the L3 Reserve Championship with a 223.

The L2 Open Reserve Championship with a 219 score went to Call Me Lil Josie (Lil Joe Cash x Call Me N Hollywood), a mare ridden by Tomas Martinek and owned by Wolfgang Hammer.

Tying for reserve honors in the L1 Open Futurity with a 215 score were Lena-Marie Maas and her ER Custom Bleach (Custom Cash Advance x Snappy Bleach), a mare bred by Elisabetta Raviola, and Michael Saupe riding Smart N Surprising (NRHA Five Million Dollar Sire Smart Spook x Just Miss Enterprise), a stallion bred by Nuith Linthorst and owned by Daniela Saupe.

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#2018ItalianFuturity

The Santa Hill Non Pro Futurity ANDREU NOGUé PIGUE CASHES IN RIDING A WHIZ N CASH ndreu Nogué Puig came, saw and conquered the €100,000-added Santa Hill Level (L)4, 3, 2, 1 Non Pro Futurity Championships riding his A Whiz N Cash. It was a first in the CremonaFiere arena for the 16-year-old rider from Spain and the pressure was on yet, he had to make it work he said. From Lloret de Mar, near Barcellona, Spain, in 2015 he started to ride reining horses under the guidance of Italian professional based in Spain, Eugenio

A

Andreu Nogué and A Whiz N Cash

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Latorre. In 2017 he was selected to be part of Team Spain who was taking part, for the very first time, in the FEI World Reining Championships for Juniors held in Givrins, Switzerland. While looking for a horse for him to show in Championships they met Italian Professional Mirko Midili who offered to loan him his horse, ARC Sparkle Magnetic.

The search for a horse to show in the Italian Futurity began soon after and this time Midili found him A Whiz N Cash (Custom Cash

“

Before going in the pen on Friday night I was as nervous as ever but, when the gate opened, the only thing I saw was the arena and I thought to myself ‘there’s was no way back’ and I did the best I could.

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Advance x A Whiz N Wranglers). Originally the Italian professional was supposed to show the flashy sorrel, but plans changed and the reins passed on to Nogué. “When I first started showing him it was a disaster and I could not even lope him,” he said. “He was strong but so sensitive; after all he is an open horse and Mirko always said that he was the best horse he had ever had. It was not easy for me to build up a nice feeling with him so I went back and forth from Spain to Italy to ride him in the weekends. Finally we built a great relationship which is the reason why we managed to do so well here. I now look forward to showing him at the NRHA European Futurity and the Italian Derby. In the mean time I would like to thank my family for believing in this dream and for giving me this opportunity.” ●

#NonPro Reserve Champions Taking the L4 and 3 Reserve Championship, a point behind, was Carlo Ambrosini and Jac N Lime (Tinsel Jac x ARC Yellow N Lime), a mare owned and bred by his family’s Ambrosini Quarter Horse ASD. With four horses left to go in the second section of the finals, Ambrosini performed to a Sabine Schmid and All Niter

Carlo Ambrosini & Jac N Lime

217.5, the top score: two horses later, Nogué claimed and held the highest score of the night. “I love this mare and she performed for me all the way,” said the 20-year-old Italian rider. “Of course I would have liked to have held on to

Mattia Cosio & White And Whizzy

the top score but Andreu, who is a great guy, made it to top honors and my hat goes off to him.”

Sabine Schmid and All Niter (Gunners Special Night x Dun Made By Chic), L2 Non Pro Reserve Championship with a 216.

The L1 Co-Reserve Championship, with a 215 score, went to Mattia Cosio riding his White And Whizzy (Spat Split And White x Rooster Roohide), a stallion bred by Letizia Selvi, and Francesco Pedretti with his Could You Be The One (One Gun x Star Dun Its), an American Paint Horse Association mare bred by Claudio Carraro.

Francesco Pedretti & Could You Be The One

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#EuropeanNRHAWorldChampions

Made in Europe!

Along with Bernard Fonck capturing his eighth NRHA Open World Championship, the Reserve Open, Intermediate Open, Non Pro and Reserve Non Pro World Champions were all ‘made in Europe.’

@ Andrea Bonaga

2018 NRHA Open Reserve World Champions 2018 Earnings: $17,598 | Morey Fisk and Chicks Smokingun (Gunner x Dun It By Chick), owned by Sabine Schmidt “He’s the real deal.”

• Morey Fisk

@ Tom Hautmann

2018 NRHA Non Pro World Champions 2018 Earnings: $14,443 | Gina Schumacher and Snip O Lution (Einsteins Revolution x Snip O Chex), owned by CS Ranch Management SA “Once I finally understood how to prepare him before showing, he gave me all he had.”

• Gina Schumacher

@ Andrea Bonaga

2018 NRHA Intermediate Open World Champions 2018 Earnings: $4,493 | Paolo Fabbri and Little Spook Wicked (Spooks Gotta Gun x Topsail Little Missy), owned by Biagio Di Marzio “Biagio purchased this horse with the intention of hauling for the World title. It was a long haul with smiles and tears, but certainly worth it. I would like to repeat this adventure again, but in a couple of years time!”

• Paolo Fabbri

@ Andrea Bonaga

2018 NRHA Non Pro Reserve World Champions 2018 Earnings: 12,367 | Dries Verschueren and Smart N Sparkin (Smart Chic Olena x Setting Off Sparks), owned by Golden Paint Ranch “It’s been a great year for us and I am very proud of the achievements with Smart N Sparking!”

• Dries Verschueren

#NrhaWorldChampions For final 2018 NRHA Top Ten Standings click here

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nrha.com

#2019Events

February 14 -17

June 17 - 22

July 26 - August 3

Cavalli a Roma

NRHA Derby

NRHA European Derby

February 22 - 23

June 23 - 29

Flanders Horse Expo

Germany Breeders Derby

August 20 - 25

March 13 - 17

July 2 - 6

September 4 - 8

Italian Team Championship + Maturity

Americana

DRHA Spring Slide March 30 - April 6

NRHA European Futurity April 19 - 21

ARHA Western Star Springtime Classic May 20 - 25

July 9 - 13

FEI World Championships Junior & Young Riders FEI European Championships Seniors

Italian Derby

July 16 - 20

June 7 - 10

NRHA European Affiliate Chamionship

LQH Reining Masters

Austrian RHA Futurity

September 25 - 29

NRHA + Belgium Futurity October 6 - 12

German Futurity November 7 -10

Great Championship December 2 -14

NRHA Futurity

IRHA Futurity #datestobedetermined

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#VeryImportantHorses

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“What a ride it's been! Congratulations and Happy 30th Birthday to the greatest horse I have bred and raised”- Carol Rose

the moment “FromI saw this

flashy palomino colt, I knew my little homebred was a standout

Bred by renowned horsewoman and breeder Carol Rose, Shining Spark is by NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Genuine Doc and out of NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Diamonds Sparkle, both owned by Carol.

Once Brent Loeske got him started as a 2-yearold, Carol says she knew he had the brains and ability to go along with his good looks. With Bob Loomis in the saddle, ‘Shiner’ placed sixth at the NRHA Futurity and tied for reserve honors at the Lazy E. The legendary NRHA Hall of Famer says that Shiner is one of the two greatest minded horses he has ever ridden.

Between the reins of reining icon Tim McQuay, Shining Spark slid to the AQHA Junior World Championship and then the 1994 NRHA Open Derby Championship. McQuay

”

claims that Shiner was a major player in his becoming NRHA’s leading rider at that time.

“Horses like him don’t come along very often,” he added.

As a 6-year-old, Shining Spark was diagnosed with chondritis, an upper airway condition that forced him into retirement and limited the number of mares he could breed, but what was lost in quantity was made up for in quantity.

“There is such a special bond between us because he has such a phenomenal mind,” said Carol Rose. “I’ve been asked a lot of times who my favorite all-time horse is and to this question there is only one answer: My answer is Shining Spark. What a ride it's been; congratulations and Happy 30th Birthday to the greatest horse I have ever bred and raised.” ●

@ CAROL ROSE IS AN AQHA, NCHA, NRCHA AND NRHA HALL OF FAMER AND THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2018 AQHA 50 YEAR LEGACY BREEDER OF AQHA HORSES

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#FashionTrends About Nicole In the summer of 1993, a 13 year old girl Alicia Nicole Stillwell, sat on the wooden pew of a small Baptist Church in Paluxy, a Texas town with a population less than 100, sketching out clothing to wear to horse shows and rodeos.

Creativity ran wild in this young girl’s mind with dreams of accomplishing big equestrian goals while wearing the most current handmade outfits, custom designed by she and her mother. At age 15, Nicole developed a friendship with Casey Deary that would eventually turn into the incredible loving bond of marriage on May 25, 2002.

The small beginnings for this young couple that lived in Robbie Robertson’s camping trailer on the driveway of that piece of ground in Weatherford, would develop faith, character, patience, integrity and gratitude for each blessing God would send their way.

On the Way to Style CC Way designs are inspired by a testimony, a story of faith and a western way of life.

Nicole and Casey Deary

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Capturing championships soon took Casey Deary across the United States and other countries to teach clinics, compete in more events and speak to the people.

Never-ending work behind the scenes, traveling to horse events, serving others, helping horses, cheering for Casey and raising children continuously transforms Nicole and adds fuel to the fires for this visionary business woman.

Years of blessings mixed with humble necessary sufferings have built Nicole Deary and CC Way. Through these incredible life experiences, Nicole’s mind set and creativity released new ideas for inspirational ladies clothing and began the new CC Way business. Casey listened, loved, approved and disapproved hundreds of Nicole’s daily assortment of ideas. Numerous nights in the winter and spring of 2018 Nicole woke up and journaled different visions and ideas that God was putting into her mind about CC Way, the Christian Cowgirl way of life.

On a hot summer day in May 2018, the season 1 CC Way clothing items were set out for all of the models to see and try on. Nicole then realized, the fabrics strung across a room come

to life when they are knit with purpose and a dream. A vision in her mind, a goal of helping others and making a statement with purpose on clothing. @ SEASON 1

WWW.CCWAYOFLIFE.COM

CCWAY

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