2023 WORLD YOUTH REINING CUP - THE RECAP

By Simona Diale | Photos by Bonaga Communication

2023 NRHA/RHF/IRHA World Youth Reining Cup: Brazil’s Annas Rides To Top Honors

With a week filled with activity, the spirit that filled the air was camaraderie, joy and pride in being part of the international competition, and much love for the horses they paired up with. Once it was time to hit the arena vying for the top spots, the riders gave it all they had with the enthusiastic public and family members cheering them on. Once the last combination left the arena, Brazil’s Astrid Annas riding Jerry Show Step, owned and volunteered by Ambrosini Quarter Horses, clinched the World title after performing to a 215 score. “I liked the show a lot and it was so nice to meet people from so many different countries,” she said hot off her win. “I really like the diversity here. So many different styles of riding — which is a good learning opportunity — and also lots of different vendors around.” Annas went on to credit her horse AKA “Jerry.” “I really like him, he is a great stopper and a good mover, and so enjoyed riding him.” 2023

An amazing group of youth riders from around the world representing 23 countries made their way to Cremona, Italy, to show for their nation’s flag in the NRHA/RHF/IRHA World Youth Reining Cup. The event, held during the NRHA European Futurity, took center stage on Saturday morning in CremonaFiere and the great team spirit between the young riders from five continents shined through.

With a 213 score, second place honors went to Italy’s Rebecca Folcia who rode Andrea Ghizzoni’s Shine Chic Bonita. Folcia has represented her country multiple times in FEI Team and Individual competition and also made her way to Brazil last year to compete in the WYRC where she also took reserve honors. “I love showing in international competition and riding for my country,” said the young rider. “I enjoy meeting riders who share my same passion and discovering different cultures. This event was great and I am so thankful to all those that put it together and to the owners that donated their horses. My horse was fantastic and she truly gave me her heart. A special thank you goes to my parents for always supporting me and to my trainer, Angelo Benedusi.”

NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee Eleuterio Arcese has always paid particular attention to youth riders. Lily Gungl of Slovenia and Natakamon Baibua Sonamai of Thailand, the youngest riders, both 10 years old, were given the opportunity to show in the Short Stirrup division but decided they wanted to show one-handed with everyone else! Mr. Arcese let them know how proud of them he was.

www.internationalhorsepress.com

Rebecca Folcia & Shine Chic Bonita

Third place belonged to yet another continent: Africa. Representing the Republic of South Africa, Burlyn Breedt rode Matese Ranch’s Shine Whiz Shine Mr to a 210 score. “She is such an incredible little mare and I fell in love with her immediately. We formed a beautiful partnership and it was so hard to say goodbye,” said Breedt about Little Shine. “This has been a wonderful experience and a huge thank you to all that made this possible both at home and here.” Breedt’s next stop will be the AQHA Youth World Cup followed by the Oceania Affiliate Championship.

Bringing the world together

The idea of bringing worldwide youth together first came to life in 2019 when NRHA and RHF Board Member Joao Marcos, a strong supporter of globalization and youth promotion, envisioned the Global Youth Reining Cup, an event that became reality thanks to the support of NRHA, RHF and IRHA, and was held in Cremona. Last year Marcos, in collaboration with ANCR Brazil, offered the successful World Youth Reining Cup in Avaré, Brazil. The novelty was that all riders would draw horses generously loaned by owners, thus putting all the competitors on the same playing field. The same happened in Italy where 32 horses were volunteered and over $50,000 was raised to fund the event from sponsors around the world.

“This has been an event that I envisioned and am thrilled it has become a reality. It’s been a wonderful experience since the beginning and it is a great honor to be part of it,” said Marcos. “It has truly been a joint effort with NRHA, IRHA, and RHF and I cannot thank the riders, parents, horse owners, and International Horse Press enough for putting this together. We now look forward to bringing the event back to Brazil next year.” Just as proud and enthused was Eleuterio Arcese, IRHA president. “It is an honor to have been able to host this amazing competition in Italy,” he said. “I would like to thank all those involved and I am extremely proud of these young riders who proved to be great ambassadors for our sport.”

Burlyn Breedt & Shine Whiz Shine MR

LYDIA CAPKOVA

EEMIL REINO ARTTURI POROLA

LOUISE HOPQUIN

ERICA DAVIES

LYLY GUNGL

HALEY TURNER

ALLY LORRAINE BOGIE

DIEGO MARQUEZ

LUNA SERENA FAVERAIS ALVARADO

SZONJA PANKOTAI

ANTONINA ZARNAWSKA

THEA KARASOVA

NATAKAMON BAIBUA SONAMAI

PINACHO ESCOLANO

THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIP AVENUES THROUGH NRHYA:

RHF Scholarships — These academic/need-based scholarships are open to high school seniors with at least 24 months of NRHyA membership. The top scholarships are $5,000 each. If selected as a high school senior, a recipient may reapply with the potential to earn two total awards

Affiliate Regional Scholarships — Compete in your Affiliate Regional Championship’s (ARC) Youth Team Tournament Day and submit an application each year

Varsity Reining Club — Enroll in the Varsity Reining Club and earn points for activities you likely are already doing, such as academics, extracurricular and community service. Top point earners in two age divisions qualify for scholarships

CINCH Public Speaking Contest — NRHyA offers $500 awards in six different categories. Get signed up and grow your public speaking experience!

Membership Has Many REWARDS

NRHyA scholarships are funded through the Reining Horse Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. Donors are invited to support these programs in a myriad of ways, including individual donations, memorials/honorariums and special fundraisers.

For scholarship information, contact youth@nrha.com

To donate, visit reiningfoundation.com/donate or email rhf@nrha.com

HORSE Ginger Rooster HORSE OWNER Monsereno Horses

HORSE Sparkling Mike Chex HORSE OWNER Lenka Lukackova

HORSE Custom Angelina HORSE OWNER Laura Quaglia

HORSE Jerry Show Step HORSE OWNER Ambrosini Quarter Horses

Thea Karasova

Eemil Porola

HORSE Dance Little Einsteein HORSE OWNER Quarter Dream

Oskar Krog Jensen

Louise Hopquin

HORSE MD Salvatus Whiz HORSE OWNER Dino Micheletto

HORSE Gunner Dunnit HORSE OWNER Fabio Cerantola

HORSE Spark N Colonette HORSE OWNER Jana Mokovà

HORSE PL Trashya Sunrise HORSE OWNER Soc. Agr. Pietracavalla

HORSE Call Me Miss Little Uno HORSE OWNER Matteo David

HORSE RM Secrert Gun Rooster HORSE OWNER Grey Stone Ranch HORSE RS Cuba Libra Jac HORSE OWNER Alice Marinoni

Rebecca Folcia

Diego Marquez

Antonina Zarnawska

Lydia Capkova

HORSE Starlights Revy BB HORSE OWNER Stephanie Blessing

HORSE Darg Capitain Calz HORSE OWNER Silvia Biancalani

HORSE Shine Chic Bonita HORSE OWNER Andrea Ghizzoni

HORSE AM Kill Joy HORSE OWNER Massimo Solbiati

HORSE Whiz Me Pep

Lyly Gungl

HORSE OWNER

Misel Gungl

Adrian Pinacho Escolano

HORSE Dun Livet Surprise

HORSE OWNER

Francesco Siciliano

Burlyn Breedt

HORSE Shine Whiz Shine MR

HORSE OWNER

Matese Ranch

HORSE Zan Parr Simply

Oliver Svensson

HORSE OWNER

Franco Battaglia

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Sophia Staub

Haley Turner

HORSE

Looking forward to the 2024 World Youth Reining Cup on August 3-11 in Avaré, Brazil!

HORSE Howdy Enterprise HORSE OWNER Soc. Agr. Pietracavalla

Natakamon Baibua Sonamai

HORSE Bailey Breathless HORSE OWNER Bruno Martinz

HH Genuine Oscar HORSE OWNER David Zdrahal