Media updates

FEI World Reining Masters Final

Media updates
26 September 2005 Author: webmaster
Craig Schmersal thrills the crow; Jeannette Krahenbuhl does it again! 

The much awaited for second $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Finals presented by the Arcese Group and the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation saw a full house and was truly a tribute to the sport of Reining.

Craig Schmersal, riding Tidal Wave Jac, received a standing ovation from the super enthusiastic crowd who, on Saturday night in Manerbio, Italy, at the beautiful Palasturla Facility, had a chance of assisting to one of the most exciting runs in the history of the sport. Schmersal performed NRHA pattern number five to perfection and the score posted was a 231.5 which put him and the powerful nine-year-old bay stallion by Hollywood Macho Jac and out of Tidal Mist Cody on the highest step of the podium in the $75,000 Open Division. “The pressure was on and the crowd was incredible but Tidal Wave Jac just gave all he had and this is better than anything I had ever hoped for!”, said Schmersal following the competition. The horse and rider combination were part of gold medal winning Team USA at the 2002 World Equestrian Games held in Jerez de La Frontera, Spain and until the qualifier held during the Fiesta In The Park, Lexington, KY, had not been shown as he was in the breeding barn at Mike McEntire’s Reining Horses. “Mike did a great job in getting him ready”, added Schmersal.

The silver medal went to the All Time money earner in the National Reining Horse Association, Tim McQuay. Riding Mister Montana Nic, owned by the Montana Nic Syndicate, McQuay performed to an audience thrilled to be able to assist live to the leggendary NRHA Million Dollar Rider’s run. The rider who boasts over $1.9 to his credit did not let his fans down and closed his run with a score of 224. “I am so honoured to have been able to represent USA in this competition”, said McQuay. “I cannot thank Craig and Ginger enough for giving me the opportunity to show Mister Montana Nic here and my thanks goes to all the public here and to all those who did their best to make our stay as easy as possible”. Mister Montana Nic is a seven-year-old stallion by Reminic and out of Molly Montana with over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.

Both Tidal Wave Jac and Mister Montana Nic were shipped from the U.S. to Italy especially to compete in the FEI finals.

Steffen Breug of Germany riding Mercury Starlight, a seven-year-old stallion by Grays Starlight and out of Dox Lady Amhurst earned the bronze after scoring a 223. “Being on the podium along with these two legendary riders is a win within the win”, said a smiling Stephen who is no stranger to international competition – he infact competed in the 2001 USET Festival of Champions and was part of the German team both in European Crios, at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Spain and in the 2004 FEI World Reining Masters finals in Oklahoma City.

In the $25,000 Restricted Division Jeannette Krahenbuhl and Arc Golden Boy (Surprise Enterprise x Arc Topsail Lady) repeated their feat and once again earned the gold medal in the prestigious FEI competition. With a score of 221.5 the talented Swiss rider rode her nine-year-old gelding to top honours. “Being able to repeat what we did in Oklahoma City last year was simply incredible and once again I have to thank Martin Larcombe, my mentor and friend, for all the help”, said Jeannette. “Ponino (Arc Golden Boy) once again proved to be a super solid horse and he now he will have a well deserved rest even though we are already thinking about the 2006 World Equestrian Games!”.

With a half point difference, Bernard Fonk of Belgium claimed the silver medal riding One Fine Remedy owned by François Verschueren. The 2003 NRHA European Affiliate Rookie Champion has gone a long way in his career and the competition in Manerbio aboard the six-year-old stallion by Footworks Finest and out of Docs Bar Remedy will truly be a highlight to add to his his short yet intense show record.

Proving that Reining is truly an international sport was the fact that along with USA, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland on the podium was also Brazil. Riding for their country were infact Jango Salgado and Gizmo Whiz who both crossed the Ocean in order to take part in the competition. With the seven-year-old stallion by Topsail Whiz and out of Katie Jo Fritz owned by Azvedo-Bezerra, the talented rider who last year won the silver medal in the Restricted Division of the first edition of the FEI World Reining Masters final, scored a 220.5 which was enough to earn them the bronze medal. “Being able to represent my country once again in the World Reining Masters is a great opportunity and everybody here did their best to make things work for us. Gizmo Whiz did a wonderful job and I am very proud of the bronze medal earned here in Italy”.

“Tonight the crowd cheered for the best horse and rider, they cheered for the sport of Reining”, said the Chairman of the FEI Reining Committee, Frank Costantini. “This was truly another step taken towards the road that leads to London 2012”.

The second edition of the $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Series presented by the Arcese Group and the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE) was an event organized in collaboration with the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA), the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

Media Contact: Simona Diale
Tel:             +39 0143 849 914       Fax: +39 0143 849 139 Cell:             +39 340 535 46 29       Email: simonadiale@yahoo.com

For information and complete results: www.worldreiningmaster.com
Official website: www.euroreining.com

 

X