44,000+ Attended Europe’s Premier Western Riding Event, the 2013 Americana in Augsburg
What a sensational success:
- 44,000 visitors
- more than 280 exhibitors
- world class sport with riders from 19 countries
- for the first time, Americana hosted FEI European Reining Championship
- 2015 Americana: September 2 to 6, 2015
Simply unique – this is Americana’s slogan, and the 2013 Americana proved this again. Even after 27 years, Americana is still setting records. More than 44,000 fans visited Europe’s premier western riding event to watch high class western riding shows including the FEI European Reining Championship. Visitors came from as far as Australia and Augsburg. This also meant great business opportunities for the 281 exhibitors, most of whom said they had never had so many buyers before.
Americana also set records with their entertainment program, which included a bigger Western Town with the legendary Red Grizzly Saloon, Americana-Forum and Parelli-Ring, the new Extreme Trail-Parcours in the open air area and a new show farrier’s place. From the first day on, Americana received more visitors than ever before. On Saturday, it was hard walking through the exhibition aisles crowded with people.
But Americana would be nothing without its staff of enthusiastic and horse-loving people. Many of them have been in the crew for many years, some of them for more than 20 years even. After the huge success of 2013, show management has already got new ideas for the 2015 edition, which is scheduled for September 2 until 6, 2015.
Image courtesy of 2013 Americana press department
Dominik Reminder & GR JFB Boy win Americana Bronze Trophy Open, Rudi Kronsteiner & Dr. Lee Hook Reserve
With a 226, Dominik Reminder (GER) and his GR JFB Boy claimed the prestigious Americana Bronze Trophy Open in a field of 12 finalists. Rudi Kronsteiner (AUT) and Dr Lee Hook earned Reserve Championship honors with only half a point behind (225.5). Winning this trophy is another big step towards 25-year-old Dominik Reminder’s goal of becoming NRHA World Champion Open.
Dominik, who started his career with this 9-year-old stallion by Solanoswarlee Boy out of JFB Glo by becoming NRHA Breeders Derby Champion Non Pro, is second in NRHA Open ranking at the moment.
“It is simply unbelievable – I’m so happy,” he said. “Americana is something very special, and my horse was simply fantastic.“
GR JFB Boy was bred by Georg Ripper and trained by Alex Ripper, who rode him to the 2007 NRHA Breeders Futurity Co-Reserve Champion title. Dominik bought him shortly before the Futurity and has trained him since then. Their achievements include: 2008 French Futurity Level 2 Open Champion, 2010 IRHA Derby Level 3 Non Pro Champion and 2012 NRHA European Derby Champions Level 3 and 2 Non Pro.
Rudi Kronsteiner and flashy Dr Lee Hook had been leading after the go-round and did even better in the final presenting a technically perfect smooth ride on a loose rein. The 6-year-old stallion (Ray Gay Quixote x Chicadual Sha) was bred and is owned by Glis Ranch. Rudi trained the horse. With Jeannette Krähenbühl in the saddle, he was 2012 NRHA European Futurity Open Level 2 Champion and 2013 NRHA Breeders Derby Limited Open Champion. Rudi Kronsteiner won the French Futurity and the Polish Derby with him.
“Dr Lee Hook is an exceptional horse, and he was great again today as always,“ said Rudi Kronsteiner. “He would have deserved to win, but I’m also happy for Dominik.”
Manuel Bonzano & Great Sun Burst claim Non Pro Bronze Trophy
They had been the best of the go-round, and they did even better in the final: scoring a 219.5, Manuel Bonzano (ITA) and his 9-year-old stallion Great Sun Burst won the Americana Bronze Trophy Non Pro with Edoardo Bernadelli aboard Arc Spark It Up placing second (217). Alex Nestelberger (AUT) aboard Shining Step and Tina Künstner (AUT) aboard Ruf And Lucky tied for third place scoring a 215.5. NRHA World Champion Non Pro Manuel Bonzano’s achievements include: NRHA Austrian Futurity Non Pro Champion, Non Pro Champion at the 23 Classic and the CS Classic as well as NRHA Breeders Futurity Champion Non Pro and NRHA European Champion Non Pro. His Great Sunburst (Great Resolve x Docs Sun Burst) was a two time NRHA World Champion Open as well as a NRHA European Affiliate Champion Open with Bernard Fonck in the saddle. His NRHA LTE exceed $300,000.
Denis Pini & Playlite win ECHA European Cutting Champion Open
This Americana was indeed Denis Pini’s event. First, the Italian trainer won the 2013 Masters Cutting and also placed second and third. Then, he dominated the ECHA European Championship go-round, and in the end he also won the final – all of this aboard Playlite (by CD Lights out of a Playgun-mare), a gelding owned by Dabide Tresoldi. The two scored a 146.
“I cannot believe it, this really is my Americana,” said Denis Pini happily. With Playlite, Pini won the Super Stakes in Italy twice as well as the European Championship in Reggio Emilia and the Maturity. Also, they were third in the NCHA World Series of Cutting Mercuria Open at the EquitaLyon 2012. Gianluca Munarini placed second aboard This Cats Sultan, a 4-year old AQHA gelding owned by Jan Willem Bembom) scoring a 145. As the third rider, the Italian trainer had shown a brilliant run taking the lead in this final for a long time.
“That’s how it is in cutting,” Gianluca commented. “We were ready, but in the end it was not enough this time. But I’m happy for Denis.”
Last Americana’s champion Markus Schöpfer took bronze this time aboard Needy Times scoring a 144 as the first rider. Sheri Mason aboard Smartys Real Hope and Gianluca Munarini aboard Spooks Smokin Cat tied for fourth place scoring a 143.
Diana Jisova and Meradas Talkin Money claim ECHA European Cutting Championship Non Pro
After winning the Masters Cutting Non Pro for the second time, 19-year-old Diana Jisova (CZE) and her 9-year-old American Quarter Horse mare Meradas Talkin Money claimed the ECHA European Cutting Champion title Non Pro. The two had been leading after the go-round (score 147), and had a brilliant run in the final as well scoring a 146.
“I’m so happy,” Diana said afterwards. “I would never have believed we could make it!” Diana trains her mare ( Meradas Money Talks x Lucky By Light by Grays Starlight) herself.
“This makes this champion title even more precious,” she said smiling. Malte Döring (GER) and Smooth Cats Style (owner Jurgen Döring) placed second scoring a 145, with Lars Christiansen (DEN) and Pretty Pink Stuff following on third place (142).
Image courtesy of 2013 Americana press department
Francesca Baron earns ERCHA Reined Cow Horse Futurity Open Championship for Italy
The ERCHA Reined Cow Horse Futurity Open final ended with a brilliant cow work of Francesca Baron aboard Dual N Pepto (Peptoboonsmal x Dual N At Noon) scoring a 146. This added to a total of 430 points which was the Futurity Open Champion title – actually the first for a lady Reined Cow Horse rider ever at Americana. The two had been leading after the go-rounds and even did better in the final. The Reserve Champion title was claimed by Samuele Poli aboard Lights On Mate, who had a 137 in the cow work and a 421 in total. Markus Schöpfer and Dry Serenade placed third scoring a total of 417.5. Markus also managed to ride Smart Peptos on fourth place
ERCHA Reined Cow Horse Futurity Non Pro Champion: Sabine Brasche & Peptomoonsmal
The Cow Work final brought the decision in the ERCHA Reined Cow Horse Futurity Non Pro. 2013 Non Pro Champion is Sabine Brasche (GER) aboard her Peptomoonsmal, who scored a total of 398.5 points. Michele Masi and Thaz A Twist had bad luck in the cow work scoring a 120, which added to a total score of 397 which was the Reserve Championship in this Futurity. Thaz A Twist (Smartaz x Snap And Twist) already won the ERCHA Limited Non Pro Futurity at this Americana in the saddle. Joschka Werdermann and his Criollo De Baviera Cimarron placed third (389.5).
2013 FEI European Championship Reining:
Alex Ripper claims Individual Gold for Germany, Cira Baeck Silver
More than 3,000 visitors watched an exciting FEI European Championship final at Americana in Augsburg. The top 20 of the team competition had made it to the individual final, which was won by Alexander Ripper aboard his stallion Wild At the Bar. The two showed a brilliant run scoring a 225, which meant individual gold for Germany. Cira Baeck (BEL) and Colonels Shining Gun earned silver with only half a point behind (224,5). Bronze went to Grischa Ludwig (GER) who scored a 223 aboard Custom Del Cielo.
“This is the best moment of my life,” said Alexander Ripper happily. “I knew that my horse could do it. He is strong in every maneuver and a real showhorse.“
Cira Baeck commented, “Of course I would have preferred gold, but I’m happy anyway. I’ve got this wonderful horse a month ago only, and he was fantastic. We will be a great team!”
Grischa was tired, but very happy. “I’m so glad about bronze – but I would have been last anyway, as Custom Del Cielo has been better than ever. This horse gave all he had for me today.”
Pierlugi Fabbri and Rooster Nic placed fourth (221). Volker Schmitt and Smokin Mifilena placed fith (219,5) with Bernard Fonck aboard Roosters Spurs (219), Rudi Kronsteiner aboard Whizoom (217) and Massimiliano Ruggeri aboard Spat Split And White (216,5) following. Josh Collins and Sparkin Tinsel placed ninth (216) , Tina Künstner-Mantl and Heza Sure Whiz tenth (214).
