Nearly 50 horse and
rider combinations from 5 Continents competed in the first Federation
Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Reining Championship in Manerbio,
Italy today. The competition was intense in the Palasturla facility
as international reiners showed the best of their talents to a
rocking house. According to unofficial results, Team Italy took
top honors in the team competition with a total score of 888 points,
with Team U.S.A. and Team Germany right behind with 882.5 points
and 871.5 points respectively.
Team Italy earns $22,400*
for their efforts, in addition to FEI Gold Medals. Team U.S.A.
takes home FEI Silver Medals and $16,100*. Bronze Medalists, Team
Germany, will receive the FEI Medals and $12,600*. Team Germany’s
Sylvia Rzepka rode Zip Nic Partners’ Doctor Zip Nic to the highest
score of the day with a 227.5.
Other countries represented include: Austria, Australia, Belgium,
Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Great Britain,
Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia and The Netherlands.
The $30,000 individual final is scheduled for Sunday, September
14. The top 20 riders from today’s team competition will go head-to-head
in the clean-slate final.
Sixteen
countries were represented in the World Reining Championship and
in order to determine who would step on the podium for the bronze
medal, reining enthusiasts had to wait for the last German horse
and rider combination, Daniel Klein and Dealin Gin owned by the
Dealin Gin Syndicate, to show – three horses before the end of
the competition.
Team Italy coach, Mario Sbrana, was quick to praise the Italian
team members Davide Brighenti, Dario Carmignani, Martin Gamper
and Gennaro Lendi for their win. “Getting on the first step of
the podium was fantastic”, said Mario. “This is a great group
of horses and riders and the work they have been doing from the
beginning of the year towards this world championship has paid
off. They gave all they had and they truly deserved the win”.
Brighenti was riding Dualin For Me owned by Mancone QH and scored
a 224; Dario Carmignani was seen riding Arc Magic Entprise owned
by Pietro DeAngelis and scored a 222; Marin Gamper riding Claudio
Risso’s RS Oregon N Jac scored a 221.5 and Gennaro Lendi riding
his Playing It Out scored a 220.5.
Team U.S.A was represented by Pete Kyle riding A Bueno Poco Dunit
owned by Sandra Holt (222); Craig Schmersal riding Mr Dual Rey
owned by Casey Holly (221); Jordan Larson riding Lena Gallo (220.5)
and Tom McCutcheon riding Ruf Hearted Jac owned by Sarah Willeman
(219). “We are very honored to have been able to represent our
Country”, said Jeff Petska – U.S. Chef d’Equipe. “We had a strong
group of horses and great riders for U.S.A. and are hats go off
to the Italians, they did a great job”.
It was German Sylvia Rzepka aboard Doctor Zip Nic owned by the
Zip Nic Partners who marked the highest score of the day, a 227.5,
for her Team. Daniel Klein riding Dealin Gin owned by the Dealin
Gin Syndicate scored a 219.5, Emanuel Ernst riding Legends Diamond
Do owned by Paul Kratschmer scored a 215.5 and Oliver Stein riding
Smart Little Lenic scored a 209.
Competitors had to score a 216 or higher to make the Individual
Competition which will be held on Sunday 14th at 2pm where twenty
horse and rider combinations will be vying for the FEI medals.
The very first FEI World Reining Championship is organized by
the Italian Reining Horse Association and is supported by the
Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE).
