Once again Bernard Fonck writes history

24/05/2026 – In front of a full house the NRHA European Open Futurity finals for 4-year-old horses have been concluded yesterday in Cremona (ITA).
With 4 entries to go in the € 358.974 added Level 4 division Bernard Fonck (BEL) entered the arena aboard DG Andy Crush [PS Mega Shine Chic] owned by Diego dalla Gassa [ITA]. The score to beat was a 227,0 posted by Sebastiano Valtorta (ITA) with In Like Flinstone [In Like Flin] owned by Pierguiseppe Guidetti (ITA) between the reins. The run-in and backup performed by Fonck did not impress yet, but the impression changed with 2 sets of explosive spins followed by 2 sets of very attractive circles. The tension was palpable. Fonck continued his performance with more than average rollbacks and sliding stop. Immediately upon finishing the pattern, even before the score had been announced, Fonck expressed a powerful discharge; visibly emotional and extremely happy. And that was justified. By posting a score 230,0 Fonck not only claimed the L4 Open Futurity Champion title. With the guaranteed paycheck of $ 100.000 [€ 85.470] that came along with the title Fonck becomes the very first European NRHA 3 Million Dollar Rider. Once again Fonck writes history.
The Level 4 Open Reserve Champion title, as well as the € 131.623 added Level 3 Open Futurity Champion title went to In Like Flinstone and Valtorta. The Level 3 Open Reserve ridden by Luca Picollo (IT) posting a 223,0.
Posting a 220,0 Jayden Feichter (FR) piloted Katie Blues [Colonels Shining Gun] bred by and owned by Edith Zenouda (FR) to the € 77.777 added Level 2 Open Futurity Champion title. Matteo Cuniglio (ITA) piloted Voodoo Gotta Whiz [Spooks Gotta Whiz] owned by Rosanne Sternberg (GBR) to the Level 2 Open Reserve Champion title posting a 219,5.
The € 29.914 added Level 1 finals ended in a 3-way tie for the co-Champion title. Both Danilo Ruscetta (ITA) with KB Kiss Me Again [Gunner Dun It Again] owned by Lighthill Ranch (ITA), Georg Engelhardt (GER) with Coffee And Gun TB [Gunners Special Nite] owned by Luisa Fieting (GER) and Fabienne Sleiger (GER) with Arnelswallawhizcrome [Walla Whiz Crome] owned by Sabrina Adam (GER) posted a 212,5.
Visit https://nrhaeuropeanfuturity.com/ for the complete results.

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Photo: DG Andy Crush and Bernard Fonck. Photo: Bonaga Communication, ITA