$120,000 Added High Class Reining: Grischa Ludwig and Lil Smokeing Gun Win Open Level 4 Championship

There was World class reining in Weikersdorf over the weekend: scoring a 226.5, Grischa Ludwig and Roy de Bruin‘s Lil Smokeing (Smart Chic Olena x Playguns Smokin) won the NRHA High Class Reining Maturity Champion Open Level 4 with Ann Fonck aboard Rosanne Sternberg’s Ebony Spook (Smart Spook x Ebony Whiz) placing second (224.5). As the third last rider in a field of 23 finalists, the German top trainer who was fourth at the 2014 WEG, risked everything – and it worked perfectly!

Kelly Zweifel aboard Dunnit Like A Master (Master Snapper x Just Another Dunnit, owner Impresa Agricola Cuoghi) and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Rudi Kronsteiner aboard Dr Lee Hook (Ray Gay Quixote x Chicadual Sha, owner Glis Ranch), who had taken the lead after the go round, followed. Both had wonderful runs, but it was not enouth. Kelly scored a 224 placing third, Rudi Kronsteiner with a 223.5 placed fourth – together with Cira Baeck aboard Whizasunnysailor BB (owner. Rüdiger Diedenhofen).

Grischa Ludwig, who had three horses in the final, has had Lil Smokeing Gun for one a half years now.

“We made it to the finals in several major events, but so far the horse could not show his real talent as he has got still something of a baby [personality],” Ludwig says. “But I always knew he could be a winner. Today, his time was there. He was great in the spins and circles, and I knew that he would be perfect in the stops. He did stop like never before. Although I had a lot of pressure, as I had to give up with my first two horses. With the first, I had five spins, and my second horse started quite well, but slipped. So I knew I had to give everything – and Lil Smokeing Gun did it.“

“It’s really super at this show. Everybody is kind and very helpful. The HC-Reining Team is simply great – you couldn’t do it better! With a show like this, Reining can grow!”

Manuel Cortesi wins Intermediate Open after run off

The Intermediate Open Maturity final ended with a tie for first place between Manuel Cortesi aboard Ultra Spook (owner- Kate Szumanska) and Pierluigi Chioldo aboard Saturday Pepper (Saturday Night Custom x Miss Snapper Lena, owner Ambrosini Quarter Horses), who scored a  219.5. In the following run off, Cortesi marked a 220 winning the title. Pierluigi Chioldo scored a 213.5 becoming Reserve Champion. The 5-year-old AQHA mare Ultra Spookin (Smart Spook x Ultra Jay) and Saturday Night Pepper had been second after the go round.

Julia Schumacher dominates  Level 1

Julia Schumacher’s winning the Level 1 Open Maturity completed the huge success of Ludwig Quarter Horses. Grischa’s co-trainer and Patriotic Revolution (Einsteins Revolution x Todds Stylish Lea, owner Susanne De Smit) scored a 216. Morgan Bohu and the 9-year-old OK Spook placed second  (214).

Julia Schumacher had already taken the lead after the go round with Smokys Olena. With Patriotic Revolution, she won the Belgian Derby Level 1 Open.

Ancillary Action: Ewald Rifeser wins Non Pro Stakes L4

Scoring a 213.5, Ewald Rifeser and Petra Burger’s Last One Command won the Non Pro Stakes Level 4. Three riders tied for second place honors: NRHA World Champion Non Pro Tina Künstner-Mantl aboard Chic Resolve, Ewald Rifeser with Smart And Walla and Herbert Neuherz aboard Revolution Reloaded.

Intermediate Non Pro and Level 1 NP Stakes Champion was Ann-Kathrin Wendel aboard Starlight Mercedes (212) with Dr. Daniela Ratschew aboard Whiz Smart Image placing second in the Int. Non Pro and Herbert Neuherz and Revolution Reloaded in the L1..

The Intermediate Open was won by Chuck Klipfel aboard Golden Jac The Boss, who scored a 142.5, with  Susanne Schnell and Wolfgang Neuendorff’s Dunits Finest Stop placing second (142).

The  Ltd. Open went to Karol Bryla and A Diamond Enterprise (143), followed by Bogdan Czarnik and Final Smokin Gun (140).

Joao Marcos’ (Cardinal Reining Horses) comment to the show: “The High Class Reining in Weikersdorf is one of the best shows I´ve ever been in the world. Everything is working easy and perfect, and everybody is really happy here. It’s the second time for me in Austria – the first time I was at Sabine and Chuck’s place. I like to come here all the time. The organizers are doing a wonderful job here. Everything  is simply perfect. I’m feeling really welcome here. I think the High Class Reining needs no difference for next year. Finally, I want to thank Elli and Jörg and also Sabine and Chuck for their great show. It´s nice, I enjoy it, and I like it here. You can be sure that I’ll be back!“

More information www.hc-reining.com