2011 NRHA European Affiliate Championship Finals & SVAG CS Classic Show

They did it last year... they did again this year. Bernard Fonck and Great Sun Burst, owned by Manuel Bonzano, slid to the highest step of the podium taking home the NRHA EA Open Championship as well as the $30,000 added SVAG CS Classic title.

Draw 6 aboard Sail On Top Whizard (Whizard Jac x Miss N Sis), owned by Mireille and Dany Cerato, the past NRHA Open World Champion had set the bar by posting a 225.5. When he came back ten horses later with the eight-year-old stallion by Einstein and out of Docs Sunburst between the reins, he bested his score by half a point. At the end of the day, he took home both the Championship and the Reserve Championship – with Sail On Top Whizard - in the EAC and in the NRHA Open. 

“These are two very special horses – you don’t come across these kind of horses very often - and I am very lucky to be able to show them. Placing them both at the top of the list again this year was just great” said Bernard who was also awarded an Audemars Piguet "Chronographe Royal Oak". This prestigious model is worth CHF 20.900,-, and CS Ranch would like to thank their partner Audemars Piguet for giving this great contribution to their 2011 SVAG CS Classic.


Fonck and Great Sun Burst, Courtesy Bonaga Photography

Winning both the NRHA EA Limited Non Pro and SVAG CS Classic Limited Non Pro class was Belgian rider Susy Baeck, coached by her sister, past NRHA Non Pro World Champion, NRHA professional Cira. Susy earned her European Championship by scoring a 215 with Eifel Gold Ranch Baeck’s, Gumpy Grumpy BB. ‘He is such a sweet, easy and honest horse to ride and I am so happy we achieved this result here”, said Susy about her seven-year-old gelding by Little Gump and out of Hollywood Baloues who Cira had won the NRHA EA Non Pro Championship on last year.

Susy Baeck and Gumpy Grumpy BB, Courtesy Bonaga Photography

Alissa Leloux from The Netherlands, riding her Little Smart Jameen and Gina Maria riding Gunners Enterprise tied for reserve honors in both the EAC Class and in the CS Classic class a half a point behind the winners. Alissa and her mount won the NRHA EA Youth 14-18 Championship yesterday. Gina Maria won the NRHA EA Youth Championship yesterday.

Following the last day of competition, The Netherlands led the Nations standings in the NRHA EAC with a total of 292 points. They earned a paycheck of $500 from the NRHA. The Dutch Reining Horse Association will use the money for a Rookie Day Event in The Netherlands.

The CS Ranch would like to thank the main sponsor of the event SVAG (Schwiezer Vermogensberatung) and corporate partners Banque Baring Brothers, Audemars Piguet, Navyboot, E.I.Sturdza and Nimbus for their support. A special thankyou to the NRHA corporate partners: Bob’s Custom Saddles, John Deere; Kiser Arena Specialists; Montana Silversmiths; Rios of Mercedes / Anderson Bean Boot Company; SmartPak.

Check out the CS Ranch website for at www.cs-ranch.eu