The 2024 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Affiliate Championships (EAC), with 292 competitors, concluded with the thrilling NRHA EA Open Championship with a purse of $10,000, which ran in parallel with the Donut NRHA EA Restricted Open Championship with a purse of $500. NRHA riders with a purse of $2 million, Bernard Fonck and Arnaud Girinon both scored a 225 and elected to share the championship. The EA Restricted Open Championship stayed in the Fonck family as 18-year-old Jody took the championship title with a purse of 220.5.
$10,000 added NRHA EAC Open
Towards the end of the draw, Arnaud Girinon of France and Honey First Gunny (Colonels Smoking Gun “Gunner” x ARC Honey Chick x Suprise Enterprise) flew into the arena to show the NRHA pattern No. 10. The duo left the arena ecstatic with a mighty 225 points and secured first place in the $10,000 NRHA EAC Open.
In second to last place, Fonck from Belgium and GP The Stud in Town (Hollywoodstinseltown x CP Surprise x The Stud Muffin) from the Golden Paint Ranch performed equally well and the two riders decided on the co-championship.
“I'm really ecstatic,” said Girinon. “For the first time since I started showing 'Gunny', I managed to get a great result after a series of mistakes in different finals we competed in. Today everything went well and I was hoping for this result without making any mistakes and he was very good. During our run I pushed him a little less and he did a little better and I think that's the key to his success. I always knew he could do plus-one maneuvers and I always looked for them and pushed him. This time I listened to him more and it worked out.”
On the decision to share the co-championship, Girinon said: “Bernard and I immediately agreed to share the championship because we are affable and respectful towards each other and, above all, we respect our horses. It was so balmy and it would have made no sense to bring them back into the arena for another run. They were both great and deserved to be at the top together.”
The 9-year-old NRHA $14 million sire Gunner is owned by Soc. Agr. Le Fattorie di Matilde and is a dual registered American Quarter Horse (AQHA) and American Paint Horse (APHA). This also gave him the opportunity to compete in the $500 APHA Chrome Cash Open, which he also won. “I'm ecstatic to have won this title once again because it's a great opportunity for both rider and horse, so thank you APHA. I look forward to more riders registering their Paint Horses,” Girinon said.
Fonck and GP The Stud in Town were determined to take first prize in their run at the Le Petit Far West arena and that is exactly what they did.
“I'm super ecstatic with the run tonight. Even though we got a penalty, I was ecstatic with his performance. I've been concentrating on our turns this week because last week [at the 100X European Classic] I noticed that the scorecards were not very good, so I tried to improve them here and I really felt like he was there for me today. Also in the circles I had loose reins and he was with me. He is definitely an open horse; he has a lot of sense and is very sensitive, so you have to ride him with a lot of feeling, otherwise there can be a problem.” Fonck explained that due to the heat conditions at the show, the two professionals decided not to race. “It is really balmy here and it just wouldn’t be fair to the horses. That is the most crucial thing for me. Arnaud is a great rider and I am ecstatic to share the co-championship with him and his horse. I am also a proud father today because my daughter [Jody] I just won the EAC Restricted Open, so it's a great feeling to be on the podium with her today.”
$500 added NRHA EAC Donut Restricted Open
Jody Fonck of Belgium rode Sabrina Adams' Arnels Spat Olena (Spat Olena x RS Arnels Feo Jac x RS Great Jac Feona) in the first section of the EAC Open classes. The youthful rider didn't hold back, guiding the 7-year-old stallion to an impressive score of 220.5. As the second section came to a close in the evening, Fonck's score still held and the duo took home the $500 NRHA EAC Donut Restricted Open Championship.
“I feel great today. I have a super sweet horse and a great, supportive owner, so that's been great,” she said. “I think the key is giving our horses confidence and love and riding them well. When we go in, they just do it for us. He gives me enough confidence too. I know when I'm competing and I need him, he's always there for me and has my back.”
