Bernard Fonck and Arnaud Girinon crowned Co-Champions of NRHA European Affiliate Open Championship

The 2024 edition of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Affiliate Championships (EAC) counting 292 entries closed with the exciting $10,000-Added NRHA EA Open Championship run concurrently with the $500-Added Donut NRHA EA Limited Open Championship. NRHA $2 Million Rider Bernard Fonck and Arnaud Girinon both scored a 225 and opted to share the Championship. The EA Limited Open Championship remained in the Fonck family as 18-year-old Jody rode to a 220.5 for the championship.

$10,000 Added NRHA EAC Open

Late in the draw Arnaud Girinon of France and Honey First Gunny (Colonels Smoking Gun “Gunner” x ARC Honey Chick x Suprise Enterprise) flew in the arena to perform NRHA pattern #10. The duo walked out happy with a strong 225 holding top honors in the $10,000-added NRHA EAC Open.

Second last to go, Fonck of Belgium and the Golden Paint Ranch entry GP The Stud in Town (Hollywoodstinseltown x CP Surprise x The Stud Muffin) performed to the same score and the two riders opted for the Co-Championship.

“I’m really happy,” said Girinon. “For the first time since I’ve been showing ‘Gunny’ I managed to achieve a great result after a series of mistakes in various 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 performed a little better and in my opinion this is the key to his success. I always knew he could perform plus one maneuvers and I always looked for them and pushed him. This time I listened to him more and it worked out.”

About the decision to share the Co-Championship Girinon said: “Bernard and I agreed right away to tie for the Championship given the friendship and respect towards each other, and above all for the respect of our horses. It was so hot and it wouldn’t have made sense to bring them back to the arena for another run. They were both great and deserved to be at the top together.”

The 9-year-old stallion by NRHA $14 Million Sire Gunner is owned by Soc. Agr. Le Fattorie di Matilde and is a double registered American Quarter Horse (AQHA) and American Paint Horse (APHA). That also gave him the opportunity to compete in the $500-added APHA Chrome Cash Open which he pair also claimed. “I am happy to have won the this title once again because it is a great opportunity for both the rider and the 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 claim top honors when they ran in the Le Petit Far West arena and that is exactly what they did.

“I am super happy with tonight’s run. Even though we had a penalty, I was happy with how he performed. I concentrated on our turns this week because last week [at the 100X European Classic] I noticed that on the score cards they 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 for sure an open horse; he has a lot of mind and is very sensitive, so you have to ride him with a lot of feeling otherwise it can be a problem.” Fonck explained that the two professionals decided not to run off due to the heat conditions at the show. “It is really hot here and it just wouldn’t be fair to the horses. That is the most important to me. Arnaud is a great rider and I am happy to share the Co-Championship with him and his horse. I am also a proud father today because my daughter [Jody] just won the EAC Limited Open, so it is a great feeling to share the podiums with her today.”

$500 Added NRHA EAC Donut Limited 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 young rider did not hold back and guided the 7-year-old stallion to an impressive score of 220.5. As the second section concluded in the evening, Fonck’s score still held and the duo clinched the $500-Added NRHA EAC Donut Limited Open Championship.

“I feel amazing today; I have a super sweet horse and a great supportive owner, so this was great,” she said. “I think the key is to give our horses confidence and love and ride them well. When we go in, they just do it for us. He also gives me enough confidence. I know when I show and I need him, he is always there for me and has my back.”