August 31, 2025
AMERICANA 2025 in Friedrichshafen has begun!
EUR 212,000 in prize money – around 500 horses and 1,000 entries in 50 classes
Masters Cutting Open Champion: Andrea Favaretto & Trendzetter
Today, AMERICANA 2025 kicked off for the participants. The event started with a Masters Cutting Open that was strong in every respect. Thirty horse-rider combinations from six nations faced the international team of judges. The Championship was claimed by Andrea Favaretto (ITA) aboard Trendzetter (Once in a Blu Boon × Misplaced Cat), owned by Silvia Viaggi – with a score of 154! Favaretto was, among other things, 2023 ERCHA Futurity Champion Open and Ltd. Open and NCHA of Italy Futurity Champion Open and Ltd. Open.
Second place went to Gaetan Foulatier (FRA) who scored a 152 on the 5-year-old Stylish Stevie (by Stevie Rey Von), owned by Yvonne Bonda, the main sponsor of this year's AMERICANA. The gelding was bred by Main River Ranch and was started by Josh Townsend. Yvonne Bonda had already shown the horse as a three-year-old and only recently brought him to Germany. It was Gaetan Foulatier's first show with the horse.
Third place went to multiple European Cutting Champion Pietro Valeri (ITA), who rode Starry Eyedd for Marco Salvatori to a score of 150.
Daniel Ingold and Dual Hickory CD ein Cutting Youth
Daniel Ingold (SUI) won the Cutting Youth aboard Dual Hickory CD. The pair received a score of 142 for their outstanding ride. In 2024, they were Youth Highpoint Champion NCHAoG, among other titles. Second place went to Wiktoria Paliwoda on Nothing Elz Matters (140).
Sabine Lamberts & Steadys Little Tari take lead after Ranch Riding Non Pro Go round
With 31 horse-rider combinations, the Ranch Riding Non Pro Go Round was extremely competitive and proved once again how enthusiastic the participants are about the fourth pillar of AMERICANA, the ranch horse. Sabine Lamberts took the lead with a score of 158 on Steadys Little Tari (Spook N Tari x Steady Sugar Play). The 4-year-old mare, bred by Henri Sander, was already EWU German Junior Western Ranch Rail Champion this year and won the title of Best Young Horse 4-year-old.
The second-best score (157) was achieved by Uschi Jau (SUI) on her mare PL Supermagnetica. The pair were 2024 European Amateur Trail Champions and won the Ranch Trail at Equita in Lyon. Third place went to Bettina Galle (SUI) on Pistolero Bo Sun (155).
Ranch Trail Open Go round: Top Score for Annika Riggenbach & AJ Dry Dunnit
The AMERICANA team had come up with a truly inviting but also challenging course for the Ranch Trail Go Round. Annika Riggenbach (SUI) achieved the top score in the Open Go Round on the 17-year-old gelding AJ Dry Dunnit (by Lil Dry Peppy), owned by Bettina Galle: 159.5. That put her in the lead. The pair have been a successful team for years and have already won this year's Western Show Cup at euro cheval 2025.
Second place was shared by Jacqueline Büttner on Smart Royal Vintage, owned by Harry Grund, and Maria Wegener-Wolter on RM Bambi Smoking Gun, owned by Janine Höftmann, both with 155 points. Jacqueline Büttner and Smart Royal Vintage were 2023 AMERICANA Working Ranch Horse Trail Open Reserve Champions. Maria Wegener-Wolter and RM Bambi Smoking Gun won bronze in Senior Ranch Riding at the 2025 State Championships in Neu-Ruppin. Sascha Ludwig followed in fourth place with Chic Weasel, owned by Georg Wiedenhöfer (152).
Vivien Leisner & KH Great Investment take lead in Ranch Trail Non Pro Go round
In the Ranch Trail Non Pro Go Round, Vivien Leisner took the lead with KH Great Investment with a score of 154.5. The pair won the AMERICANA Ranch Riding Non Pro in 2023. Anita Mattenberger (SUI) followed in second place with a score of 154 on Whizkey Key, followed by Annika Viecenz on Despacito Whiz (152).
Further information: www.americana.de
Livestream https://play2ride.tv/episodes/americana-live/
About AMERICANA:
AMERICANA is Europe's largest western riding exhibition and transforms the exhibition grounds in Friedrichshafen into a paradise for horse enthusiasts every two years. With over 400 horses, 700 cattle and almost 1,000 entries in around 50 classes, it is the highlight of the western riding scene. From clothing and accessories to stable construction, fans of equestrian sports and the Western lifestyle will find what they are looking for among the international exhibitors. After the fair closes, the Western atmosphere of AMERICANA invites visitors to linger and join in the excitement, for example at the evening shows or during a visit to the saloon.
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