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Francesca Sternberg Tops NRBC |
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Francesca Sternberg Tops NRBC Intermediate Non Pro on Smart Like Valentino! Francesca Sternberg will return to England as the National Reining Breeders Classic Intermediate Non Pro Champion. In the finals on Friday, April 20, she rode her horse Smart Like Valentino, by Smart Like Juice out of Smart Little Jewel, to a 223.5, claiming the title and $13,106. Sternberg and the 5-year-old gelding had also qualified for the Non Pro finals, and finished in fifth place, worth an additional $13,547. She also collected a saddle sponsored by Kyle Tack, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a Catena watch from Catena USA, as well as product from M3 Products, InfoMedia Video, and Santa Cruz Biotechnologies. Sternberg was quick to credit her friends and family with the win. “I told them that success is where preparation meets opportunity. I had the opportunity, and they did all the preparation,” she joked following the awards ceremony. “Steffano Massignan got this horse ready for me, my sister gave me a wonderful opportunity, and the Sterling Ranch crew here was unbelievable.” She added, “You can’t do this on your own. You have to have the right team behind you and the right horse under you – both are hard to find.” Francesca went on to win a further 3 classes, including the prestigious NRBC Non Pro Challenge aboard her sister's horses Shiners Chic. This 7 yr old gelding had previously been successful when ridden by Francesca's niece Jessica Sternberg. The ride became available as Jessica is currently taking her finals exams at The Royal Holloway University, and Francesca was delighted to be able to compete the horse in the interim period. Francesca has now won more than $250,000 in Reining competitions world wide, making her the highest earning British Reining rider to date. She is part of the Sterling Quarter Horse team based at Bodiam, and has represented Great Britain at the last 3 World Equestrian Games. Francesca joked that she has had to improve her performance recently to keep up with her Husband Doug Allen, last year's Intermediate Open Reserve Word Champion and daughter Tabitha, last year's AQHA International Rookie of the Year. Said Sternberg "the Heat is on!' Francesca and Just Like Valentino can be seen in action this summer at the Garden of England Festival of Western Riding held at the Bodiam International Arena inEast Sussex. The show takes place from July 18th - 22nd and will include the FEI CRI Reining class, used as a selection for the British Team competing at the FEI World Championships to be held in Italy in October. Further details on the show can be found on : www. gardenofenglandcircuit.co.uk For further information on the above please contact: office@sterlingquarterhorses.com Tel: 01580 850801 |
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2013-02-04 |