Flexing Guns N Town and Arnaud Girinon Qualify for 2025 The Run For A Million
The sold-out Oklahoma Arena was electric on Saturday night as 62 Open Finalists competed in the $182,361-Added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Derby Open Finals. When Arnaud Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town topped the Level 4 Open finals, they not only took home the championship but also qualified for the 2025 The Run For A Million.
With just one horse-rider combination left in the second section, the pressure was on for French rider Arnaud Girinon and his striking 5-year-old palomino, Flexing Guns N Town (Hollywoodstinseltown x Shesa Fashion Gun x Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner]). The score to beat was a 228 from Germany’s Nina Lil; without hesitation, Girinon delivered a breathtaking performance that earned him a score of 230 from the judges.
Arnaud Girinon receiving the Chrome Cash award check from APHA Executive Director Dave Dellin. * Photo by Wanted Photos
Flexing Guns N Town, nominated by Anna Maria Scheiflinger, arrived at Equita Lyon with $74,758 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. The duo claimed the $82,612-Added Level 4 European Derby Open Championship and clinched the ticket for The Run For A Million (TRFAM) 2025 Million Dollar Championship. The $11,000-Added TRFAM Qualifier, featuring 13 entries, precedes the prestigious event set for August 11-16, 2025, in Las Vegas. Additionally, Girinon and Flexing Guns N Town took home the $1,250-added APHA Chrome Cash Incentive Level 4 Open Derby Championship.
“Today was just amazing. We have been working toward this success with this horse for so long. We were Reserve Champions three times in previous derbies, missing out by just half a point each time. Tonight, everything fell into place,” Girinon shared. Reflecting on the TRFAM qualification, he added: “This achievement is incredibly emotional for me. It’s the kind of success you dream of, and I knew my horse was capable of it—he truly deserved this. Qualifying in my home country, surrounded by family, made this victory even more special.”
Nina Lil showcased a stellar run aboard Jewel Dream, a 5-year-old mare by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream out of GR Hug A Jewel (by Solanoswarlee Boy). Owned by Martin Bachmann and nominated by Edoardo Bernardelli, the pair scored a 228 to claim the NRHA European Derby Level 4 Reserve Championship, the $47,222-Added Level 3 Championship, and the $34,565-Added Level 2 Championship.
Nina Lill riding Jewel Dream * Photo by Wanted Photo
“She’s an incredible mare, capable of earning pluses on every maneuver. I didn’t expect such a standout run, but she was flawless today,” said Lil, who has trained the mare for a year. “Dominik Reminder initially started her, followed by Davide Brighenti and then the reins passed on to me last year. I also trained and showed her dam and they share similar qualities: an exceptional mind and great stops. I’m excited for her future offspring and she already has one foal on the ground. We look forward to many more.”
Anne Grether of the Netherlands claimed the Level 3 and Level 2 Reserve Championships aboard RS Reininghorses BV’s TR Voodoo Doll (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Wallawhizagun x Walla Walla Whiz) with a score of 220.5. The 6-year-old mare was nominated by Tamarack Ranch LLC.
Anne Grether riding TR Voodoo Doll * Photo by Wanted Photo
Germany’s Jasmin Andersdotter rode Sparkling And Spooky, a 5-year-old gelding by NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage out of NRHA Million Dollar Dam Ebony Spook (by Smart Spook), to a 216 score to secure the $17,961-Added Level 1 Open Championship during the first section of the Finals. The horse was bred and nominated by NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner Rosanne Sternberg and is owned by Alina Sira Herzlinger.
“This was my last year competing in the Level 1 so winning a Level 1 Championship was my goal. Achieving this at the final show of the season makes it even more meaningful,” Andersdotter said. “I’ve shown him since last year’s futurities, and this year, we never missed a final. I’m proud of him—he’s amazing.”
Jasmin Andersdotter riding Sparkling and Spooky * Photo by Wanted Photos
Denmark’s Patrick Capobianco and Voodoo Majestic Gun (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Gunna Be Majestic x Colonels Smoking Gun [Gunner]), a 7-year-old gelding owned by Cecilie Lyndrup and nominated by Quarter Dream Srl, earned the Level 1 Reserve Championship with a score of 215.5.
Patrick Capobianco and Voodoo Majestic Gun * Photo by Wanted Photos