Chrome Cash sets records at the 2025 NRHA European Derby

By Irene Stamatelakys
Photos by Wanted

European reining fans packed the stands in Lyon, France, for the 2025 NRHA European Derby and witnessed something special. APHA’s Chrome Cash program reached unprecedented heights this year, boasting a record-breaking 100 entries and distributing nearly $14,700 in payouts at the event, including $8,000 added by APHA. With more Paint Horses than ever lighting up EquitaLyon, Chrome Cash proved once again that color, talent and opportunity create a winning combination.

But amid this milestone moment for the program, one young rider stole the show.

Whiz Kid

Twelve-year-old Emanuel Gebert of Geisenfeld, Germany, is already accustomed to high-caliber competition—he recently earned The Run For A Million’s Youth Reining Challenge Reserve Champion title on a borrowed horse. But in Lyon, aboard a horse he knows well, Emanuel delivered a performance for the record books.

In the Non-Pro Finals, Emanuel piloted Spooksgottacoolstep to an impressive 218. When the dust settled, the pair walked away as the 2025 NRHA Euro Derby Non-Pro Level 2, 3 & 4 Chrome Cash Champions. That makes Emanuel the first youth rider to win multiple Chrome Cash classes at an NRHA event in Europe.

Despite his historic achievement, Emanuel remained characteristically modest.

“I feel great,” he said. “It was a nice run. My horse was good.”

His father elaborated on the moment.

“It’s always a surprise and you cannot expect it. I hoped for it; I wished for it,” Markus said. “Six weeks ago, we had the maturity in Italy, and they won there, so we knew that he was able to show that horse—to go for it—but you never know what happens inside the pen.

“All of us were kind of nervous, honestly, but he managed it really good. He has a good hand and a good feeling. He’s super smart in the show pen and knows when to show the horse and when to be patient.”

Spooksgottacoolstep is a 2018 bay solid stallion by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Charly Step N Cool (QH). He was bred by Emanuel’s mother, Angelika, and trained by his father.

“We got an offer last year to sell him, but we didn’t and decided to make him a family horse,” Markus said. “No regrets for that! We’ll keep him and breed with him.”

The Gebert family is no stranger to Chrome Cash success.

“We had a Spooks Gotta Whiz stallion a couple of years ago, named Whiz A Lot, that we entered in the Chrome Cash,” said Markus. “With this kind of program, it gives us so many more possibilities for us to show a horse and present it. I’m honored that my son is showing him in the Chrome Cash. It’s special to us.”

2025 NRHA Euro Derby Chrome Cash Champions

• Caronte Sixty Six & Silvia Pellegrinato: NRHA Euro Derby Non-Pro Level 1 Chrome Cash Champions

Hailing from Milan, Italy, Silvia Pellegrinato rode her own Caronte Sixty Six to a 211, securing the L1 Chrome Cash title and second place in L2 Chrome Cash for combined earnings of $1,100 USD. The 2020 sorrel solid stallion is by Inferno Sixty Six and out of Ima Late Doll (QH), bred by Nicola Cordioli of Rivoli Veronese, Italy.

• Spooksgottacoolstep & Emanuel Gebert: NRHA Euro Derby Non-Pro Level 2, 3 & 4 Chrome Cash Champions

Emanuel and Spooksgottacoolstep marked a 218 to sweep the L2, L3 & L4 Chrome Cash titles, earning $1,744. Beyond Chrome Cash, the duo won the Non-Pro Youth class, Non-Pro L2 and L3 championship, and the Non-Pro L4 reserve championship. The 2018 solid bay stallion is by Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Charly Step N Cool (QH), owned and bred by Angelika Gebert of Geisenfeld, Germany.

• Custom Ice Delux & Nikolett Legindi: NRHA Euro Derby Open Level 1 Chrome Cash Champions

Originally from Hungary and now based in Spain, Nikolett Legindi rode Custom Ice Delux to a 201, earning the L1 Open Chrome Cash title and $660 for owner Liu Xiaoou of Beijing, China. The 2018 dun solid stallion is by Gunner Is On Ice and out of Revolution In Crome (QH), bred by Natascha Duhr of Flebour, Luxembourg.

• TR Gunshine & Lars Suechting: NRHA Euro Derby Open Level 2 & 3 Chrome Cash Champions

Ridden by Germany’s Lars Suechting, TR Gunshine marked a 216 to secure the L2 & L3 Open Chrome Cash titles and $1,122. The 2017 sorrel overo mare is by Shine Chic Shine (QH) and out of KR Ima Gunner, bred by Tamarack Ranch LLC of Alvarado, Texas, and owned by Nadine Zuercher of Koblach, Austria.

• Flexing Guns N Town & Arnaud Girinon: NRHA Euro Derby Open Level 4 Chrome Cash Champions

French rider Arnaud Girinon returned to defend his title, posting a 219 aboard Flexing Guns N Town to win the L4 Open Chrome Cash championship and $589. The 2019 palomino solid stallion is by Hollywoodstinseltown (QH) and out of Shesa Fashion Gun. He is owned by Anna Maria Scheiflinger of Glanegg, Austria, and bred by Peter and Courtney Morgan of Ocala, Florida.

For complete results, visit nrhaeuroderby.com/results.

Looking Ahead

The NRHA European Derby marked the grand finale of the 2025 Chrome Cash season in Europe—but the excitement doesn’t stop here. Stay tuned for more Chrome Cash opportunities in 2026, including the NRHA European Affiliate Championship and NRHA European Derby, offering $2,500 and $8,000 in Chrome Cash, respectively.

If your Paint isn’t APHA-registered, don’t wait. Visit apha.com/chromecash to get started and make your ride count.

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About APHA

The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.