NCHA News

Marco Sacchetti and Shinee Boon marked 219 Monday. Hart Photography.

Marco Sacchetti, Reggio Emilia, Italy, showing Shinee Boon, by Boon Too Suen, scored 219 points on Monday to take the lead in the Rios of Mercedes Unlimited Amateur go-round competition of the Lucas Oil NCHA Super Stakes. Kaden Rutherford, who showed on Sunday, outscored Amateur go-round entrants with 218.5 points aboard Fantastic One, by Fantastic Cat.

Stacie McDavid, Fort Worth, Tex., claimed the second-highest score in the Unlimited Amateur  division, with 218 points on Studio Fifty Four, while Sacchetti’s countryman, Damiano Avigni, Viadana, Italy, scored 218 points showing Metallic D Nero in the Amateur division.

Sacchetti had never ridden a horse until his daughter began taking riding lessons in 2005, at a stable where a local trainer worked his cutting horse on a flag. “I fell in love with it,” said Sacchetti. “It changed my life. I bought more land, more horses.”

In 2011, Sacchetti traveled to Fort Worth to show 4-year-old Smart Freckled Cat, trained by Brad Mitchell, in the NCHA Super Stakes, where he placed sixth in the Non-Pro Limited Finals and was reserve champion of the Amateur division. He also placed seventh in the 2015 NCHA Super Stakes Amateur on Little Too Sly.

In addition, Sacchetti, who has NCHA earnings of $85,533, won the 2012 Mercuria NCHA World Series Non-Pro division in Lyon, France riding Coupe Dualville and the 2013 NCHA Futurity Amateur championship on Puddy Lil Puppy.

Stacie McDavid and her mount Studio Fifty Four share a lot of history. Stacie and her husband David McDavid owned the mare’s sire, Hes A Peptospoonful, who died in 2011, with just six crops of foals and an impressive roster of performers.  Stacie showed Studio Fifty Four’s dam, Cee Stylish Oak LTE $51,668, as a non-pro finalist in the 2002 NCHA Classic Challenge and the Music City Futurity 5/6 division, as well as reserve champion of the 2002 Abilene Spectacular 5/6 Classic.

Studio Fifty Four is also a full sister to DMAC Fuzzy Spoons LTE $39,207 and DMAC Cee Jane Go LTE $36,780, both non-pro limited age events finalists under Stacie McDavid.

Damiano Avigni, NCHA earner of $16,180, showed Metallic D Nero LTE $13,028, by Metallic Cat, as an Amateur and Unlimited Finalist in the 2016 NCHA Futurity. Metallic D Nero is a three-quarter brother to BSR Cat LTE $110,285.

The Rios of Mercedes Super Stakes Amateur Finals begins at 8:00 a.m., tomorrow, April 4, and is followed by the Rios of Mercedes Super Stakes Classic Unlimited Amateur  Finals, and the Rios of Mercedes Super Stakes Unlimited Amateur Finals. The Rios of Mercedes Super Stakes Classic Amateur Finals begin at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 5.