What is Reining?

Reining is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports today. This rapid growth has dramatically increased the demand for quality quarter horses trained in the western reining discipline. Reining is a sport that displays horses and riders in a graceful yet exciting manner. Reining has been called the "dressage of Western Riding," with a distinctly hard-driving, sliding, spinning flavor. Its purpose is to show the horse's athleticism, smoothness, finesse, obedience and attitude (See a sample reining pattern below).

Reining is extremely popular throughout the USA and is growing very rapidly in popularity on the international level. Reining is one of the six equestrian sports supported by USET (the United States Equestrian Team). This organization prepares teams for international competition.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has approved Reining as an international sport. Reining is the first and only Western riding sport to achieve this status. Western Reining has recently become an event at the Pan Am Games and the World Equestrian Games. Reining has received so much international support as a horseback riding sport that is likely to achieve Olympic status in the 2012 summer Olympic games.

How did it Start

Like all western riding sports, reining had its start on the ranch. Cowboys who had to herd cattle, rope calves, and ride long distances needed reliable, agile and obedient horses.

In the old days riders did not collapse by the campfire with a bottle of liniment, but were likely to engage in riding sports, competing with one another to see who had the fastest horse, who had the most obedient horse or who could do the best tricks.

Out of these cowboy contests came the elegant and exciting sport of reining. Today, the skills of the horse and rider are displayed in the riding of patterns around an arena. These involve a variety of movements that must be chained together in a graceful sequence with no observable resistance on the horse's part.

How is the Sport Organized

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is the main organization for Reining in the United States. Founded in 1966, the NRHA is an organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse. It serves as the standard setting body for the sport of Reining worldwide. Canadian provinces such as Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia are affiliates. Worldwide, the NRHA has affiliates in Australia, Israel, Japan, Austria, France, Italy, Holland, Spain and Switzerland. The larger European National Reining Organizations include: the National Reining Horse Association of Germany; the Italian Reining Horse Association; the Belgian Reining Horse Association.

What Is a Reining Competition

A Reining competition is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena. In NRHA competition, contestants are required to run one of ten approved patterns, included in the NRHA Handbook (See Appendix A for a sample pattern).

Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.

The NRHA Judging System is recognized as the leading format for judging an equine event that combines technical and stylistic elements coupled with consideration of "degree of difficulty".

The Main Events

The NRHA Futurity

3-year-old horses ridden for first place prize money of over $125,000 with a total purse and prizes totaling $1,500,000.

The Italian Reining Horse Association Futurity

3-year-old horses ridden for first place prize money of over $250,000 with a total purse and prizes totaling $2,000,000.

The NRHA Derby

4, 5 and 6-year-old horses competing for $550,000 in purse money.

The NRBC Classic (Breeders Cup)

4, 5 and 6-year-old horses competing for $600,000 in purse money.

Growth of the Reining Horse Industry

The NRHA has flourished over the past 15 years. From 1990-2005, NRHA grew from 3,850 members to 13,483 (Since 1/1/06 over 1,200 new members have joined the NRHA), and from 143 NRHA approved shows to 575. In 1990, a total of $1.2 million was paid out in NRHA competition and in 2005 NRHA paid out over $8.5 million in competition purses.¹

Gaining acceptance as the first Western Discipline of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) marked an important page in the history of Reining, the western horse, and the NRHA. In the last few years, NRHA has prospered as one of the most popular equine sport associations in the world.

This international fascination with Western Reining is clearly demonstrated by examining the increase of the membership in Europe and other countries other than the US/Canada. In 2000 there were 823 members. In 2005 there 2,069 members, an increase of over 251% in five years! The American Quarter Horse dominates the world of Reining just like the European Warm Blood breeds dominate Dressage. As a result, the demand for champion quarter horses and their offspring are in extremely high demand.

For example, at the December, 2005 NRHA Two Year-old Prospect Sale held in Oklahoma City 52 head were offered and 43 were sold. The average selling price of all the horses sold was $36,037. The average selling price of the 28 colts sold was $40,182. However, and this is what is significant, the top 10% average selling price was $131,750 with the highest price being $167,000! Less than 10 years ago the average price would have been the highest price. It is also extremely important to note that these horses are 2 year olds and that are purely prospects and have not even begun their competitive careers. They are being valued solely on pedigree and earning potential and many of the top prospects are not even offered for sale at these auctions. The best are sold in private sales.

NRHA Growth From 1990 through 2005

Conclusion: The data above clearly demonstrate the explosive growth in the Reining Horse industry.

While not a key factor to the success of the Manager's goals, if Western Reining becomes an Olympic event at the 2012 Olympic Games the demand for champion caliber Reining Horses will increase even more dramatically. Similar to the CRI, CRIO, Masters and World Equestrian Games competitions, the demand will not only apply to 3 to 6 year old Reining Horses, it will extend to 7 to 10 year old Reining Horses as well due to the aged class events that will be part of the Olympic competition structure.

A Sample Reining Pattern

PATTERN 4 (from the NRHA Handbook)

(See the glossary below for definitions of each movement).

Begin at the center of the arena facing the left wall or fence. Beginning on right lead, complete three circles to the right: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Stop at the center of the arena. Complete four spins to the right. Hesitate. Beginning on the left lead, complete three circles to the left: the first two circles large and fast; the third circle small and slow. Stop at the center of the arena. Complete four spins to the left. Hesitate.

Beginning on right lead, run a large fast circle to the right, change leads at the center of the arena, run a large fast circle to the left, and change leads at the center of the arena. Continue around previous circle to the right. At the top of the circle, run down the middle to the far end of the arena past the end marker and do a right roll back-no hesitation. Run up the middle to the opposite end of the arena past the end marker and do a left roll back-no hesitation. Run past the center marker and do a sliding stop. Back up to the center of the arena or at least 10 feet. Hesitate to complete demonstration of the pattern. Rider must drop bridle to the designated judge or steward as designated by the judge.

Glossary of Basic Reining Terms

Circle: Different circle sizes and speeds show control in speed changes.

Hesitate: Demonstrate the horse's ability to stand motionless in a relaxed position on command.

Lead Change: Change the leading legs at front and rear, at a lope, when changing direction.

Rollback: Perform a 180-degree change of direction at a lope.

Run Down: Demonstrate control and gradual increase of speed before coming to a stop.

Sliding Stop: Slow from a lope (at Run Down Speed) to a stop by bringing the hind legs under the horse in a locked position, sliding on the hind feet.

Spin: Perform a series of 360-degree turns with hindquarters fixed and maintained throughout the spin.

1. Source of all data NRHA growth statistics.

Information from http://www.silverspursequine.com/reining.php all credit goes to them on researching and bringing all this information together.