- About

REINING - A GREAT AND GROWING SPORT..............

Welcome to the fastest growing equine sport in the world! At the heart of this global phenomenon is the reining horse itself-a beautiful, athletic, highly trainable equine. Whether your goal is to prove your skills and those of your horse in a comptetitive environment or just ride the prettiest most broke horse in your neighborhood, the reining horse fills the bill like no other.

Perfection of the Basics

Reining challenges the rider to achieve the highest levels of horsemanship, all of which requires commitment and the cooperation of a superior equine partner. Much like its English cousin dressage, reining is the perfection of horsemanship basics, but in western disciplines.

From the Kitchen Table

Reining and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) evolved most like anything else - they sprang to life out of a need. Developed from the moves a cow horse is asked to make during regular ranch work, reining first appeared as an AQHA class in 1950 and for the next decade it progressed from a course that included all three gates (walk, trot, and lope), plus directional changes, to a standardized pattern calling for more complicated maneuvers such as rollbacks, figure eights, speed control, and stops.

In the mid 1960s, at a large horse show in Chicago, Illinois, the need for a better way to judge reining horses became apparent. Trainer Dale Wilkinson had his assistant trainer Bill Horn ride Continental King for owners Dr. James and Mickie Glenn (the aforementioned people and the horse are now in the NRHA Hall of Fame.) Horn didn't win the class but Mickie thought he should have and wondered what could be done to improve the judging. Wilkinson suggested that an association be started to standardize the rules.

Shortly thereafter, in 1965, at an AQHA show in Dayton, Ohio, Horn won the reining on Continental King. That sparked a group of Reining enthusiasts to come together to promote reining as a single-event-sport. Wilkinson's brainchild came to life in 1966 when Mickie Glenn set out to organize a reining horse association literally at her kitchen table, and the NRHA was formed.

The first NRHA Futurity for 3-year-old reining horses had 35 entries and was held in 1966 in Columbus, Ohio. It was won by Wilkinson riding Pocorichie Bo, owned by Miles Chester. The first-place paycheck for the history-making run was $2,400.

Fast forward 40 years and a lot of growing pains, which include the addition of non-pr0, intermediate, limited, and youth divisions; the NRHA Reiner magazine; NRHA Hall of Fame; NRHA Derby for 4-, 5- and 6 year olds; an objective judging system; year end award; sire and dam program; a move of the corporate office and main events to Oklahoma City; and Million Dollar Horse and Rider designations. Participation and money look a whole lot different, too. Instead of 35 entries, as in the first NRHA Futurity, there are now close to 400 entries, and the winner takes home a guaranteed paycheck for $125,000.00.

A World View

Beginning in the early to mid-1980's, international interest in reining began to develop. Our top horseman were constantly flying around the globe, selling horses and giving clinics to an audience thirsty for anything reining. No doubt the strong presence of the American Quarter Horses already present on the global scene helped jumpstart the sport. Foreigners loved the look and culture of the American "cowboy". It wasn't long before events such as Americana became the biggest equine venues on the European continent.

In the late '80s, the International Reining Council was formed, all with an eye on world-class competition. the goal was to make reining the next Olympic sport, but it would take another decade to be recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body for international horse sport. Reining was accepted as the first western discipline on the United States Equestrian Team (now United States Equestrian Federation) in 1998, an the FEI acknowledged it for international competition in 2000. The sport caused quite a stir from the beginning.

Reiners are used to a lot of excitement when they rein. Much hooting, hollering, and whistling goes on when a good run is going down. That's in stark contrast to the hushed and quiet audience for dressage, drivng, or three-day eventing. What a change when the reiners came to town. It wasn't long though, before the stands at major events were filled to capacity with a loud and appreciative crowd of reining enthusiasts.

Your Backyard

Even though the world of reining is getting larger all the time, that doesn't mean you cant enjoy it in your own backyard.

The NRHA international affiliate program has regional clubs (such as the Alabama Reining Horse Association), that host NRHA-sanctioned shows and events all over the planet. Join and become part of a family of like-minded reiners who compete for fun and prizes but also share a sense of community.

One of the hallmarks of reining is the camaraderie between exhibitors. Yes, you are all out there to compete against one another, but asking form help is just a smile and a question away. Reiners are famous for their fellowship. They all know the passion and dedication it takes to rein a horse to NRHA standards, and are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience - pros and amateurs alike.

If you dont want to compete, an affiliate will introduce you to people who can help you master the sport. If nothing else, your horsemanship and your horse will be better off for it!

Summarized from World Class Reiningby Shawn Flarida and Craig Schmersal, with Kathy Swan, Western Horseman,2007

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Click on the links below to watch reiners in action...........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGG7sgjTM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMr4REbiW-s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hnN2vE3_VA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK1Bq8yCU_A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV3RZZ2uJHU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzLyCZOfal0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHg_QpOaIao&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIzT59LrPkk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1jIZT22R8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLJtDaq4iTk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK1Bq8yCU_A&feature=related