The top European reiners will meet in France this week for the third FEI European Reining Championship set to be held at the beautiful Horse Academy in Mooslargue, whose facilities have already been put to the test on many an occasion with a number of CRIs and the World Reining Trophy. Twelve nations will be battling it out for the coveted individual and team titles, with a total of 38 reiners (plus seven reserve riders) set to attend.
Indeed, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland will all be sending teams of four riders plus reserve while Israel and the Netherlands will have teams of three riders each leaving Belgium, France and Sweden with just the individual riders. (The complete list of entries is provided below.)

Reining became an official FEI discipline in 2000. Although it’s the youngest of the eight FEI disciplines and the only western discipline, reining has grown tremendously with new competitions across the globe paying millions to competitors. The first European Championship was held in Reggio Emilia, Italy in 2003 with eight countries competing. Germany won the gold medal then both in individual and team competition. Since then, the European Championship is held every two years. In 2005, the second European Championship in Manerbio, Italy, saw twelve teams competing with Italy winning the gold medal, both in the team and individual competition. The individual winner then was Marco Ricotta astride Mifillenium. The 11-year-old Quarter Horse stallion will be wearing the Italian colours yet again, although on this occasion, Gennaro Lendi will be in the saddle.

Reining is one of the western riding disciplines – and definitely one of the most fascinating oneas! Its origins lie in the style of riding of the Spanish Vaqueros in California and the Cowboys of the American West. Those hardworking men of the frontier days needed a horse which responded to the slightest aids immediately. They guided their horse with a loose rein using one hand only as they needed the other one for their work. That’s why senior reining horses have to be ridden with only one hand on the reins. The western saddle and bridle as well as the rider’s show dress go back to those times as well. As do the manoeuvres typical of reining: working the cattle, the horse had to go fast, turn hard, stop immediately and go again as demanded by its job – all this without getting nervous and losing its head due to the fast changes of speed.

Since those days, reining has come a long way. Today, it is a fascinating show discipline which attracts more and more horse lovers worldwide. The rule book includes ten patterns consisting of seven to eight manoeuvres such as circles with speed control and lead changes in the figure eight, turn-arounds (spins), roll backs, backups and of course the legendary sliding stop after the run down at full speed. Each competitor enters the arena with a score of 70, to which points are added for especially good manoeuvres or from which penalties are deducted.

The team competition is scheduled for Thursday 16 August, starting at 2 p.m. The top 19 competitors will ride for individual gold on Saturday night 18 August, the competition starting at 8 p.m. Five internationally renowned FEI judges will judge the riders during the European Championship: Jan Boogaerts (BEL), Ralf Hesselschwerdt (GER), Sylvia Katschker (AUT), François Zurcher (SUI) and Filippo Masi (ITA).

The list of competitors is as follows:

Belgium
Ann Fonck-Poels / Chic Dual

Czech Republic
Klára Salková / Smart Chiconita
Karel Barotek / Hollywood Spinstep
Roman Zimmermann / RDH Genuine Cookie
Hynek Fister / Monty Blue Sky
Lukás Brucek / Chexs Golden Shoot

Denmark
Christina Johansen / JFB Bar Power
Sannee Klindt / Rietta Doc Jac
Helle Kristensen / MJ Golden Spring
Rikke Madsen / Fast Draw Enterprise
Morten Soby / Smokin Tari Too

France
Yves Fromont / Titan Texan
Grégory Legrand / New Doc Peppy Cat

Germany
Steffen Breug / Mr Rattle N Hum
Emanuel Ernst / Legends Diamond Doc
Nico Hörmann / Big Time Rooster
Grischa Ludwig / Olenas Diablo Star
Oliver Stein / Smart Little Lenic

Great Britain
Doug Allan / Jacs Little Sunrise
Francesca Sternberg / Yelena My Way
Tammy Greaves / The Magic of Whiz
Mark How / Whiz Worth
David Gray / Peppy Nic Tivio

Hungary
Katinka Fay / Crazy Proffessor
Reka Kis / Hotrodding Sailor
Istvan Rakoczi / Strudel White Socks
Tóth Lajos / Smart Golden Rain
Rita Kurcsics / Freckled Pancho Jac

Israel
Ilan Rosenberg / Doctor Stream
Elad Kalifa / Diamond in Hollywood
David Mordechai / Chic Freckle Olena

Italy
Davide Brighenti / OT Taris San Peppy
Martin Gamper / RS Great Jac Feona
Gennaro Lendi / Mifillenium
Giuseppe Prevosti / Steadys Dude
Adriano Meacci / Docs Tivio Hancock

Sweden
Anders Josefsson / Silver N Hickory

Switzerland
Thierry Hebert / Mr Royaly Freckles
Alex Kubli / Jokers Freckle King
Selina Schulheiss / Mr Topsail Brigalena
Daniela Straumann / Gallo Pequeno
Locher Rahel / Taco Leno Bar

The Netherlands
Rieky Young-van Osch / Stop it
Angelique Ferdinandus / Pepp O Leny Chex
Hubertus Heule / Shining Fox

For more information about this event please refer to www.euroslide.ch

The official photographer for the event:
White Horse Media, André Sauder
Hauptstrasse 50, CH-8269 Fruthwilen
Phone +41 79 422 53 09
andre@westerner.ch