This year the FEI World Reining Masters Final will be held in Oklahoma, a fitting tribute to a state whose history is synonymous with cattle and is also the home of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) which from 1966 to 2000 managed the sport. From that date onwards, and in view of its rising international status, or more exactly from 14 April 2000, Reining officially became the seventh FEI discipline, although since then, Para-Equestrian also joined the ranks of the FEI family.

The $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters is an annual competition to reward the best individual reiners in the world. The USA, Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland will be allowed to send their top two riders to compete in the Masters, open division only as these five countries were all finalists at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Furthermore, the top rider, according to a point system, in each National Federation (NF) qualifies to compete in the FEI World Reining Masters (WRM). This year, this includes competitors from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico and the Netherlands.

As well as competing for the $100,000 purse, the riders will also be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in two divisions: Open and Restricted. All in all, 15 nations and 20 elite riders lined up for a fantastic show…

For more information on the sport of Reining and related events, visit the FEI website – and to find out more about the FEI World Reining Masters Final 2007, visit www.nrha.com