Everything You Need to Know About Reining

During our Americana Week, we find out more about the Western discipline of Reining...

Nothing quite compares to the atmosphere generated by the passionate crowds and thrilling action of a Reining competition.

Encompassing the traditions and horsemanship skills of the Old West and no shortage of razzmatazz, Reining is the ultimate all-American discipline and equestrian experience.

While the sport developed from the traditional skills of ranchers, the creation of a top-level series of major shows now means big Reining stars can earn huge sums. The legendary Shawn Flarida has won an eye-watering $6m throughout his career!

Reining was added to the FEI World Equestrian Games schedule in 2002, and since then the likes of Flarida and Tom McCutcheon have helped the USA to five straight Team golds. However, it should be noted that Belgium’s Bernard Fonck won Individual gold two years ago, with Italy, Germany and the Netherlands looking increasingly strong.

Here's Team USA doing their thing!

While the sport is growing internationally, we asked the US Equestrian Federation to tell us more about this most thrilling of disciplines!

How did Reining develop?

Reining as a sport came from the Old West culture where horses were a vital part of every working livestock ranch.

Horses needed to be sturdy, quick, responsive, and agile to be able to herd and move cattle and other livestock across the range. A Reining competition essentially shows off the skills and athletic abilities necessary in the working ranch horse, but does so within the confines of a show pen and the movements you see in competition today have become extremely precise and highly refined.

How does a Reining competition work?

Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch-type horse within the confines of a show arena.

There are a total of 13 approved official Reining patterns, and horses exhibit individually-performing, compulsory movements which include small slow circles, large fast circles, flying changes of lead, roll-backs, quick 360-degree spins, and the ever-exciting sliding stops which have become the hallmark of the Reining horse.

Reining horses are judged individually as they complete one of 12 specified patterns. One or more judges score each horse between 0 and infinity with 70 denoting an average score. Each horse automatically begins the pattern with a 70.

The judge can either add or deduct up to 1 and 1/2 points on each manoeuvre in half-point increments based on the ‘quality’ of the manoeuvre. Penalties are also allocated for minor deviations from the pattern; major deviations result in a zero score for the go.

As the judges watch the execution of the pattern, individual scribes keep track of each judge's manoeuvre scores on a score sheet, as well as penalty marks. Scores are tabulated and announced at the end of each run.

In scoring, credit is given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority when performing the various manoeuvres. Controlled speed in the pattern raises the level of difficulty and makes the Reining horse more exciting and pleasing to watch. Increased level of difficulty is rewarded with higher scores if the manoeuvres are performed correctly.

What is a Reining competition like?

The atmosphere of Reining competitions is very energetic and loud, which is unique to the discipline. The crowd is very engaged as each rider completes their pattern and spectator participation is encouraged throughout the event.

Most Reining competitions are well attended by public spectators, as well as the support teams and families of competitors, who are commonly found near the in-gate before a rider enters the ring.

How popular is Reining?

The Southwest region of the US – particularly Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and California -- is saturated with Reining trainers and breeding farms, however more and more are popping up all over the US and globe. Internationally, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands have strong Reining programs and are continuing to grow.

The National Reining Horse Association (NHRA) has flourished over the past two decades. Membership numbers have continued to grow, almost surpassing 15,000 including more than 1,400 youth members. There are currently over 1,200 NRHA approved shows and more than 150 Entry Level Reining events held around the world each year.

What are the biggest competitions?

The NRHA Futurity is for three-year-old horses ride and offers the chance to win $150,000 in total championship earnings, with a total purse and prizes totaling nearly $2.3m! NRHA's finest million-dollar event, comprised of nearly 3,000 entries competing in all classes, three special Reining horse sales and approximately 125,000 spectators from more than 20 countries, is held in late fall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The NRHA Derby, held in Oklahoma City in late spring to early summer, is for horses aged 4-6 with horses competing for more than $600,000 in purse money. Held in late spring / early summer in Oklahoma City, the Derby hosts the Collegiate Reining Championships and Interscholastic Equestrian Association Reining Championships, plus so much more.

The Run For A Million is the richest event in the history of Reining. The 2020 event is scheduled to be hosted by the prestigious South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas in August. Fifteen riders, including some of the most accomplished NRHA Professionals in the history of Reining, will compete for a purse of $1m.

How can someone get started in Reining?

To get started in Reining you would want to locate a Reining professional in your area. The NRHA website is a great way for Americans to locate professionals in your area. Other countries will have their own associations.

Once you locate a professional you should give them a call and let them know your skill level and determine if they would be a fit for what you are hoping to achieve in Reining.

What could someone expect at their first Reining lesson?

This is a tough question because it would be dependent on skill level and experience being around horses. If you are a true beginner you would learn about being around the horse, the equipment necessary for Reining, the various aids you would use once you’re on the horse, and potentially get one and learn about the basic positions for a rider.

If you’re more experienced you might learn about cueing the horse for different manoeuvres.