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Western and rodeo
Reining is a western discipline in which the horse performs fast circles, spins and spectacular sliding stops. It is sometimes compared to dressage, done cowboy style.
| Group | Western and rodeo |
|---|---|
| Also called | western reining |
| Olympic | no |
| Governing body | National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) |
| Where it is popular | Reining grew out of ranch work in the United States and is still most popular there. It is growing in Canada, Brazil, Australia and Europe, especially Italy and Germany. |
The rider performs alone in an arena, following one of the approved patterns from memory: large fast and small slow circles with flying lead changes, a rundown into a sliding stop, rollbacks, spins and a back-up. Every run starts at 70 points, the score for a correct average performance. The judge adds or subtracts up to 1.5 points per manoeuvre in half-point steps and deducts penalties for faults. The highest score wins.
Most are American Quarter Horses, plus Paints and Appaloosas: compact, agile horses with powerful hindquarters and a calm nature.
Riders use a western saddle, and the horse wears smooth sliding plates on its hind feet to help it slide when it stops. With a curb bit the rider holds the reins in one hand; whips are banned, spurs are allowed, and a helmet is the safest choice.
The best-known events are the NRHA Futurity for three-year-olds in the USA (held since 1966), the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City and the NRHA European Futurity.
Start at a western riding club, learning first to ride calmly at all gaits in a western saddle. Fast manoeuvres come gradually, on an experienced horse and with a coach.
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) was founded in the USA in 1966. Reining was an FEI discipline from 2000 to 2021, and today the NRHA sets the standards worldwide.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nrha.com, stablemanagement.com, en.wikipedia.org