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Reining is a western riding competition for horses where the riders guide the
horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done
at the lope (known more commonly worldwide as the canter) and gallop; the
fastest of the horse gaits. Reining is often described as a Western form of
dressage riding, as it requires the horse to be responsive and in tune with its
rider, whose aids should not be easily seen, and judges the horse on its ability
to perform a set pattern of movements.
Origins
Throughout American history, dating back to the earliest Spanish settlers in
what today is Mexico and the Southwestern United States, including Texas and
California, ranchers needed to manage cattle from horseback. Cattle were moved,
branded, doctored, sorted, and herded, often on open range without the benefit
of fences, barns or other means of holding the animals. A good cowboy needed a
quick and nimble horse, one that could change directions quickly, stop "on a
dime," and sprint after an errant cow. The horse needed to be controlled mostly
by legs and weight, ridden with only one hand and a light touch on the reins, so
that the cowboy's attention could also be on tasks that could include handling a
lariat (to rope cattle), opening a gate, or simply waving a hand, hat or rope to
move along a reluctant herd animal. Informal demonstrations of these ideal
characteristics amongst ranch cowboys and vaqueros evolved into the sport of
reining, as well as the related events of cutting and working cow horse as well
as several other horse show classes.
Other nations with traditions of herding livestock on vast areas, such as
Australia and Argentina, developed similar traditions that have blended into the
sport as it has expanded worldwide.
Movements
The reining pattern includes an average of eight to twelve movements which must
be executed by the horse. Patterns require the following movements:
* Circles: the horse must perform large, fast circles at a near-gallop and
smaller, slow circles at a lope. They should be perfectly round, with the rider
dictating the pace of the horse. There should be an easily seen change of speed
as the rider transitions from the large, fast to the small, slow circles. Most
circles incorporate changes of direction that require a flying change of lead.
* Flying change: the horse changes its leading front and hind legs at the lope
mid-stride, during the suspension phase of the gait. The horse should not break
gait nor change speed. While completing a change at speed can improve one's
score, precision is the most important factor in judging: A horse taking more
than one stride to complete the change, or a horse that changes early, late, or
that changes only the front feet and not the hind feet will be penalized.
* Rundown: the horse gallops or "runs" along the long side of the arena, at
least 20 feet (6 m) from the fence or rail. A rundown is a required movement
prior to a sliding stop or a rollback.
* Sliding Stop: the horse goes from a gallop immediately to a complete halt,
planting its hind feet in the footing and allowing its hind feet to slide
several feet, while continuing to let its front feet "walk" forward. The back
should be raised upward and hindquarters come well underneath. A particularly
powerful stop may, depending on arena conditions, produce flying dirt and a
cloud of dust. The movement should finish in a straight line, and the horse's
position should not change. This movement is a crowd favorite, along with spins
(see below).
* Back or Backup: the horse backs up quickly for at least 10 feet (3 m). The
horse must back in a perfectly straight line, stop when asked and hesitate a
moment before the next movement. It is judged on how quick, smooth and straight
the line is.
* Rollback: the horse immediately, without hesitation, performs a 180-degree
turn after halting from a sliding stop, and immediately goes forward again into
a lope. The horse must turn on its hindquarters, bringing its hocks well under,
and the motion should be continuous with no hesitation.
* Spins or Turnarounds: beginning from a standstill, the horse spins 360 degrees
or more (up to four and one-quarter full turns) in place around its stationary
inside hind leg. The hind pivot foot remains in essentially the same location
throughout the spin, though the horse will pick it up and put it down as it
turns. Spins are judged on correctness, smoothness, and cadence. Speed adds to
the difficulty and will improve the score of a correctly done spin. A pattern
requires at least one set of spins in each direction. Horses must stop the spin
in the designated place or be penalized for over or under spinning. The term
Pivot is sometimes used to describe a turn on the hindquarters of up to 360
degrees where the horse has to keep a rear pivot foot stationary. In 4-H
competition, pivots of 90, 180, or 360 degrees are sometimes used in pattern
classes to introduce youth riders to reining concepts.
* Pause or Hesitate: the horse is asked to stand still for a few seconds to
"settle" between certain movements in the reining pattern, particularly after
spins. Pauses are not judged as a movement per se, but a horse that is
ill-mannered or behaves with impatience when asked to wait will be penalized.
Scoring
The horse begins with a score of 70. Points are added or subtracted by 0.5, 1,
and 1.5 point increments for each of the 7 to 8 maneuvers in the designated
pattern. Each part of the pattern is judged on precision, smoothness, and
finesse, and increased speed increases the difficulty of most movements and the
potential for a high score. A score of 70 is considered an average score for a
horse that made no errors but also did not perform with any particularly
exceptional ability. A score below 70 reflects deductions for incorrectly
performed movements or misbehavior of the horse, a score above 70 reflects that
some or all movements were above average. A score over 80 would reflect an
exceptional performance. Significant errors, such as an overspin (more than one
quarter turn), will result in a "zero score", which might still allow a horse in
a small class to earn a ribbon for last place (awards are given to the top
three, five, six or ten competitiors, depending on the type of competition and
sanctioning organization). Major mistakes, such as a rider going off-pattern,
result in disqualification, also called a "no score," which prevents the horse
from earning any award, even if it is the only horse in the class.
The horse
Reining may be performed by any horse, but the Stock horse breeds, particularly
the American Quarter Horse, dominate the field. The reining horse must be agile,
quick, and very responsive to the rider's commands. Powerful hindquarters are
required to hold position in a sliding stop or a rollback, excellent
coordination is required for proper spins and flying lead changes. Correct leg
conformation is essential, as the limbs and joints are often under considerable
stress in competition. The horse must also have an excellent temperament to
perform with both speed and precision.
Equipment and attire
Riders must use a western saddle. Spurs are allowed, but whips are not. Bridles
are western-styled, without a noseband or caveson. There are very strict rules
about what types of bits and bosals are legal.
For protection, horses usually wear splint boots or polo wraps on the cannons of
their lower front legs as well as skid boots on their hind fetlocks. Bell boots,
which wrap around the pastern and protect the hoof and coronary band, are also
usually seen, sometimes only on the front feet, other times on all four feet.
Riders must wear a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, a cowboy hat, and cowboy boots. In
most competitions, they also wear chaps. Gloves are optional. There has
historically been less difference between men's and women's attire in reining
than in most western events, though women's clothing is more influenced by
fashion trends from Western pleasure competition, and thus women sometimes wear
brighter colors, and are more apt to add a decorated jacket or vest, though
usually not as flashy as in other horse show events.
Bit and Hackamore rules
Horses in most types of reining competition are required to perform in a curb
bit. In most cases, riders with a horse in a curb must give all rein commands
with only one hand.
Riders may use both hands when a horse is ridden with a snaffle bit or a bosal
hackamore. However, snaffles and hackamores ridden with both hands are usually
limited only to special classes for horses between the ages of three and five
years old. Most of the time, with the exception of "freestyle" classes, snaffle
bit and hackamore horses do not compete directly against curb bit horses, though
specific details vary depending on the particular sanctioning organization. In
the last thirty years, the snaffle bit is the more common headgear used on
younger horses, but in the past, the hackamore was more common. Some local or
regional competitions offer a non-sanctioned "novice horse" division where
horses of any age who have limited experience as reining horses can be ridden
two-handed in a snaffle.
Sometimes reining classes at breed shows are split into "junior horse" and
"senior horse" divisions. Depending on the breed, Junior horses are either 3, 4
or 5 years old, and allowed to show in a snaffle or bosal. Senior horses who age
out of the junior horse divisions at age six must be shown in a curb. The rules
have changed over the years to reduce the stress on young horses. Junior horse
devisions at one time were limited to horses that were only 3 and, sometimes, 4
years old. Expansion to age five parallels the standards set by the FEI and in
endurance competitions, recognizing that the physical and mental development of
most young horses is not considered complete until that time. Further, though
many western stock horse breeds are started under saddle at the age of two, they
generally are not physically or mentally ready to be entered into any type of
reining competition at that age and in some cases are prohibited from entering
any performance class until at least 2-1/2 years old. Both the NRHA and many
breed associations offer snaffle bit futurities, usually for three-year-old
horses, which pay very large purses.
Reining competition
Reining as a sport was first recognized by the American Quarter Horse
Association (AQHA) in 1949, and by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
in its western division and within a number of its breed divisions. Beginning in
1966, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), was formed in the United
States, and developed worldwide membership as well as standardized rules and
patterns that were gradually adopted in whole or part by other organizations,
including the USEF and AQHA. The sport of reining became an FEI-recognized
discipline in 2000, and international competitions such as the World Equestrian
Games are now governed by the FEI in cooperation with the NRHA.
Individual divisions at a reining competition vary somewhat depending on whether
they are sanctioned by the NRHA or another organization. However, standard
classes include those limited to junior or senior horses, to horses of a
specific age (such as three year olds), classes for professional, "non-pro," or
amateur riders (those who do not work with horses for pay), youth riders of
various ages, adult riders over age 40 or 50, as well as open events for all
competitors. Classes may also be limited by the experience level of the horse or
the rider.
National
In individual nations where reining competitions are held, national
organizations usually oversee the sport. For example, in the United States and
Canada, where reining is quite popular, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)
is the lead organization, creating patterns and developing judging standards. It
sanctions events open to all breeds. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
works with the NRHA to sanction breed competitions open to individual horse
breeds, such as Morgans or Arabians. Breed organizations that sanction their own
shows, including those for Quarter Horses (AQHA), Appaloosas (ApHC), and
American Paint Horses (APHA) also work with the NRHA. Reining classes can be
held at a stand-alone competition just for reiners, or as one category within
many different classes offered at a horse show.
International
International competitions are regulated by the International Federation for
Equestrian Sports (FEI). Reining is growing in popularity around the world and
is one of the world's fastest growing horse sports. Its popularity has spread to
Europe and beyond, especially to Australia and Germany, and it is one of the
latest additions to the World Equestrian Games, first included at the 2002 Games
in Jerez, Spain.
Freestyle
Freestyle reining allows a horse and rider team to incorporate reining movements
into a three and one-half minute musical routine, akin to the KUR Freestyle
competition in Dressage, but with elements that resemble the freestyle events in
human competitions such as figure skating. Under NRHA rules, costumes are
allowed, though not required; riders may ride with one, two or even no hands on
any type of NRHA approved bit; props, within certain limits, are allowed; and
the show management may allow special arena lighting. Freestyle reining
competitions have no specific rules as to saddle, though humane equipment is
required. Allowing "no hands" means that some competitors may perform without a
bridle, which increases the difficulty of the movements. The rider must include
a specified number of spins, stops and flying lead changes in a performance.
Rollbacks, rein backs and dressage type maneuvers such as the half-pass may be
added and scored. Competitors are judged on technical merit and artistic
impression. At some competitions, an applause meter is added and may contribute
to the artistic impression portion of the score. From
wikipedia.
