The All Arounder: Issue #017

2010 World Equestrian Games,
The Reining Horse - A look at the Athlete and the Sport

September 2010

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The Reining Horse

The reining classes at some of the bigger horse shows can draw quite the crowd of fans, especially when the exhibitors are allowed to use their own creativity for some of the freestyle classes.

In a reining class, the horse and rider have to complete an approved reining pattern.

It is a highly technical class requiring strength, balance, and timing for both horse and rider. Below we take a look at the class and the athletes that compete in this arena.

Reining: The Class:
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has 11 different approved patterns from which the judges at AQHA approved shows may choose from.

Each exhibitor in the class will perform their patterns individually. A reining horse is judged once it steps into the ring.

According to the AQHA rulebook, any deviation from the posted pattern is considered a loss of control of your horse. A reining horse must be willing to complete the pattern following the guidence of the rider.

Completing the pattern in a smooth, quick, and accurate manner will bank the horse and rider team more credit than one that was performed less accurate.

The patterns all consist of some combination of running, rollbacks, sliding stops, circles at varying lope speeds, lead changes, and spinning.

Each pattern offered by the AQHA varies, but the core maneuvers are found in each of the patterns. At many open shows, they tend to refer to a specific pattern approved by the AQHA to compete at. If you are showing with another association, you may want to check that associations rulebook before signing up for your first reining class.

The Reining Horse:
Most experts agree that most any horse can be taught the basic reining manuevers and exercises. However, good conformation and disposition are also very important in a reining horse.

Poor conformation can limit the horse's ability to execute some of the technical and taxing elements of the reining pattern.

The repeated sliding stops, spins, and fast speeds put a good amount of stress on the horse and if conformation is poor, there may be issues with soundness in the future.

Good conformation in the reining horse athlete includes straight legs, low head carriage, and good overall balance through the body.

For more information on the reining horse and what it takes to compete in this class, click the link below:

http://www.stock-horse-show-source.com/reining-horse.html

2010 World Equestrian Games

Helpful Show Information Links:
General Show Information: http://www.stock-horse-show-source.com/world-equestrian-games.html

Event Schedule: http://www.alltechfeigames.com/events/default.aspx?id=556&ekmensel=c580fa7b_8_52_btnlink

Ticket Information: http://www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets/default.aspx?id=192&ekmensel=c580fa7b_8_16_btnlink

Breaking News: http://www.alltechfeigames.com/news/default.aspx?id=140&ekmensel=c580fa7b_8_14_140_1&ekmensel=c580fa7b_8_14_btnlink

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