With fans stretching around the globe, reining is a virtual rising star in the performance horse industry. As reining grows in popularity, its fans quickly learn to appreciate the athletic talent of the graceful reining horse as it spins dizzying circles and punctuates a pattern with powerful stops. While the horses themselves garner admiration and respect, the trainers who ride them also have become international sensations.

Reining is the newest event on the slate of activities to gunning to be added to Olympic competition. Perhaps even more intriguing is the coming of the World Equestrian Games to Kentucky in 2010. With hundreds of thousands of fans converging on the landmark Kentucky Horse Park, reining will take center stage as the only western riding event at the Games. The 2006 U.S. Team, consisting of Matt Mills, Aaron Ralston, Dell Hendricks and Tim McQuay, generated a huge fan following after capturing the team gold medal at the WEG in Aachen, Germany.

Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch-type horse in the confines of a show arena. Contestants are required to run one of several approved patterns, which include small, slow circles, large, fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360-degree spins and sliding stops.

Reining competitions take place within an arena. In the arena, markers are used to enable riders to better follow pattern proportions. Because of the nature of the sport, reining requires special footing to allow top performance and ensure soundness, much the same as jumpers require well-designed courses. The ideal footing is typically a clay base with a combination of sand and silt as a loose topping.

Competitors in reining events range in age, and are from a variety of backgrounds. Reining competitions can be found all over the world. Reining horses can be of any breed, sex, color or size. All riders must wear appropriate western attire while showing. Reining rules are established by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the governing body of the sport of reining since 1966.

Using a highly objective scoring system, the NRHA set the standards for reining competition. Reining horses are judged individually as they complete one of several specified patterns. One or more judges will score each horse between 0 and infinity, with 70 denoting an average score. Each horse automatically begins the pattern with a 70. The scoring system then gives or takes away up to 1.5 points on each maneuver. In scoring, credit is given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority when performing the various maneuvers. Controlled speed in the pattern raises the level of difficulty and makes the reining horse exciting to watch.

Reining maneuvers originated from moves that a cow horse must use in performing its duties, and have been refined to the high level of competition existing today. The NRHA has approved 10 reining patterns. All patterns are divided into seven or eight maneuvers. The required movements are: walk-ins, stops, spins, rollbacks, circles, hesitations, lead changes, run-downs/run-arounds.

·  Walk-In: Brings the horse from the gate to the center of the arena to begin its pattern; should appear relaxed and confident.

·  Stops: The act of slowing the horse from a lope to a stop position by bringing the hind legs under the horse in a locked position sliding on the hind feet.

·  Spins: A series of 360-degree turns, executed over a stationary hind leg; location of hind quarters should be fixed at the start and maintained throughout the spin.

·  Rollbacks: A 180-degree reversal of forward motion completed by running to a stop, turning the shoulders back to the opposite direction and departing at a canter, as a continuous motion.

·  Circles: Done at the lope, of designated size and speed; demonstrates control, willingness to guide and degree of difficulty in speed and speed changes.

·  Hesitate: Act of demonstrating horse's ability to stand in a relaxed manner at a designated time in the pattern; horse should be motionless and relaxed.

·  Lead changes: Act of changing the leading legs of the front and rear pairs, at a lope, when changing direction.

· Run-downs and Run-arounds: Demonstrate control and gradual increase of speed to the stop.

Parts of this information provided courtesy of the Federation Equestre Internationale Web site, found at www.fei.org.