Reining Training/Lessons

Most of the horses raised at Brigadoon Farms are trained to become reining horses. As stated in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) rulebook, "To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely"

What is reining?

Information on the NRHA website states that "reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena."

In NRHA competition, contestants must run one of ten approved NRHA patterns. Each of the ten patterns includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and sliding stops.

Why ride a reining horse?

There are multiple options for competion and those competions are not only fun, but can be lucritive. There are multiple divisions of reining competition offered at approved shows to enable competitors at all levels to participate, learn, and improve as they master the intricacies of one of the most exciting equine competition events.

In the past 10 years, NRHA membership has grown over 40 percent; the number of approved shows has almost tripled; and money earned in competions has gone from 1.3 million dollars to over 10 million dollars. In addition, reining is the first Western Discipline to accepted as a member of the United States Equistrian Team (USET). While reining is not yet an Olympic Event, membership in USET is the first step toward moving reining into that international area.

Do you have to be a reiner to ride a reining horse?

You do not have to want to become a reining horse competitor in order to ride a reining horse. Because a reining horse is trained to not only be guided, but to have his every moment controlled, a well trained reiner is fun to ride.

How can I learn whether or not I want to learn to ride or own a reining horse?

Because Brigadoon Farm owns and trains reiners, there are many options for you to get your own horse trained or to see if one of the Brigadoon Farm horses can convince to you to ride and/or own a reining horse. Contact us for more information about this program.

 

Rey stopping

 

Learning to spin

 

Rey on trail ride

 

 

 

Rey loping