In a reining class, exhibitors perform a specified pattern on an individual basis.
The guidelines for reining that are generally accepted and established by the National Reining Horse Association are as follows:
- To rein a horse is not only to guide it but also to control its every movement.
- The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely.
- Any movement on its own must be considered a lack of control.
- All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of/or temporary loss of control and therefore a fault that must be marked down according to severity of the deviation.
- Credit should be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness, and authority of performing various maneuvers while using controlled speed which raises the difficulty level and makes the horse more exciting and pleasing to watch to an audience.
Class Procedures
Exhibitors are expected to perform specific maneuvers during the specified pattern, with the objective of reaching the aforementioned level of performance. These maneuvers encompass:
- Circles
- large fast circles
- small slow circles
- Lead changes
- Spins
- Sliding stops
- Rollbacks
- Backup
Circles
When performing circles, it is important to choose a specific area within the arena that has a shared center point. It is crucial that there is a noticeable contrast in both the size and speed of the large circles, which should be fast, and the small circles, which should be slow. Throughout the execution of the circles, the horse must display both obedience and a willingness to follow the rider’s guidance.
Lead Changes
Lead changes are performed at the canter during a change of direction in the pattern, and they involve the front and hind legs changing leads. The horse’s ability to display control and precision is essential during these lead changes.
Spins
Spins are a series of 360-degree turns performed in a row, preferably with the inside hind leg staying still. The horse should display cadence, smoothness, and speed while executing spins without moving from its position.
Sliding Stops
Sliding stops occur when a horse changes its speed from a canter to a stop position while moving straight. The front legs of the horse should move without restriction, while the hind legs are positioned beneath the body and maintain contact with the ground throughout the slide.
Rollbacks
Rollbacks involve executing a fluid continuation of the movement from a sliding stop, resulting in a 180-degree turn over the hocks. After completing a rollback, the horse should seamlessly transition into a canter.
Backup
The backup refers to the horse’s quick execution of a straight-line movement in reverse or backwards.
Scoring
According to Rule 481 in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations, scoring will be done on a scale from 0 to infinity, with 70 being the average performance. Points will be given or deducted from the maneuvers based on a range from -1.5 to +1.5. -1.5 indicates an extremely poor performance, -1 indicates a very poor performance, -0.5 indicates a poor performance, 0 indicates an average performance, +0.5 indicates a good performance, +1 indicates a very good performance, and +1.5 indicates an excellent performance. It is important to note that the maneuver scores will be determined separately from penalty points.
No score
If a contestant receives this type of score, they will be disqualified and will not be able to participate in their remaining classes for the day.
- Infraction of state or federal law pertaining to the exhibition, care and custody of horses within state where event is held.
- Abuse of animal in ring and/or evidence that abuse has occurred prior to or during competition.
- Use of illegal equipment.
- Attachment which alters the movement of or circulation to the tail.
- Failure to dismount and present the horse and equipment for inspection by the judge.
- Disrespect or misconduct by the exhibitor.
Penalty scores
In the event of a penalty score of zero or disqualification, the rider will not be eligible to participate in the class, but they will still be able to compete in the remaining classes of the day.
- 0 or “DQ” or disqualification
- More than index finger between reins.
- Use of two hands (except in a snaffle).
- Failure to complete the pattern as written.
- Jogging in excess of half circle or half the length of the arena.
- Over spins of more than one-quarter turn.
- Fall to the ground by horse or rider. Fall of horse is defined as shoulder and/or hip and/or underline touches the ground.
- Dropping a rein that contacts the ground while the horse is in motion.
- Failure to wear appropriate western attire.
- 5 point penalties
- Spurring in front of the cinch.
- Use of either hand to instill fear or praise.
- Holding saddle horn.
- Blatant disobedience including kicking, biting, bucking rearing and striking.
- 2 point penalties
- Break of gait.
- Freeze up in spin or rollback.
- On walk in patterns, cantering prior to reaching the center of the arena and/or failure to stop or walk before executing a canter departure.
- On run in patterns, failure to be in a canter prior to reaching first marker.
- If a horse does not completely pass the specified marker before initiating the stop position.
Maneuver scores
As previously mentioned, maneuver scores and penalty scores are provided separately. Although the horse may incur penalties, if the horse’s performance appears impressive, they can be awarded a positive maneuver score ranging from 0.5 to 15.
On the 100 Mile Sliders Reining Club website, you can find an example of a judge’s card.
