By

Alysse, Caitlin & Rachel Ginn

The Mechanics of Reining

Reining

To rein a horse is to 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. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of/or temporarily loss of control and therefore should be penalized accordingly. Credit should be given for smoothness, willing attitude, quickness and authority of performing various maneuvers.

Class Description

Each horse and rider team are judged separately

Judges mark each maneuver for quality and subtract penalty points is necessary for every maneuver in the pattern

Judges use score sheets to show penalties and quality scores for each maneuver

Each rider enters the ring with a score of “70” which denotes an average score , judges will add or subtract points from that score through maneuver performances & penalties

There are 7-8 maneuvers per pattern

Judging Reining Classes

10 Approved AQHA Reining Patterns(See AQHA Rule Book for More Detailed Info.)

Patterns should be worked as stated, not as drawn The drawn pattern is just to give the general idea of

what the pattern will look like in the arena. All horses will be judged immediately upon entering

the arena and judging will cease after the last maneuver. Any fault incurred prior to the commencement of the pattern will be scored according to the rules of judging.

All judges decisions are final

Patterns

Maneuvers Small, Slow Circles Large Fast Circles Stops Sliding Stops Spins Run Downs Rollbacks Back Lead Changes

Maneuver scores are subjective to the judges opinion and may vary from judge to judge. The most important factor as a judge is to determine what deserves a “Plus or a Minus” and must be consistent from horse to horse. Maneuver scores are to be determined independently of penalty points. (accuracy)

Scoring Maneuvers

Plus 1.5(1 ½ ) =

Excellent

1 = Very Good

.5(1/2) = Good

- 1.5(1 ½)=Extremely Poor

- 1 = Very Poor

- .5 (1/2) = Poor

Scores (Maneuver Points)

Minus

0 = Average

Penalties No Score “0” Score 5 point 2 point 1 point ½ point

"No Score" Abuse of Animal

Illegal Equipment

Use of Whips or Bats

Disrespect or Misconduct of Exhibitor

"O Score" 2 or more fingers

between reins Failure to complete

pattern as written Performing extra

maneuvers Balking or refusal where

pattern is delayed Horse over spins more

than a ¼ turn Fall to the ground by

horse or rider

5 Point Penalties Spurring in front of

cinchUse hand to instill

fear or praiseHolding saddle with

hand KickingBuckingRearingStriking

Break of GaitFreeze up in spin or rollbacksFailure to stop On walk-in-patterns, failure to stop or walk

before executing a lope departureOn run-in-patterns, failure to be in lope prior

to first markerHorse does not completely pass the specified

marker before initiating a stop position

2 Point Penalties

Faults Against HorseExcessive Open mouth Lack of smooth, straight

stops on haunchesRefusing to change leadAnticipating signalsStumblingBacking SidewaysKnocking over markers

Loosing stirrupFailure to go beyond

markers on rollbacks and stops

General Class RulesTo be Scored Accordingly, but not to be a Disqualifcation

Faults Against Rider

The Walk InBrings horse to the

center of the arena to begin the pattern.

Relaxed, confident, moving without intimidation.

CirclesManeuvers at the

lope of designated speed and size.

Controlled, easily guided, uniform circles of clearly defined differences in speed and size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQam-XcD0mg

Example of Circles

Hesitate Demonstrates the

horse’s ability to stand in a relaxed manner at a set time.

Quiet, and free of anticipation; waiting for next maneuver.

Spins360 degree turns

executed over a stationary inside hind leg. Hindquarters should remain fixed throughout.

Cadenced, smooth, flat with finesse and speed.

Lead ChangesAct of changing the

leading legs at a lope when changing the direction traveled.

• Front and rear pairs change simultaneously.

• Evaluate for smoothness & consistency in speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWd7YwZXiOw

Rundowns & Run-aroundsRuns through the middle of the arena or along the

sides or ends.

Dynamic, demonstrating control, and gradual increase in speed to the stop.

Rollbacks180 degree reversal of forward motion completed by running to a stop, rolling the shoulders back in the opposite direction over the hocks, and departing at the lope.Snappy, free of hesitation, with a slight pause allowed to regain footing.

Sliding StopsLonger, deeper slides are

preferred.

Brings horse from lope to stop, with the hocks close to the ground while walking out on the forehand. Horse should end the stop by bending the back, bringing the hind legs under the body while maintaining forward motion and cadence with the front legs.

BackupsHorse is moved in

reverse motion in a straight line a required distance, at least ten feet.

Straight and fast, tucking the nose and flexing at the poll.

Note: There are more penalties than are listed in the

presentation, so make sure you check your rulebooks and

judging guides

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGG7sgjTM4&feature=related

Thank You

Any

Questions?