My daughter is back in the western saddle with her previously western pleasure horse. He has much more impulsion than the usual WP horse and is enjoying his new training with more speed and impulsion. He has arthritis so training at a high level is not the goal, but local shows would be fantastic. But when I search for reining, I just don’t really seem to get anywhere. Should I instead be searching for another thing, and then reining would be inside that other type of show ? (He’s a paint bred from QH a few generations ago but does not qualify for QH)
Try NRHA shows, they have green as grass and other beginner classes that would fit.
There is much camaraderie at those shows, nice atmosphere to enjoy and learn with your horse.
Thanks, looks like there are none in my state but I will check to see if there’s an association in my state
Look for local horse-related FB groups-- often they are advertised on there, and if not you can ask for recommendations.
I rarely see reining at local or open shows in my area of North Texas - it’s just too time consuming for most small organizations to accommodate without enough competitors to make it profitable.
As mentioned above, NRHA shows will have green/rookie. You might also look into NRCHA (National Reined Cowhorse Assoc) or see if your state has something similar to SHOT (Stock Horse of Texas.) Both organizations included reining as one aspect of their competition for well-rounded cow horses.
Start your own? When Granddaughter wanted to try Ranch Horse, our local saddle club offered nothing except gaming and WP. So, I sponsored classes at every show. I found sponsors to offer extra in the jackpot if it was a payback class [$50 added money]. I made sure the ribbons were big and flashy --I personally looked up the rules, set the arena up (I had help from other parents/members), and eventually we had full blown Ranch Horse with a high point award for that series of rclasses (I RECALL it was Ranch Horse Showmanship, Ranch Horse Trail, Ranch Horse Riding, and maybe Ranch Horse Reining --but not sure on the last one). I called the judges to give them a head’s up that we were running a Ranch Horse class so they could double check the rules [some rules in Ranch Horse are different --when roping the cow’s head, all points go to the horse for standing still --none to the rider for technique or actually getting a loop over the cow’s head --at least at the time we were doing it, that was the rule]. So stop waiting for “someone else” to do it. Offer to sponsor reining classes at your local shows. Ranch Horse was my Granddaughter’s favorite. She aged out of 4-H so we are no longer participating --I heard that the Ranch Horse classes continue to be popular --even without my support!
1 Like
As far as I know in my entire STATE, there is not a show that has just reining. I’ve never even seen an NRHA show advertised anywhere near here. We have AQHA shows of course that offer reining, but there’s also lots of local open shows that have reining too.
I ditto the comment to watch on Facebook. Often, you can find out about small clubs that offer shows that might have a variety of events including reining.
Now there are a couple ranch horse shows in my arena that usually have 3 portions: trail, pattern, and reining. Obviously, you don’t have to do the others if they don’t interest you but you can show up and do the reining portion if you so desire! In my area, these are put on by local clubs, so again, check Facebook andn/or ask around!
Is your daughter working with a trainer? They may be able to help direct you to non-AQHA events with reining.
What state are you located in?
For all of you who can’t find reining shows in your state, go to NRHA.com and peruse their show schedule. It lists all shows both in the US and all over the globe. You don’t have to be a member to check this stuff out.
4H! I had an AQHA growing up but the best show system for me, and for my friends with grade horses, was 4-H 
Try American Ranch Horse Association. They have several classes.
What state are you in? Even NRHA shows have green Reiner classes where the rider can show 2 hands and do simple changes etc. The green Reiner classes are $20 and many facilities allow you to haul in which can make is more affordable.
I think the reason you don’t find reining classes at open shows is because it’s so specialized and if you have a Reiner you will probably end up at an nrha show and not an open show to show reining
It sounds like in addition to reining, you might look into ranch riding – a fun pattern class for a forward-moving western horse.
Look up the National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance – it has associations from all over the country – and they all would offer ranch riding and reining classes that would be a good fit. See if there’s any near you: https://ranchhorse.net/
In the southeast, the NRHA green reiner classes can be pretty competitive and reining classes at the local open show level are pretty much nonexistent. I second those suggesting 4-H or ranch horse if available in your area.
