At the smaller shows (nrha sactioned), I mostly see women and only the trainers are men. But yeah, it is sort of funny that there are so many men.
Not many women, eh?
I noticed that too. Perhaps I should be looking into that for my small daughter. 
[QUOTE=arnika;5120566]
Thanks, SxO. I’ve had horses anticipate dressage patterns before so I understand that perfectly. :)[/QUOTE]
No problem!
I can’t imagine the horses last that long, competing.
Ah, I don’t believe most last long at the level these horses are at. I’m actually sort of surprised at some of the ‘older’ (10-12 year old) horses are holding their own.
Actually, it’s more of a recent addition, but the NRHA shows have like 7 year old horse class, which, if that’s not sort of a mention that they don’t last long. It’s really hard on their hocks and some of the younger horses (4/5) really don’t show for very long before they start getting some sort of slight swelling after being in their stalls for a while.
A big thing that I think really wears out the horses the fastest is the stop, so in the winter I don’t work on them at all, and in the summer I only practice them once a week in PRIME stopping footing. Some horses are truly capable of completely injuring themselves because of how deep they stop too, so that’s probably another reason why they don’t last super long.
Most don’t compete at the upper levels that long. And most don’t practice the manuevers in pattern once they have them down (helps prevent the horse from anticipating too). But most do go on to teach newer riders after they’ve competed at upper levels.
I find it interesting that they allow voice commands in this sport. They were talking about Shaun Flarida humming as a cue. Oh, that they would allow that in dressage!
I see quite a few similarities in judging between this and dressage. The horse’s carriage, rider position, cues given and response from the horse.
That Belgian was quite good it looked like. The European riders seem to have the horses’ head position much lower overall than the Americans. Perhaps they train with more contact in the beginning and the horse learns to travel that low from the get go. Some of them are almost hitting their chins with their knees in their lopes. The Americans seem to travel with heads about even with their withers.
Now what I don’t understand about reiners, is the big mane thing. I understand letting it grow out, and maybe some people do really truly like that look and enjoy keeping it that long and nice, but wouldn’t it be sort of an interference with the neck reining?
[QUOTE=SxO;5120598]
Ah, I don’t believe most last long at the level these horses are at. I’m actually sort of surprised at some of the ‘older’ (10-12 year old) horses are holding their own.
Actually, it’s more of a recent addition, but the NRHA shows have like 7 year old horse class, which, if that’s not sort of a mention that they don’t last long. It’s really hard on their hocks and some of the younger horses (4/5) really don’t show for very long before they start getting some sort of slight swelling after being in their stalls for a while.
A big thing that I think really wears out the horses the fastest is the stop, so in the winter I don’t work on them at all, and in the summer I only practice them once a week in PRIME stopping footing. Some horses are truly capable of completely injuring themselves because of how deep they stop too, so that’s probably another reason why they don’t last super long.[/QUOTE]
Well, plus the the futurities, etc. The top level 2 and 3 year olds must be worked pretty hard.
Ha! This next rider was a pony clubber who rode polocross.
I’m watching NBC and the USEF network coverage at the same time and the same thing is not on both videos…is one live and one not? I thought both were but obviously they are different haha!
[QUOTE=SxO;5120615]
Now what I don’t understand about reiners, is the big mane thing. I understand letting it grow out, and maybe some people do really truly like that look and enjoy keeping it that long and nice, but wouldn’t it be sort of an interference with the neck reining?[/QUOTE]
Neck Reining? at this level? lol. Most really great reiniers, those guys could ride brideless and still do it right. and no, the mane doesn’t interfer with neck reining usually. the slightest movement is felt by good horses.
A chick on a Chic!
[QUOTE=arnika;5120606]
I find it interesting that they allow voice commands in this sport. They were talking about Shaun Flarida humming as a cue. Oh, that they would allow that in dressage!
I see quite a few similarities in judging between this and dressage. The horse’s carriage, rider position, cues given and response from the horse.
That Belgian was quite good it looked like. The European riders seem to have the horses’ head position much lower overall than the Americans. Perhaps they train with more contact in the beginning and the horse learns to travel that low from the get go. Some of them are almost hitting their chins with their knees in their lopes. The Americans seem to travel with heads about even with their withers.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, don’t say the word “whoa” to a trained reiner unless you really mean it :winkgrin: We hum to the horses alot of times in the transition from the large fast to the small slow circles. With the hum you can’t necessarily hear it from the sidelines, but if you stand at the rail and watch the reiners you can certainly hear them say whoa.
As for the head carriage, you will see a bit of variety from trainer to trainer and even across horses even here in the states. The lower or level head carriage has definitely become popular. I personally prefer to ride the horses that really pick up their backs and lower their heads using their entire body in the stops, but it definitely takes a lot of power to stop that way.
[QUOTE=SxO;5120615]
Now what I don’t understand about reiners, is the big mane thing. I understand letting it grow out, and maybe some people do really truly like that look and enjoy keeping it that long and nice, but wouldn’t it be sort of an interference with the neck reining?[/QUOTE]
I just started Western lessons and SOOO much is leg and seat. Watch the guys’ hands, they’re really not doing much.
Not really, least if you know what you are doing.
Anticipating the next move is the biggest problem you have (and you could see that pretty easy in the NBC telecast today). They get ridden but are certainly not overdrilled-the best ones, the ones really bred for it? They sort of come out of the womb knowing what’s expected and need very little “teaching”.
I very much enjoy watching the reining, except the sliding stops. They look amazing, but they also make me cringe. I’m not surprised that hock problems are common, but it makes me sad if these horses are really “too old” to compete at 10-12 years old because of this. I mean, granted, race horses are done long before that (although some go on to other wonderful careers), but I’m not sure that’s such a great thing, either. I have an OTTB and I would give alot to have gotten him before he trained for his remarkably unsuccessful 4 race career, which led to all kinds of subsequent joint and back problems that will plague him all his life. I wish we could find a way to keep the challenge, the competitive aspect and the stunning rides of all of our horse sports, without doing so much damage to our equine partners. Anyway, I guess this is a downer, and like I said, I really am impressed with the reining horses and riders, just depressed to learn that it sounds like we are creating yet another class of “OTTBs”.
[QUOTE=Jasper’sMom;5121280]
I very much enjoy watching the reining, except the sliding stops. They look amazing, but they also make me cringe. I’m not surprised that hock problems are common, but it makes me sad if these horses are really “too old” to compete at 10-12 years old because of this. I mean, granted, race horses are done long before that (although some go on to other wonderful careers), but I’m not sure that’s such a great thing, either. I have an OTTB and I would give alot to have gotten him before he trained for his remarkably unsuccessful 4 race career, which led to all kinds of subsequent joint and back problems that will plague him all his life. I wish we could find a way to keep the challenge, the competitive aspect and the stunning rides of all of our horse sports, without doing so much damage to our equine partners. Anyway, I guess this is a downer, and like I said, I really am impressed with the reining horses and riders, just depressed to learn that it sounds like we are creating yet another class of “OTTBs”.[/QUOTE]
Some are injured… but the majority, the trainers stop them from competing at such a high level, before there is an issue. There aren’t that many classes for aged horses, so they go on to teach newer people the ropes, at a lower level. Tina is a reining mare at my barn… won about 50k in her heyday. She was pretty good. She then was bought by my BO, who’s 3 sons have all learned the ropes on her. she’s now 22 and is showing some signs of being ouchy, so now she’s teach walk lessons (as in … the first horse someone gets on… and do nothing but stay on the lunge). She had a few foals in there too.
[QUOTE=DandyMatiz;5121295]
Some are injured… but the majority, the trainers stop them from competing at such a high level, before there is an issue. There aren’t that many classes for aged horses, so they go on to teach newer people the ropes, at a lower level. Tina is a reining mare at my barn… won about 50k in her heyday. She was pretty good. She then was bought by my BO, who’s 3 sons have all learned the ropes on her. she’s now 22 and is showing some signs of being ouchy, so now she’s teach walk lessons (as in … the first horse someone gets on… and do nothing but stay on the lunge). She had a few foals in there too.[/QUOTE]
I’m glad to hear that. They are something else to watch, that’s for sure. 
[QUOTE=Jasper’sMom;5121280]
I very much enjoy watching the reining, except the sliding stops. They look amazing, but they also make me cringe. I’m not surprised that hock problems are common, but it makes me sad if these horses are really “too old” to compete at 10-12 years old because of this. I mean, granted, race horses are done long before that (although some go on to other wonderful careers), but I’m not sure that’s such a great thing, either. I have an OTTB and I would give alot to have gotten him before he trained for his remarkably unsuccessful 4 race career, which led to all kinds of subsequent joint and back problems that will plague him all his life. I wish we could find a way to keep the challenge, the competitive aspect and the stunning rides of all of our horse sports, without doing so much damage to our equine partners. Anyway, I guess this is a downer, and like I said, I really am impressed with the reining horses and riders, just depressed to learn that it sounds like we are creating yet another class of “OTTBs”.[/QUOTE]
And also, this may be sort of an odd example, AM Good Ole Boy (can’t remember if the Ole or Old is right) was originally a reiner. Then he switched to jumping and seems to be doing pretty well.
