I really enjoy reining, and have watched it at the last two WEGs… I appreciate the precision and training. In the second episode, I was very interested in the treatment for Cody’s horse. Within 36 hrs of the show, a strong muscle relaxer was injected. Doesn’t reining have drug tests? More interesting to me was the vet’s suggestion to back the horse up for 100 ft after training to stretch out the Glutes. Interesting. Comments on that??
In the first episode, I was dismayed by the snatching reins used by Andrea, and by the drilling of the spin as his son was trying to figure it out. Unlike a dressage canter piro, the spins have a planted hoof so there is lots of torque.
The second episode was a bit more interesting; like dressage, some competitors seem to get a bonus (the dragged arena) and others complain about it.
I’m sure your autocorrect got you - its Cade, not Cody. Also, the editing on that episode was very odd. We do not know what drug was injected, although I have my suspicions. The clinic the horse was treated in was in Pilot Point, TX - which is at least a 15 hour drive to Scottsdale. The horse was not injected and put on a trailer to haul 15 hours and show right away. I would guess it was a week+ out before the show when that vet visit occurred. No comments on the backing up to stretch the glutes.
As far as @LuvRedHeads question of who my favorite of the group is - I’d have to say Casey Deary. He is the one I know the best and they are making him look like a bit of a putz who can’t make it without Abby.
NRHA does have drug tests. You can read about their medications program here: https://nrha.com/welfare
Well, we don’t know what was injected or how much or the exact time frame or if it was allowable so many hours before with a med report on file. Like some commonly used relaxants at USEF shows. Plus was not the Glutes but isolated to the right Hamstring . And, last time I was watching Reining, the final riders called back for a second round, the ones sitting on top, get a drag before they go in. Might have been more tten one rider that got edited out. They drag before the top few finalists in Big Eq Medals and big money Jumpers too. Thought the judges got that right anyway, spins were just a bit tighter and ended crisper as well as the transition to slow circle was sharper. Pretty equal on the rest of the pattern. IMHO.
Also probably good to keep in mind today’s Reiner is highly specialized and selectively bred for today’s NRHA skill set. It’s not the same as the earlier versions. In many ways it’s similar to today’s Show Hunter. You wouldnt want to work cattle out in the brush on the Reiner or ride to the hounds across varied terrain with the sand ring Show Hunter. Just different skills.
Happen to prefer the NRCHA, Reined Cow Horse’s that actually do a dry Reining pattern, cut cattle and work a pattern with a single steer. They score each specialty and award it but they do all three and the big winners get the combined high scores. It’s a little different skill set and more versatile horse to perform it. But cattle are expensive any more and some arenas will host Reining but nothing with live cattle. Sign of the times I guess.
Getting a kick out of watching this. Production values are much better then what we usually see with horse stuff. And I’m learning.
Just a note - Cactus is a one go Derby. There are no finals.
Missed that the way it was edited and narrated. Kept saying they were coming back, assumed it was for a second run. Not just on a different horse and they did skip around from horse to horse on mostly similar looking horses without even a barn name. My bad. Will pay more attention and skip the second glass of wine in the future.
The editing on the second episode jumped around a lot (eg Cade’s horse going to the vet and then showing), so I get how it was confusing.
Thanks for clearing up my misinformation re: the injection, but I was sure they kept saying 36 hrs before the big show… otherwise, I typed Cody (my misremembering) and Glute (again,my misremembering).
They did say 36 hours several times. IIRC USEF allows some muscle relaxants in HJ shows 36 hours or even less with certain restrictions. Robaxin…maybe. Vet administered declared in office. But don’t know what was injected directly into that cramped hamstring however they know what they are doing with show rules.
They did say 36 hours prior to the class but the editing looked like the next day. They condensed a…what, 3 or 4 day show into 20 min. Not including (longish) commercials.
If you want to learn more about reining, check out the videos by the top trainers. This show is probably not going to do a great job of explaining things.
Out of the whole cast, I really love Casey as a trainer. Most trainers looks for a very specific type of horse…99% of the horses you will see Andrea ride are very elegant, extremely low necked and bridled…it’s just his type and the type of horse he chooses to train. And there’s nothing wrong with it.
Casey on the other hand just lets the horse carry itself in whatever style it wants and he doesn’t discriminate against higher necked or very rigid horses.
I also have a lot of respect for him because he’s taken some super nice and talented horses but maybe not as good in the brain department and made them into phenomenal horses that most other people would have not given the time of day too or they would have tried to change it too much and fried it.
Americassupermodel was an wild animal in the warmup at the congress last year. Every time he got to middle she was slam on the brakes and just kept trying him everywhere. He just kept pitching her rein and riding her around…guess who won the futurity finals? Guess who wouldn’t have won had he crammed on her for being a donkey in practice?
Just have a lot of respect for him as a trainer and person. His program is very black and white and he is an excellent teacher.
See now, that is some really cool information - exactly what I was hoping for! I will watch Casey more closely. He and Craig Schmersal were kind of flying under my radar, as they’re a little quieter and more laid back as portrayed on the reality show.
The second episode held my interest much more than the first did, as it focused more on the mechanics of reining, the horses, and the performances.
Casey is also very adamantly against drugging…he said at one time when he first started, it was a part of his program but he learned that heat, humidity, an unplanned lunch break or a run off for a win could really screw up the timing of drugs and it was much easier (and honest) to not be a pharmacist and just get the horses broke and trusting him.
It’s huge to me when a trainer is willing to admit that he did it but also to explain why it’s not something you can build champions on and have win after win.
By the way, on the topic of drug testing, every single horse in the Run For A Million will be rested…not random or just the winner, every single horse. Cools beans if you ask me!
And they have to pass a jog - FEI style. Very huge kudos to TRFAM and Brumley Management for that decision.
I found the episodes on youtube and am all caught up!
I like the show, except for the whistle they dub in at the start of a run :lol: but I would guess that helps the non-horse viewer realize the showing is starting vs the warming up.
Its a cool show, Casey Deary seems so funny and likeable!
Also, the actual Run For A Million is this weekend!
Would you post a link to those?
I missed the second and third, did get to see yesterdays fourth.
Casey Deary is a nice, well respected person in person.
He is approachable, never short with anyone and will help when asked.
That is just him, not just on film.
Thanks!
Wonder why that one was not coming up for me when I searched.
Yes the FEI style jog only with awesome hair.
