About VRHA

The Victorian Reining Horse Association Inc. (VRHA) was formed in 1991. The VRHA is an Affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA USA). The VRHA holds one affiliate represented seat on the NRHA Oceania Council.

The VRHA run shows and training clinics at venues located throughout Victoria as well as social functions for its members, with annually showcasing the Victorian State Championship Dery Show and bi annually hosting the NRHA Oceania Affiliate championships.

Entry level competition is available for those starting out in Reining and to gain experience and confidence to compete in the National Reining Horse Association sanctioned categories. The youth program is supported and encouraged by the VRHA.

A. GENERAL

"To rein a horse is 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 and dictated to completely."

Jim Willoughby |  NRHA Hall of Fame Inductee   

Reining

Reining is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports today. Reining is the Western equestrian sport that displays horses and riders in an exciting and stylish way with its purpose to show the horse's athleticism, smoothness, finesse, obedience and attitude. Riders guide the horse through a precise pattern of circles, spins and stops.  All work is done at the lope and gallop.  Reining horses are presented to a judge, demonstrating the athletic ability of a ranch horse.  Judged individually as they compete these specific patterns, one or more judges will score each horse.

Reining Competition A Reining Competition is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a horse within the confines of a show arena. Contestants are required to run one of the approved patterns.  Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.  The judging system is recognised as the leading format for judging an equine event that combines technical and stylistic elements coupled with consideration of  "degree of difficulty".   Each pattern begins with a score of 70.  The scoring system then adds or subtracts .5 to 1.5 on each manoeuvre, as the judge watches the horses' execution of the pattern, a scribe keeps track of each judge's score on a scoresheet.  Scores are tabulated and announced at the end of each run.  Credits are given for smoothness, attitude, finesse, quickness and authority when performing the various manoeuvres.    Controlled speed in the pattern raises the level of difficulty and makes the reining horse more exciting and pleasing to watch.  Increased level of difficulty is rewarded with higher scores if the manoeuvres are still performed correctly... Reining, one of the most popular and fastest growing Equine events in the world.   Reining Patterns

How Reining is Judge