By Christa Morris, NRHA
The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) held its first-ever NRHA Ride a Reiner during the 2010 Alltech® FEI World Equestrian Games giving nearly 300 riders the thrill of piloting a well-tuned reining horse. NRHA is ready to repeat the success at two upcoming major spectator events: the All American Quarter Horse Congress (October 13 – 14 in Columbus, Ohio) and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough World Finals (October 23 – 27 in Las Vegas, Nev.).
NRHA appreciates Corporate Partner Purina for their assistance in bringing the PBR event to fans in Las Vegas, as well as Brandon Brant, Shawn Flarida, Ollie Griffith, Aaron Ralston, Robin Schoeller, Brett Walters and Mack Weaver for providing their expertise for demonstrations and riding sessions at these events.
WHAT IS NRHA RIDE A REINER?
NRHA Ride a Reiner gives selected riders the ability to test drive a reining horse with top-notch instruction from NRHA Professionals. For those who have some riding experience, NRHA Ride a Reiner provides the opportunity to enjoy a dizzying spin or even a sliding stop on a well-trained reining horse.
ALL AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS – OCT. 13 – 14
While Reining has long been associated with the All American Quarter Horse Congress, 2012 will be the first time for NRHA’s groundbreaking and popular Ride a Reiner to be part of the world’s largest single-breed horse show. NRHA will give some lucky attendees the chance to experience the thrill of executing Reining’s signature moves October 13 and 14 in Cooper Arena.
APPLICATIONS & TIMES – The Congress NRHA Ride a Reiner application can be downloaded (bit.ly/NRHARideaReinerCongress) or picked up at the NRHA Booth in Congress Hall (106). NRHA recommends that applicants return completed applications to the NRHA Booth the day prior to his/her preferred riding time. Demonstration and riding times are as follows:
October 13: Noon – Reining Demonstration with Shawn Flarida
1 p.m. – Ride a Reiner with Brandon Brant and Robin Schoeller
2 p.m. – Ride a Reiner with Brandon Brant and Robin Schoeller
October 14: 10 a.m. – Ride a Reiner with Brett Walters
11 a.m. – Ride a Reiner with Ollie Griffith
SESSION LEADERS – Ride a Reiner sessions will be lead by Brandon Brant, Robin Schoeller, Brett Walters, Ollie Griffith. The demonstration features Shawn Flarida, reining’s all-time leading money earner who has won the NRHA Futurity five times. Brant is an NRHA Derby Level 3 Open Champion, NRHA Derby Level 2 Open Champion, NRHA Derby Level 1 Open Champion and All American Quarter Horse Congress Futurity Level 2 Open Champion. Schoeller is a two-time All American Quarter Horse Congress Level 2 Open Futurity Champion, an NRHA Futurity Level 2 Open Champion and an NRBC Level 3 Open Derby Champion. Walters, of Bourbon, Ind., is an NRHA Judge and NRHA Regional Director who has shared his reining expertise and riding tips at numerous Ride a Reiner events, including the inaugural event at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games. Dublin, Ohio’s Ollie Griffith is an NRHA Judge, NRHA Steward, and equestrian team coach for The Ohio State University.
“Programs like NRHA Ride a Reiner, which will be featured at the 2012 Congress, provide a hands-on opportunity to introduce this great event to new exhibitors,” said Dr. Scott Myers, Ohio Quarter Horse Association Executive Director. “We are excited to work with an organization like NRHA that is so dedicated to sharing their great sport and promoting a discipline with such a great heritage here in Ohio.”
NRHA
Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the standard-setting body for the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. For more information, visit www.nrha.com or visit NRHA on Facebook.
