2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Reining Scoring

Reining Movements Scoring | 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Horse and rider start with a score of 70 and earn points or have them deducted in ½, 1, and 1-1/2 increments. A score of 70 would be for an average performance. Sliding stops requires a horse to keep its head down, back rounded, hindquarters well underneath the body, and to “walk” or pull with the front legs as the hind legs slide

A reining pattern includes from eight to twelve movements. Reining pattern movements are comprised of the following:

• The horse must perform large, fast Circles at a near gallop and smaller, slow circles at a slower lope. The reining circles should be perfectly round, with the rider dictating the pace of the horse. The rider’s transitions from the large, fast circle to the small, slow circles should have a smooth transition. A flying lead change needs to be incorporated into a change of direction.
• In a Flying Change of lead the horse changes its leading front and hind legs at the lope mid-stride, during the suspension phase of the gait. The horse should not break gait or change speed during the flying change. While completing a change at speed can improve one’s score, precision is the most important factor in judging: When a horse takes more than one stride to complete the change, or changes early, late, or that changes only the front feet and not the hind feet will be penalized.
• A Rundown is when the horse gallops or “runs” along the long side of the arena, at least 20 feet from the fence or rail. A rundown is a required movement prior to a sliding stop and a rollback.
• A Sliding Stop is one of the spectacular movements when the horse accelerates to a gallop and then suddenly comes to a complete halt, planting its hind feet in the footing and allowing its hind feet to slide several feet, while continuing to let its front feet “walk” forward. The back should be raised upward and hindquarters come well underneath. The sliding stop movement should finish in a straight line, and the horse’s position should not change.
• A Backup should be done quickly for at least 10 feet in a straight line, stop when asked and hesitate a moment before the next movement. Judging is based on how quick, smooth and straight the line is.
• A Rollback is when the horse immediately, without hesitation, performs a 180-degree turn after halting from a sliding stop, and immediately goes forward again into a lope. The horse must turn on its hindquarters, bringing its hocks well under, and the motion should be continuous with no hesitation.
• Spins begin from a standstill, the horse spins 360 degrees or more (up to four and one-quarter full turns) in place around its stationary inside hind leg. The hind pivot foot remains in essentially the same location throughout the spin, though the horse will pick it up and put it down as it turns. Spins are judged on correctness, smoothness, and cadence. Speed will improve the score of a correctly done spin. A pattern requires at least one set of spins in each direction. Horses must stop the spin in the designated place or be penalized for over or under spinning.
• Pause or Hesitate is when the horse is asked to stand still for a few seconds between certain movements in the reining pattern, particularly after spins. Pauses are not judged as a movement, but a horse that is ill-mannered or behaves with impatience when asked to wait will be penalized.

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