Anyone can pick up reining. It's so common nowadays that, especially in the U.S., you can jump on the web and find a few reining trainers offering lessons in your area. These lessons may not be cheap, but if you find the right instructor with the right horses, they will become invaluable to you. Some people rein casually and for the fun of it; others rein competitively. Neither is right or wrong; if it fits you and your lifestyle then you're good to go. If you'd like to try reining- or riding at all- simply look up "horseback riding lessons" in your area. At the beginning, lesson barns catering specifically to beginners will be beneficial. As you progress in your riding and find you want to try reining, it will be to your advantage to find as instructor that specializes in reining.
Famous Reiners
Dale Wilkinson: According to the American Quarter Horse Association, Dale Wilkinson was vital in reining's growth and popularity. Wilkinson was a self-taught trainer born in Georgia. Riding horses with superior movement, fluidity and obedience, he won both National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and NRHA futurities. He was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 1986. One of the greatest horses Wilkinson rode was a stallion named Mr Gun Smoke. An amazing athlete, Gun Smoke lines are now highly desired in reining and cutting horses. Wilkinson passed away in 2010
Bob Loomis: Another great rider, Loomis has won 6 NRHA futurity competitions, written the book on reining, and trained, ridden and owned an amalgamation of great reining horses. Perhaps his best were Topsail Cody and Topsail Whiz, two million dollar NRHA sires. Topsail Whiz's son, West Coast Whiz, is also a million dollar sire, making Loomis the only person to breed and train 3 generations of NRHA million dollar sires. Today he runs Loomis Ranch where he continues to breed and train horses. Bill Horn: Bill Horn was a champion reiner who inspired many, many amatuer riders to take up reining. He has countless champions and reserve champions in NRHA futurities, championships and derbys. He was inducted into the NRHA hall of fame in 1992 and became the NRHA's first million dollar rider in 2005. Horn rode tens of great horses in his time, including stallion Continental King. Horn passed away at 72 years of age in 2011. Tim McQuay: McQuay is one of the big reiners in today's world. He has been riding in NRHA sanctioned events since 1978 and is the NRHA's first 2 million dollar rider. He has won every major NRHA event on exceptional horses. He has also competed and won in reining with the AQHA and FEI. His accomplishments are too numerous to fit in here. Today, McQuay continues to compete and also owns and trains at McQuay stables. His training philosophy is to put the horse first. Shawn Flarida: As the NRHA's all-time leading money earner, Flarida is undoubtedly an amazing reiner. He has won the NRHA futurity five times and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress 11 times. He has been riding since he was a kid and got his start in reining working for his brother Mike Flarida, a 2 time NRHA futurity winner. Eventually both Mike and Shawn were inducted into the NRHA hall of fame. Shawn has ridden and trained top notch horses in top notch competitions throughout his career. Now, Flarida is still reining, but also busy raising his three kids. Stacy Westfall: Although a sport open to all, men on quarter horses have seemed to dominate the reining world. Stacy Westfall is one of the several women now making her name. Born in Maine, Westfall learned to ride from her mother and from her horses. She was instilled with the idea that she had to "think like a horse" to be able to properly train a horse. Stacy started her show career in barrel racing and jumping and then studied under two professional reining trainers. She and her husband opened Westfall Horsemanship where they train horses. In 2003 Westfall achieved a feat no one believed was possible. She won the NRHA Freestyle reining championship- bridless. In 2006 she won the Road To the Horse Competition against many top-notch trainers. Today Stacy is training and raising her three kids. |
The above is by no means an exhaustive list of great reining riders, breeders, owners and trainers. There are many more riders deserving of credit for their skills that I have not mentioned here. Also, keep in mind that to be great does not mean one has to be famous or have won multiple championships or be a million dollar rider. There are undoubtedly many great riders and trainers hidden in small towns that the public eye does not know of and therefore cannot be mentioned here or anywhere. To all of those riders and trainers: good job and thank you.