TRAIN A REINER

Todd and Taumi Martin

Copyright©2009

 

Lesson 2

 

 

 

          Understanding how the reining horse’s performance is scored is imperative!

 

          The scoring system controls the overall standard of training.

 

           Reining horses are judged individually as they complete one of 11 different reining patterns.

 

          The patterns consist of elements called maneuvers.  These maneuvers are spins (actually “turn-arounds), stops, circles and lead changes.

 

           Horse maneuvers are judged on a degree of difficulty in ½ point increments from a low of minus 1 ½ to a high of plus 1 ½ points.

 

           A maneuver score 0 denotes a correct maneuver with no degree of difficulty.  Penalties are given for deviations from the patterns or major infractions of rules or requirements.  All horse and rider combinations enter the show pen with a beginning score of 70. 

 

          The NRHA Handbook tells judges what to look for in each maneuver: referred to as General 1A:

 

          “To rein a horse is not only to guide, 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.  Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of control.  All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of control/or temporary loss of control and therefore a fault that must be marked down according to severity of deviation.  After deducting all faults, set here within, against execution of the pattern and the horse’s overall performance, credit should be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority of performing various maneuvers, while using controlled speed which raises the difficulty level and makes him more exciting and pleasing to watch to an audience.  The official guideline for the application of the rules for judging shall be as specified in the NRHA Judges Guide.”

 

 

          Each pattern is comprised of the same maneuvers, just in a different order.

 

          We also know that each maneuver is judged independently with a scoring spectrum from (negative) -1 ½ to (plus) + 1 ½.  It is further established that there is a penalty system.  Penalties have a set value with some of them resulting in an overall score of zero for your entire pattern. 

 

          Let’s examine the penalties that result in an overall score of zero.   You cannot use more than your index finger between the reins.  If two or three fingers are between the split reins it will result in a zero score.  You are not allowed the use of two hands (with a snaffle bit or hackamore being exceptions), when in a bridle.  You are required to use one hand the entire pattern.  Incidentally it should be the same hand through out, it cannot be switched during the pattern.

 

          1.  A failure to complete a pattern as it is written will result in a zero.  For example, a pattern calls for two large fast circles followed by one small slow circle, but the rider completes one large fast circle followed by a small slow circle followed by one large fast circle.  This is a failure to complete the pattern as written.

 

          2.  The inclusion of a maneuver not specified, including, but not limited to, backing more than two strides.  Example: you are asked to walk to the center of the arena and stop, and then perform your first maneuver.  But before you start the called for maneuver your horse steps back more than two strides—that action results in a score of zero for the entire pattern.

 

          3.  Turning more than 90 degrees, or more than ¼ of a turn in the last rotation of your turn-around results in a zero.  This mistake is commonly referred to as an “over spin”. 

 

          4.  Stopping more than ¼ of a turn before reaching center in the last rotation of your turn-around will result in a zero.  This is commonly referred to as an “under spin”. 

 

          5.  If your equipment fails, you’ll be given a score of zero.  For example, if a pattern is being executed and a bridle comes undone or breaks, it is an automatic zero.  Should the reins break, it is an automatic zero. 

 

          6.  Balking or refusal of a command where performance is delayed will result in a pattern score of zero.  For example, if the required maneuver is a run-down, stop and roll back to the right, but the horse hangs up in the roll back, begins to back up instead, and then refuses to go forward, it is a “refusal of a command”.

 

          7.  Jogging or trotting in excess of ½ of a circle or ½ the length of the arena will result in a zero score.

 

          8.  A fall to the ground by the horse or rider is a zero.  The determination of a horse falling is made when the horse’s shoulder, hip or underline touch the ground. 

 

          9.  Dropping a rein that touches the ground while the horse is in motion results in a zero score.  It is important to emphasize “in motion”, because a rein can be dropped and not result in a zero.  Here is an example:  Upon completion of a set of spins, a rider is expected to hesitate before starting another maneuver.  During that hesitation, a rein is dropped.  The rider may bend forward and pick that rein up with the rein hand.  No penalty.

          But if the rein is dropped during a lope or in the middle of spin, the result is an automatic zero.

 

 

          In addition to a set of penalties resulting in zero, there are also a set of penalties that result in a five-point deduction.  They are:

 

          1.  Spurring in front of the cinch.  This does not mean inadvertently touching the horse, this means deliberately spurring the horse in front of the cinch. 

 

          2.  Use of either hand to instill fear or praise.  Simply raising your hand, whether your intentions are good or bad, means you just got yourself a whopping five-point penalty.

 

          3.  Holding the saddle with either hand.   The single exception to this rule is for the kids short stir-up classes 10 and under, where this is perfectly acceptable behavior.  If there is incidental contact, such as a hand accidentally brushing the saddle, or touching the saddle, that is not the penalty.  Actually holding the saddle will result in the penalty.

 

          4.  Blatant disobedience by the horse will result in a five-point penalty.  Blatant disobedience can be defined as kicking, biting, bucking, rearing or striking.  Examples of this would be asking the horse for a lead change and the horse kicks at your leg.  Or asking the horse to walk forward and pick up a lope lead and it reaches back to bite your foot.

 

 

          There are also two point penalties.  The first is a break of gait.  If you are loping and your horse breaks to a trot and then to a walk, a two point penalty is applied for each time this happens.  So if the horse lopes off and breaks to a trot and you get him back to a lope  at which time he breaks down to a trot again then you will receive two, two point penalties.  Another common break of gait example would be trotting out of a rollback.  You came into the rollback at the lope and you must leave the rollback at a lope.

 

          You’ll get a two-point penalty for freezing up in spins or rollbacks.  Example: a horse is executing a spin and half way around the first spin he hangs up, then goes back into his spins.  That is considered a freeze up penalty.  There is a fine line between a freeze up and a refusal in the spin and rollback, and it is up to the judge to decide which he thinks it might be.

 

          A “walk in” pattern requires you to walk prior to the lope off departure, and failing to do so will result in a two point penalty.  It is acceptable to trot to the center of the arena in a walk in pattern, however it is required that you come to a complete stop prior to the lead departure.

 

          With a “run in” pattern, you must be in a lope prior to reaching the first marker.

 

          If a horse does not pass the specified marker before initiating a stop, there is a two-point penalty.  It does not matter if the horse starts the stop prior to the marker, and slides past it, it will still result in the penalty.

 

          Let’s move on to lead penalties, a category unto itself.

 

          Each time a horse is out of a lead, a judge is required to penalize by one point.  The penalty for being out of a lead is cumulative, so the judge will add one penalty point for each ¼ of the circumference of the circle or any additional part that the horse is out of lead.  So if you lope ½ a circle out of lead then you effectively will have a two-point penalty.

 

          A judge is required to penalize ½ point for a delayed change of lead by one stride where the lead change is required by the pattern description.  Your pattern will call for you to change leads in the center of the pen, so if you are one stride pass or one stride before the center then you will get a ½ point penalty.

 

          It is worth noting that it does not matter which lead you take when doing your rundowns; furthermore you will not receive a penalty should your horse change leads during the rundown.

 

          The next set of penalties is for jog infractions.

 

          There is a deduction of ½ point for starting circles at a jog or exiting a rollback at a jog up to two strides.  Jogging beyond two strides, but less than half the circle or less than ½ the length of the arena is a deduction of two points.  So if you roll back and trot out of your rollback less than two strides then you will get the ½ point penalty, anything beyond that will result in a greater penalty.  We know from our earlier look at penalties that anything beyond a ½ of a circle or ½ the length of the arena will result in a zero, effectively making your entry fee a donation.

 

          When executing the spin, the rider is expected to stop the horse within a precise point and direction of the arena.  If you are over or under the spin by 1/8th of the circumference of the spin, or beyond a shoulder width, it will result in a ½ point penalty.  Over or under spinning up to ¼ of the circumference of the spin will result in a 1 point penalty. It was noted earlier in the “zero penalties” if your horse over spins or under spins more than ¼ turn it will result in a zero.

 

          Last, but not least is the wall penalty.

 

          Patterns that require a horse to run around the end of the arena, require that the horse remain a minimum of 20-feet from the end of the arena when approaching the stop and or rollback. Not doing so will result in a ½ point penalty.  So when you do your run downs you must stay at least 20-feet from the wall.

 

          Now, let’s review the judging or rating of each maneuver.  Remember, the NRHA divides each pattern into seven or eight sections depending on the pattern.  So how does the judge decide what score (or how to rate) to give the maneuver within the (negative) -1 ½ to (plus) + 1½- point range?  In the judge’s handbook it states the following scale is to be used when rating a maneuver:

 

-1 ½            Extremely Poor

-1                Very Poor

-1/2            Poor

0                 Correct

+ 1/2          Good

+1               Very Good

+ 1 ½          Excellent

 

 

          Beyond that scale, judges are given the following guideline: “The judge should consider the horse’s performance based on the following hierarchy of concerns”: 

 

On Pattern   This means the judge is required to ensure that the maneuver being performed is the correct one as dictated by the pattern.

 

 Correctness   The judge has determined the horse is performing the on-pattern maneuver, and now the judge must decide if it is correct.  There is a maneuver description the NRHA handbook which describes “correctness” of each maneuver.  So within each maneuver, the judge must determine that the horse has been dictated to completely and the basic element of the maneuver has been completed regardless of the degree of difficulty.  So if the rider fails to perform the maneuver correctly the judge determines the deduction based on the rating of  -1/2 to -1 ½.  Here you are dealing with only getting a deduction if the maneuver is not done properly, because correctness can only warrant a score of 0 or less.  There is no plus for a maneuver being done correctly.

 

Degree of Difficulty   The judge knows the horse and rider are on pattern and have performed the maneuver correctly; the judge must now determine the degree of difficulty.  Degree of difficulty is again based on the +1/2 to +1 ½ scale.  The standard for degree of difficulty is smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness, authority and controlled speed when performing.

 

          The way to plus a maneuver is to be on pattern, and perform the maneuver correctly, with smoothness, finesse, quickness, controlled speed and a good attitude by the horse.  Degree of difficulty is where you add to your score.

 

 

          Notice the order of the hierarchy of concerns.  Without being on pattern there is no score, so being on pattern insures you will get judged.  But before you can be judge any degree of difficulty, the maneuver has to be executed correctly.  Without being done correctly there is no degree of difficulty.

 

          Correctness is placed before degree of difficulty in the hierarchy.  The degree of difficulty is where you get your “plus” maneuvers.  But remember, you live by the sword, you die by the sword.  What I mean by this is that showing a higher level of difficulty is not easy.  Sometimes in trying to plus a maneuver, you actually receive a deduction because you diminished the correctness of the skill.

 

          If you have a horse that can only spin “correctly” and adding speed causes the spin to go haywire, then shoot for correct.  Because at least correct will keep you at a score of 0 for that maneuver, instead of a deduction.

 

          You’ve got to be smart as well as a talented rider on a talented horse to win at reining.

 

          You’ll often hear trainers say, “show the judges what you have, not what you don’t have”.  In other words, perform the maneuvers of the pattern correctly until you can show the judges a plus maneuver. 

 

          You should also know that there is section in the NRHA Handbook that addresses “No Scores”.  You would get a no score from things like abuse, misconduct, showing an injured or lame horse, or using illegal equipment.  A person that receives a “no score” cannot advance into additional rounds or be placed in an event.  Additionally, the association will determine whether or not further punishment is required through suspension and/or fines.

 

          A pattern that results in a “zero” and a pattern that results in a “no score” are not the same.  A person receiving a zero for their pattern is still eligible to win prize money should the placings dictate, and/or they are eligible to advance into the next round. 

 

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