Reining Maneuvers
From the most recognizable stops and spins, to the more overlooked walk-in, these are the reining maneuvers that make up the NRHA Patterns. Every NRHA pattern has either 7 or 8 of these maneuvers ( with the exception of Pattern A for short stirrup or Para-reining which only has 6 maneuvers).
Sliding Stop
Easily the most recognizable of of all of the reining maneuvers, the sliding stop consists of a horse running down the long side of the arena (the rundown) and stopping on both hind feet while staying straight.
The NRHA rulebook defines a sliding stop as follows:
“Stops are the act of slowing the horse from a lope to a stop position by bringing the hind legs under the horse in a locked position sliding on the hind feet. The horse should enter the stop position by bending the back, bringing the hind legs fur- ther under the body while maintaining forward motion and ground contact and cadence with front legs. Throughout the stop, the horse should continue in a straight line while maintaining ground contact with the hind feet.”
page 155 NRHA handbook
Spins
The second most recognizable maneuver, spins consist of a horse planting a hind foot and performing a series of 360 degree turns (typically 4) each direction.
The NRHA handbook defines spins as follows:
Spins are a series of 360-degree turns, executed over a stationary (inside) hind leg. Propulsion for the spin is supplied by the out- side rear leg and front legs, and contact should be made with the ground and a front leg. The location of hindquarters should be fixed at the start of the spin and maintained throughout the spins. It is helpful for a judge to watch for the horse to remain in the same location, rather than watching for a stationary inside leg. This allows for easier focus on other elements of the spin (i.e., cadence, attitude, smoothness, finesse, and speed).
page 156 NRHA Handbook
Circles
Circles are performed at a lope or gallop and consist of a small slow circle and typically 2 large fast circles. Circles are performed both directions with the large fast circle taking up half of the arena and the small slow circle being half the size of the small slow.
The NRHA handbook defines circles as follows:
Circles are maneuvers at the lope, of designated size and speed, which demonstrate control, willingness to guide, and degree of difficulty in speed and speed changes. Circles must at all times be run in the geographical area of the arena specified in the pat- tern description and must have a common center point. There must be a clearly defined difference in the speed and size of a small, slow circle, and a large, fast circle; also, the speed and size of small, slow right circles should be similar to the small, slow left circles; and the speed and size of the large, fast right circles should be similar to the large, fast left circles.
page 156 NRHA Handbook
Roll Backs
Combined with the sliding stop, the roll back is considered its own maneuver
The NRHA handbook defines spins as follows:
Spins are a series of 360-degree turns, executed over a stationary (inside) hind leg. Propulsion for the spin is supplied by the out- side rear leg and front legs, and contact should be made with the ground and a front leg. The location of hindquarters should be fixed at the start of the spin and maintained throughout the spins. It is helpful for a judge to watch for the horse to remain in the same location, rather than watching for a stationary inside leg. This allows for easier focus on other elements of the spin (i.e., cadence, attitude, smoothness, finesse, and speed).
page 156 NRHA Handbook
Walk-In
Probably the most over looked maneuver, the walk-in can be your first impression to the judge and sets the tone for your run. A good walk-in is critical to lay the foundation of a top score.
The NRHA handbook defines a walk-in as follows:
The walk-in brings the horse from the gate to the center of the arena to begin its pattern. The horse should appear relaxed and confident. Any action which may create the appearance of intimidation including starting and stopping, or checking is a fault which shall be marked down according to the severity in the first maneuver score.
page 145 NRHA Judge’s Guide
Jog-In
The second most over-looked maneuver. Also critical for giving the judge a good first impression, the jog-in can also serve as an opportunity for the judge to check a horse’s soundness.
The NRHA handbook defines a jog-in as follows:
Jog-in Horses must jog the majority (over 1/2 the distance) of the way to the center. The horse should appear relaxed and confident. Any action which may create the appearance of intimidation including walking, stopping or checking is a fault which shall be marked down according to the severity in the first maneuver score. Failure to jog the majority of the way to the center will result in a 0 for failure to complete the pattern as written.
page 145 NRHA Judge’s Guide
Backups
The maneuver where it is most important that you trimmed your horse’s tail short enough so that they don’t step on it. The back up can make or break a score as a good back up can boost a stop and back, but a bad backup can draw the score down.
The NRHA handbook defines a backup as follows:
A backup is a maneuver requiring the horse to be moved in a reverse motion in a straight line a required distance; at least 10 feet.
page 146 NRHA Judge’s Guide
Hesitate
A critical but overlooked maneuver, the hesitation shows the judge how well your horse is listening to you and whether or not your horse is anticipating.
The NRHA handbook defines a hesitation as follows:
To hesitate is the act of demonstrating the horse’s ability to pause in a relaxed manner, at a designated time in the pattern. All NRHA patterns require a hesitation at the end of the final maneuver to indicate to the judge(s) the completion of the pattern.
page 146 NRHA Judge’s Guide
Lead Changes
Where every spectator holds their. Rest he in the pattern to see if the horse will get them. Lead changes should look effortless
The NRHA handbook defines lead changes as follows:
Lead changes are the act of changing the leading legs of the front and rear pairs of legs, at a lope, when changing the direction traveled. The lead change must be executed at a lope with no change of gait or speed and be performed in the exact geographical position in the arena specified in the pattern description. The change of front and rear leads must take place within the same stride to avoid penalty. Run Downs and Run-arounds Run downs are runs through the middle of
page 147 NRHA Judge’s Guide
Run Downs and Run-arounds
The build up to the signature stops, run downs and run arounds set the stage for the most iconic maneuver in reining.
The NRHA handbook defines run downs and run-arounds as follows:
Run downs are runs through the middle of the arena, and runs along the side and ends of the arena. Run downs and runarounds should demonstrate control and gradual increase in speed to the stop.
page 147 NRHA Judge’s Guide