The season begins with one of the most traditional reining competitions in the U.S. The Cactus Reining Classic is an elite, NRHA-approved annual reining event held at the prestigious WestWorld, in the beautiful city of Scottsdale, Arizona. The event brings together the world?s best horses and riders for a week of high-level competition and Western tradition, perfect for the whole family.
It takes place at WestWorld of Scottsdale, a large, multi-purpose event complex located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The venue is known for hosting a wide variety of events, including horse shows, rodeos, concerts, trade fairs, and much more. The complex spans over 145 hectares (approximately 360 acres) and features several arenas, exhibition pavilions, and outdoor spaces.
One of the best-known and most prestigious events on the reining calendar, it stands as one of the largest and most significant reining competitions in the world.
Held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex (within Expo Square), the event brings together breeders, trainers, competitors, and fans of the sport from various countries.
Key features of the NRBC:
Incentive Program: It serves as one of the largest stallion and foal incentive programs in the reining industry.
Prize Money: It awards millions of dollars in annual prize money across categories such as Open, Non-Pro, Derbies, and special "Shootouts" (such as the Yellowstone Rookie Shootout).
One of the major competitions in the discipline and a highlight of the circuit. The 6666 NRHA Derby, presented by Markel, is a premier global reining event held at the OKC Fairgrounds (in the new OG&E Coliseum and Adequan Arena) in Oklahoma City, USA.
It brings together reining horses aged 4 to 7, featuring divisions such as Open, Non Pro, Youth, Novice, Para Reining, and Freestyle Reining.
Created by Taylor Sheridan, the writer of *Yellowstone*, the event offers a $1 million prize.
An iconic event that combines high performance, visibility, and a grand spectacle. It is the richest event in Western equestrian sports, held at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The NRHA Futurity is the largest and most significant reining championship in the world. Organized by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), it stands as one of the premier equestrian events globally.
Criteria: It is exclusively for 3-year-old horses making their debut in high-level competition, serving as a pivotal turning point in the careers of the animals, trainers, and riders.
Evaluated Maneuvers: Competitors perform technical patterns that include circles at varying speeds, rapid spins on the hindquarters, high-speed sliding stops, and backups followed by rollbacks.
Prize Money and Scale: The event awards millions of dollars in prize money (exceeding $5 million in total for the most recent edition).
Brazil plays a prominent role in this discipline, with Brazilian trainers and riders frequently finishing among the top competitors in both the Open and Non-Pro categories.
