Proposed Paso Reining Class

By Carol L. Nudell

PASO FINO REINING RULES
A. In an open reining class, any one of the approved Reining patterns may be used. One of these patterns is to be selected by the judge(s) of the class and used by all contestants in the class. The pattern must be posted at least one hour prior to the class.

B. Each exhibitor will perform the required pattern individually and separately. Exhibitors may show more than one horse. To rein a horse is not only to guide him but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willfully guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely. Any movement on his own must be considered a lack of or temporary loss of control and therefore faulted according to severity of deviation. Credit will be given for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness, proper gait, staying in gait, and authority in performing the various maneuvers while using controlled speed.

C. The appointments of the horse and rider shall be identical as that for PFHA Western Pleasure.

D. SCORING
1. The scoring will be on a basis of 0 to infinity, with 70 denoting an average performance. The individual maneuvers are scored in 1/2 point increments, from a low of -1 1/2 to a high of +1 1/2, with a score of 0 denoting a maneuver that is correct with no degree of difficulty. Scores will be announced after each horse works.

2. Any ties for 1st place will be worked off, using the same pattern and order of go as was used during the event; however, there will not be more than one run off. If a tie occurs after the run off, the entrants will be named co-champions and will evenly split the prize money (if money is to be awarded), but must determine the winner of the awards by a flip of a coin.

3. Curb chains are permissible provided that:

a. they are at least one half inch in width;
b. they are free of barbs, wire and/or twists;
c. they lay flat against the horse's jaw;
d. they are not tight when there is no contact on the rein.

4. The following will result in no score:

a. infraction of any state or federal law which exists pertaining to the exhibition, care, and custody of horses within the state or county where the reining is being held;
b. willful abuse of the animal in the show arena and/or evidence that an act of abuse has occurred prior to or during the exhibition of a horse in competition.
c. use of illegal equipment, including wire on bits, bosals or curb chains;
d. use of illegal bits (per APFA rules), bosals or curb chains (schooling age horses may be shown with two reins using both hands);
e. use of tack collars, tie downs or tight nose bands (nosebands will NOT be so tight they prevent the horses' mouth from opening;
f. use of whips or bats;
g. use of any attachment which alters the movement of or circulation to the tail;
h. failure to provide horse and equipment to the judge for inspection;
i. disrespect or misconduct by the exhibitor.
j. the judge(s) may excuse a horse at any time while in the arena for unsafe conditions or improper exhibition pertaining to both the horse/rider.

5. Excess rein may be straightened at any place a horse is allowed to be completely stopped during a pattern. When using a western romal, no finger between the reins is allowed. The free hand may be used to hold the romal, provided it is held at least 16" from the reining hand and in a relaxed position. Use of the free hand while holding the romal, to alter the tension or length of the reins from the bridle to the reining hand, is considered to be the use of two hands, and score of 0 will be applied.

6. The following will result in a score of 0:

a. use of more than one finger between reins;
b. use of romal other than as outlined in #5;
c. failure to complete pattern as written;
d. performing the maneuvers other than in specified order;
e. the inclusion of maneuvers not specified, including, but not limited to: (1) backing more than 2 strides; (2) turning more than 90 degrees ( Exception: a complete stop to correct lead when done in the 1st quarter of a circle after a canter departure. It is not to be considered an inclusion of maneuver; a 2 point break of gait penalty will apply).
f. equipment failure that delays completion of pattern;
g. balking or refusal of command where pattern is delayed;
h. running away or failing to guide where it becomes impossible to discern whether the entry is on pattern;
i. cortoing or trotting in excess of one-half circle or one half the length of the arena while starting the canter-circle, or exiting a rollback;
j. overspins of more than 1/4 turn;
k. fall to the ground by horse and/or exhibitor.
l. use of two hands or changing hands (schooling horses may be shown using two reins and two hands);

7. The following will result in a penalty of five (5) points:

a. spurring in front of cinch;
b. use of either hand to instill fear or praise;
c. holding saddle with either hand;
d. blatant disobedience including kicking, biting, bucking, rearing and striking.

8. The following will result in a 2-point penalty:

a. break of gait or incorrect gait;
b. freezing up in spins or rollbacks;
c. if a horse does not completely pass the specified marker before initiating a stop position.

9. Starting or performing circles or figure eights out of lead will be judged as follows:

a. Each time a horse is out of lead, a judge is required to penalize by one point. The penalty for being out of lead is accumulative, and the judge will add 1 penalty point for each 1/4 of the circumference of a circle or any part thereof that a horse is out of lead. An exhibitor may stop the horse to correct the lead.
b. A judge is required to penalize a horse 1/2 of a point for a delayed change of lead of one stride.

10. Deduct 1/2 point for starting circle at a jog/corto or exiting rollbacks at a trot/corto up to 2 strides. Trotting or cortoing beyond two strides but less than 1/2 circle or 1/2 the length of the arena, deduct 2 points.

11. Deduct 1/2 point for over or under spinning up to 1/8 of a turn; deduct 1 point for over or under spinning up to 1/4 of a turn.

12. Where a change of lead is specified immediately prior to a run to the end of the marker, failure to change lead will be penalized as follows:

a. Failure to change leads by 1 stride, a half point penalty.
b. Failure to change leads beyond 1 stride but where lead change is completed prior to the next maneuver, 1 point penalty.
c. If the lead is not changed prior to the next maneuver, a 2 point penalty.
d. In patterns requiring a run-around, failure to be on the correct lead when rounding the end of the arena will be penalized as follows; for 1/2 the turn or less, 1 point; for more than 1/2 the turn, 2 points.

13. There will be a half point penalty for failure to remain a minimum of 20 feet from wall or fence when approaching a stop, lead change, and/or roll back.

14. No "pattern spotters" will be used.

15. The judge has the option of awarding a re-ride to any contestant who in the judge's opinion is unable to complete a pattern for reasons that are out of the exhibitor's control. In the instance where a re-ride is warranted in the judge's opinion, the judge should advise the show management as soon as is possible.

Reining Pattern 1.htm
Reining Pattern 2.htm

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