CRI at AQHA World Show

NRHA & AQHA to Host FEI CRI competition at 2012 World Show on Nov. 9

The  2012 America Horse Association’s World Show will host an  International Equestrian Federation, CRI1*, CRI2* and CRI3* (Concour de Reining Internationale) event on November 9 at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. AQHA and the  National Reining Horse Association are jointly funding the $3,000 prize money for the CRI 3* with awards offered in the 1* and 2*.

The entry form is available at  www.aqha.com/showing/shows/worldshow/. Entries for the event are due Friday, November 2 and the cost to enter is $300. The FEI competition will take place in conjunction with the senior reining preliminaries in the Performance Arena (Barn 6). Part of the USEF Open Qualifying series, United States Equestrian Federation Long List Riders are required to show at two CRI qualifying shows between January 1, 2013 until the U.S. Selection Trial for the  2014 World Equestrian Games (or in the case of international riders until the nominated entry deadline for the 2014 WEG). Riders must meet minimum eligibility requirements, including a three star status athlete to compete at the WEG.

“We remain committed to seeing reining succeed on an international level and having a western discipline as part of FEI competition,” said Tom Persechino AQHA Executive Director of Competition. “AQHA, NRHA, FEI and the newly formed USA Reining had a very productive meeting in July and as a result, AQHA is teaming with those bodies to organize more domestic and international reining events. This is one of the first of what we hope is many more to come.”

“NRHA is excited to help provide an opportunity for riders interested in high-level international competition. It has long been a goal of NRHA to have Reining be internationally recognized, and through theses competitions we move closer to that end,” said NRHA President Beth Himes.

In 2002, American Quarter Horses appeared for the first time in a World Equestrian Games arena when reining was accepted into FEI and allowed to compete in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

In 2010, reining was again part of the World Equestrian Games when those games came to the United States for the first time. AQHA and NRHA were major players at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The organizations are looking forward to the 2014 World Equestrian Games slated for August 24 – September 7 in Normandy France.

“USA Reining seeks to foster the sport of reining in the U.S. and provide a pipeline for athletes to progress from national level competition into FEI and international competition,” said USA Reining President Pete Kyle. “It is also the goal of the organization to represent its members as a fully compliant USEF Recognized Affiliate for the sport, and we couldn’t be more pleased to work with these groups to see reining enjoy even more success – worldwide.”

The three-star competition being held at the  AQHA World Show on November 9 is a great opportunity to see some of the athletes that will likely be vying for a place on a 2014 WEG Team. Judges for the event are Karen McQuistion, Joe Carter and Doug Milholland. The competition is open to all eligible horses of any breed or national federation (NF) and begins about 2 p.m. in the Performance Arena at Oklahoma’s State Fair Park.

The AQHA World Championship Show comprising Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open divisions is the largest single-breed championship horse show in the world. The exciting competition begins Friday, November 2 and continues through Saturday, November 17 at State Fair Park. For the latest information including schedules and details of special events, visit  www.aqha.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit  www.aqha.com/magazines.

Incorporated in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association is the standard setting body of the sport of Reining. NRHA, with their international headquarters in Oklahoma City, is responsible for promoting the sport of Reining and working to ensure the highest standards of competition. To learn more about the NRHA, its programs and family of corporate partners, visit  www.nrha.com.