About NRHA

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Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse in a fun-filled, family atmosphere. It serves as the standard setting body for the sport of reining worldwide. Check out our Historic Milestones and most recent statistics overview. 

To promote the reining horse worldwide, while celebrating and advancing the finest traditions of western horsemanship. 

• To promote and encourage public interest in agriculture and ranching through reining horse shows and programs; 
• to develop standards of performance and judging of reining horses;
• to encourage the development and breeding of better reining horses; 
• to develop a higher degree of efficiency in the occupation and career of professional reining horse trainers, owners, and breeders;
• and to disseminate information about reining horses. 

Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena. In NRHA Competition, contestants are required to run a pre-selected, approved pattern, included in the NRHA Handbook. 

Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360-degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse. 

The NRHA Judging System is recognized as the leading format for judging an equine event that combines technical and stylistic elements coupled with consideration of “degree of difficulty.” Many segments of the equine judging discipline have openly embraced the NRHA Judging System. n write articles, long mission statements, company policies, executive profiles, company awards/distinctions, office locations, shareholder reports, whitepapers, media mentions and other pieces of content that don’t fit into a shorter, more succinct space.

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There are multiple divisions of competition offered at approved shows to enable competitors at all levels to participate, learn, and improve as they master the intricacies of one of the most exciting equine competition events. NRHA offers several levels of competition for:

• Open riders
• Rookie and entry-level riders
• Non Pro riders
• Youth riders
• Novice horses
• Aged event (futurity, derby, and maturity) horses 
• Affiliate (or local level) competitors

As riders progress in NRHA competition, they move through a series of stair-stepped class levels that help “level the field.” NRHA maintains an extensive data base of statistics/eligibility lists to enable exhibitors to understand which events they are qualified to enter and/or are no longer eligible to enter. 

In order to ensure integrity of the NRHA programs, participation in NRHA approved shows requires an NRHA Membership for exhibitors and owners, as well as a valid Competition License for horses. Check out Before You Show to see what you need to do to compete in this hot equine sport. 

information via NRHA.com