The final roster of entries for the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) reining competition is in. There will be 16 teams with an additional six countries represented by at least one rider.

Teams include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden and the U.S.A. There will be one or two riders representing the Dominican Republic, Hungary, Mexico, Norway, Poland and South Africa.

Reining enthusiasts worldwide will appreciate the caliber of horses ready to compete. There are National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity finalists, NRHA Top Ten horses, and sons and daughters of NRHA Million Dollar Sires. All will have the opportunity to do their very best.

There are indoor and outdoor warm-up pens. The show arena measures 130x260 feet, and Bob Kiser of Kiser Arena Specialists is in charge of the ground. With his meticulous attention to detail, Kiser started this project a year ago. He selected the dirt in July 2006 and put the ground in on August 1. Of course, it wouldn’t be a horse show if things ran totally according to plan.

The Vaulters used the show pen first. They put in sod that had to be watered. Of course, this saturated Kiser’s clay base. Fortunately, Kiser and the crew from Agterberg, B.V., were able to dry and rearrange the footing by the designated time. “These people were great to work with,” said Kiser. “They have great equipment, and they know what they’re doing. The back hoe driver was brilliant at getting water out of the arena. The ground is really good.”

Reiners will be ready for the team competition on September 1, followed by the individual competition on September 3. And performance enthusiasts in Aachen will be ready to watch the action!


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