It’s the quest for the sport of reining’s best rider in the world. The 2007 $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters, set for Thursday, November 29, is shaping up to be one of the most colorful “must-see” events during the 2007 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. Highly-skilled reiners from around the world will travel across oceans and continents to represent their countries and ride for their flag.

The $100,000 added FEI World Reining Masters is an annual competition to find the most elite individual reiners in the world. The top rider, according to a point system, in each National Federation (NF) will qualify to compete in the World Reining Masters (WRM). The USA, Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland will be allowed to send their top two riders to compete in the Masters, open division only. These five countries were finalists at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Other country’s NFs can send one rider; these riders are eligible to compete in the open and restricted divisions. As well as competing for the $100,000 purse, the riders will also be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in two divisions: Open and Restricted.

There are 17 countries that are qualified to compete; Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.

Countries and riders who’ve committed to participate at this time include: Gilson Vendrame from Brazil; Dany Tremblay and Greg Lauder from Canada; representing Israel will be Ashir Kol; Gretel Valdes will represent Mexico; Hubertus Heule will ride for The Netherlands and representing the U.S. will be Casey Hinton and Gabe Hutchins.

This is the first time Hinton and Hutchins have qualified to compete for the United States. “For me, it is very exciting and a little overwhelming,” said Hutchins about his first team opportunity. “It is really exciting to be in that position, one of two people to represent the U.S. To me there is no better feeling in the world. It is quite an honor.”

Riders still have time to enter the 2007 FEI World Reining Masters. Nominated entries are due in the NRHA Office by October 25. For more information, contact Senior Director Debbie Drinko at (405) 946-7400, ext 119, or [email protected].