The newest addition to the international reining scene, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championships, is showing a world of support, literally. Twenty countries from four continents are entered to compete in the September 11-14, 2008, competition in Manerbio, Italy.

Teams and individuals from these countries are to compete in the inaugural World Championships, a brand new event hosted by the FEI. In the past, a World Reining Championship has only been offered during the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) which is held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games. This year, international reiners will compete for the prestigious World Championship Gold, Silver and Bronze FEI medals outside of the WEG at their stand-alone reining event.

Organizers anticipate 20,000 horse enthusiasts to be in attendance to see history in the making.

The countries with FEI National Federations that are anticipated to compete include:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
Great Britain
Italy
Poland
Spain
Switzerland
The Netherlands
U.S.A.

Those countries that are in the process of having their riders qualified for the competition are:

Czech Republic
Norway
Santo Domingo
South Africa
Slovakia
Sweden

The FEI is the international body governing equestrian sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It is the sole controlling authority for all international events in dressage, jumping, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, reining, and para-equestrian.

Reining has gained significant ground in its move to being the next equestrian sport added to the Olympic Games. FEI-approved reining competitions started in 2001 making the sport the only western discipline of riding approved by the organization. For the first time ever in the history of equestrian sports, the FEI welcomed Team and Individual Reining Competition to the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games.

For further information on international reining, visit www.horsesport.org. For more information on the 2008 FEI World Reining Championship, visit www.itrha.com.