The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) will once again present one of the most prestigious reining competitions in the world—the 2008 FEI World Reining Masters. The event will be held during the 2008 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show on December 4 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

Worldwide Action
The FEI World Reining Masters is a thrilling competition involving the best individual reiners in the world. All have qualified, according to a point system, in their National Federations. Once qualified, the riders advance to the Masters to compete for $100,000 in prize money, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in two divisions along with the honor and pride of representing their country.

The two divisions of competition include the $75,000-added Open and $25,000-added Restricted Open. The five countries that were finalists in the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, are allowed to send their top two riders to compete in the open division only. These countries include: the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Other country’s National Federations can send one rider, and these riders are eligible to compete in the open and restricted divisions.

NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall said, “By hosting this event, we are looking to ensure that the momentum of reining continues. Besides the high-performance reining competition at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, this is a perfect way to showcase the sport of reining before a worldwide audience.”

Lively Competition
In 2007, the NRHA hosted the Masters during its NRHA Futurity Show. The lively competition brought 17 riders and their contingencies from 15 countries to Oklahoma City. Along with the international visitors came plenty of spending power, which meant a significant economic impact to local merchants.

The 2007 World Reining Masters proved to be one of the most exciting. A three-way tie between Austrian rider Rudi Kronsteiner and United States riders Casey Hinton and Gabe Hutchins forced a dramatic run-off. Amid thunderous applause, cheers, whistles and even a standing ovation following his run, Kronsteiner captured both the open and restricted Gold medals. He is the only reiner outside of the United States to win the FEI World Reining Masters. Kronsteiner is anticipated to represent his country in the upcoming competition.

FEI Reining
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. FEI-approved reining competitions started in 2001, making the sport the only Western discipline 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.