Lexington, KY – With 239 days to go (and counting) until the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, all eyes in the world of reining turn to qualifying efforts. Without exception, the highly contested four seats and one alternate named to represent the United States are on the line as top reiners from coast to coast scurry for qualifying opportunities.

The remaining four scheduled CRIs in the United States, which will count for qualifying shows, are looming on the calendar. The first two of these final qualifying events will be held at the Cowboy Capitol Classic in Stephenville, TX with a CRI2* on March 4th and a newly added CRI1* on March 7th.

The final two qualifying opportunities will be held at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) in Katy, TX, concurrent with the two open classes at that show.

Any US reining competitor with WEG aspirations must meet USEF minimum qualifying criteria, which includes attending a set number of qualifying competitions such as Stephenville or Katy, TX in order to advance to the USEF Official Reining Selection Trial – to be held concurrently with the Adequan® USEF Open National Championship at the “Battle In The Saddle”, an new AQHA-managed event slated for Oklahoma City, OK on July 5-10.

International competitors riding here in the states are also welcome to attend any CRI to garner both world ranking points and Masters qualifying points.

For more information on Qualifying Procedures for the 2010 US reining team or USEF reining programs in general, please contact Vonita Bowers, USEF Director of Reining at: [email protected]

For more information on the Adequan© USEF Open National Championship, “Battle in the Saddle” information, or details on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please contact Brad Ettleman of HorsePower, Inc. – National Championship Manager and Reining Discipline Manager for the WEG by email at: [email protected]