“Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse in the confines of a show arena. In Reining competitions, contestants are required to run one of several approved patterns which are divided into seven or eight manoeuvre groups. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks over the hocks, a series of 360 degree spins done in place, and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.” - Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)

Reining became an FEI discipline in 2000. Since the discipline’s inception at the 2002 WEG (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain) the U.S. Reining Team has won the gold medal at all four Games. The U.S. has won a total of nine individual medals, three gold, four silver, and two bronze, and has made an appearance on the podium at all four of the past WEGs, as well.