The USEF Reining Team Selection Procedures are an important road-map for riders who plan to qualify for and compete at the USEF Selection Trial for the U.S. Adequan Reining Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The trial will be held concurrently with the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship at the inaugural Battle in the Saddle, July 6-10, 2010, at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK.
In addition to the championship and official selection trial, the Battle in the Saddle also plays host to the fast-paced, exciting Western events: ranch horse, reining, working cow horse, roping and cutting. Horses and riders will compete for their share of more than $133,000 in added money and total purses estimated at $340,000, all produced by the American Quarter Horse Association.
At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, it's all about the teams, the countries they represent and the money that can be won.
To increase reining team participation in the Games, the Federation Equestre Internationale has approved deepening the prize-money payout. This year, the team reining competition will pay a $100,000 purse to 15 places. Countries that haven't yet met the FEI requirements for a full team can still apply for wild-card status.
"We at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are working to have as many countries represented as possible and are committed to making it possible for anyone interested to participate," said Brad Ettleman, reining discipline manager for the Games. "Nations that are interested in applying for wild cards should let me know right away so I can help them in the process."
New to the 2010 Games is the Second Qualifying Competition, a recognition of the fact that good horses and riders can have bad days. The Second Qualifying Competition allows individual reiners a second chance to qualify for the individual finals. Riders who place in the top five of Second Qualifying Competition earn a berth to the individual finals and a guaranteed prize of $2,000.
Second Qualifying riders who place sixth through 15th are guaranteed $2,000, as well. "With this new, far-reaching payback system, we look forward to many competitors who might not otherwise be able to fund their trip to join us in Lexington, Kentucky, this autumn," Ettleman said. "Plus, as the Games are in the United States, there are a great number of quality, show-ready and qualified horses that are available for lease, making the cost of traveling to Kentucky even more economical."
In the individual finals, a purse of $100,000 will be paid out through 20 places.
"This new system allows for a minimum of $2,000 for 35 competitors very deep within the field of starters," Ettleman said. "We want as many full teams as possible."
AQHA is the official reining breed sponsor of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. For information, go to www.alltechfeigames.com. To ask a question about leasing a horse or forming a team, write to Brad.Ettleman@FEIGames2010.org.
For more information on USEF reining programs, please contact Vonita Bowers, USEF Reining High Performance Director at VBowers@usef.org.
For more information on the Adequan/USEF National Championship or the Battle in the Saddle, please contact Brad Ettleman with HorsePower at Brad@HPowerInc.com.
