Road to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Reining Championship

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY, is scheduled for September 25October 10 with more than 60 nations expected to compete. The Western discipline of reining will be included in the games for the third time, giving U.S. reiners an opportunity to make history on their native soil. A calendar of qualifying competitions and qualification criteria are explained below to assist those who wish to represent the U.S. at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

USEF reining long listed athletes who wish to have the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Reining Championship will be required to show at three qualifying shows between April 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010. Athletes who show at three CRI shows during this qualifying period will be eligible to enter the Selection Trial, held between May and July of 2010.

There are currently 13 remaining approved and pending CRI competitions on the schedule during the qualification period, and more are expected. The athlete may show different horses during the qualification period. At the Selection Trial, the Athlete will compete with the horse that the athlete has chosen for the World Equestrian Games Reining Championship. The combos are then placed on the team based upon their score at the Selection Trial.

Keep in mind that the FEI requires all reining athletes entered in the WEG to meet the WEG Qualification Criteria. The complete qualification criteria can be found on the FEI website at www.fei.org. Here is an excerpt from those criteria: 2. Minimum qualification criteria: To be eligible to compete either as a member of a team or as an individual at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Reining Championships, a rider must achieve a minimum average score of 68 at two different CRIs during the qualification period, (which begins Jan 1, 2009).

Because athletes must meet the FEI Qualification to enter the WEG Reining Championship, athletes entered in the Selection Trial must have at least one CRI with a minimum average score of 68 between January 1, 2009 and the close of entries for the Selection Trial. (This insures that athletes who make the team will have their FEI qualification, having the Selection Trial as their second qualifying score).

For questions regarding qualification, contact Vonita Bowers, USEF Reining Director, at vbowers@usef.org.

Important: Riders from nations other than the United States are welcome to compete at any CRI held in the U.S. The CRI points from those competitions will count towards your FEI World Rider Ranking status. Qualifying procedures listed here are those of the USEF. If representing another nation, contact your National Federation for that nation's WEG team selection and qualifying procedures.

USEF and FEI Qualifying Competitions for the 2010 U.S. Reining Team

U.S. Competition Schedule (Pending Approval)
(Subject to Change) Updated May 8, 2009

ATTENTION: ALL REINING COMPETITORS ON THE USEF LONG LIST - The following is important information for anyone wishing to qualify for the 2010 WEG Selection Trial to be held between May 1 and July 31, 2010. USEF Long List Riders must show at three (3) CRI Qualifying Shows between April 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010 to be eligible to enter the Selection Trial.

April 14-19, 2009 - Katy, TX - National Reining Breeders Classic - CRI**
June 5-6, 2009 - Syracuse, NY - Central New York Reining Horse Assoc. - CRI**
June 22-27, 2009 - Oklahoma City, OK - USEF National Reining Championships - CRI****
July 20-24, 2009 - Lexington, KY - Kentucky Cup Reining - CRIO**** and CRI**
July 22-23, 2009 - Woodside, CA - Reining by the Bay - CRI**
Aug. 15-16, 2009 - Findlay, OH - Central Ohio Reining Horse Assoc - CRI**
Sept. 4-5, 2009 - Tulsa, OK - Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic - CRI**
Sept. 6-7, 2009 - Las Vegas, NV - High Roller Reining Classic - CRI**
Sept. 10-11, 2009 - Lexington, KY - The Tradition Futurity - CRI***
Sept. 25-26, 2009 - Denver, CO - The International Reining Festival - CRI**
Nov. 17-18, 2009 - Oklahoma City, OK - AQHA World Show - CRI***
December 3-4, 2009 - Oklahoma City, OK - Reining Masters - CRI****
March 2010 - Stephenville, TX - Cowboy Capitol Classic Reining - CRI**
April 2010 - Katy, TX - National Reining Breeders Classic - CRI**

-- A CRI or International Reining Competition is a reining competition recognized by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Every rider and every horse competing in FEI events will need to have an FEI Registration.

Riders competing in a USEF qualifier need to be member in good standing with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Owners need to be members in good standing with the USEF. Horses need to be at least six years old and recorded with the USEF.

Horses competing in FEI competition are required to have at least a National Passport. If competing in a CRI*** or CRI****, the horse will need to have a FEI Passport. To get a passport, contact the USEF Passport department at (859) 258-2472, or contact HorsePower, Inc., at (720) 982-3574 to inquire about the RiderReady passport and document management program.

For additional information about USEF qualifying and CRI's held in the U.S., please contact:Vonita Bowers, USEF Reining Director- (859) 825-6001 or vbowers@usef.org.

For additional information about the 2010 AllTech FEI World Equestrian Games, please contact:Brad Ettleman, Reining Director- (720) 982-3574 or brad.ettleman@feigames2010.org.