With the Extreme Mustang Challenge quickly approaching, Ramon has been working harder than ever with Castro. A portion of the competition involves correctly executing a reining pattern. This past week The Hideout was pleased to host Dominique Reynaud and Jean-Pierre MrArrot (JP), both of whom are top French horsemen specializing in reining competitions. Bet you didn’t know that Europe has a highly competitive reining circuit; top producing countries are France, Italy, and Belgium! (www.euroreining.com) Dominique and JP spent the week working with Ben and Ramon in the arena on the finer techniques of the sport. (Check out Dominique’s website www.cm-quarterhorses.com) 
So what is reining exactly? According to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), founded in 1966, reining is a “judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena.” For the NRHA shows there are ten approved patterns and horse and rider must perform one of the ten patterns. Typically patterns involve small slow circles, flying lead changes, 360 degree spins done in place and, of course, the amazing sliding stops. (www.nrha.com for more info!)
(Watch 2007 NRHA Championship Ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od8lj_FOkh8&feature=related)
Under the tutelage of Ramon, and guidance of Ben, Castro is coming along. Our esteemed French guests remarked that Castro has good potential as a reining horse and there is no reason Ramon shouldn’t win the competition. Well, we agree with the last part for sure!
Other happenings this month is a “Wrangler Safety Training” that Ben, Shawn, Marijn, and Luke attended in Jackson Hole. In June, Ben and Marijn will be going up to Billings for a two day “Horsemanship and Cattle” clinic with Richard Caldwell (http://www.vaquerohorseman.com). What does this mean for you the guest? That our wranglers have more info stuffed under their hats to share with you!
