Rookie Reiner
How to Survive and Thrive in the Show Pen
HEATHER COOK
NOW AVAILABLE
Rookie Reiner is your one-stop shop for everything the beginning reining
competitor needs to know—whether “green as grass” or several years in. You’ll
get the lowdown on how the sport of reining is organized, how shows are run,
and how you fit into the mix. Find the right trainer for your budget; determine
whether your current horse has the attitude and ability to make it in the show
pen; and ensure your tack and equipment is legal, safe, and appropriate for
the sport. Get to know the required maneuvers—what they demand of your horse,
and of you—and how they play out in the 11 official National Reining Horse Association
(NRHA) patterns.
Plus, discover how to look the part—groom your horse so he stands out in the
show pen, and dress yourself with just the right amount of style. Bone up on
the intricacies of judging rules and scoring, and learn how to evaluate your
runs so you can learn from both your “plusses” and your penalties. From packing
the trailer, to warming up before your run, to dealing with “butterflies” when
you enter the pen, this book has it all.
With dozens of tips from top reiners and trainers, such as NRHA Hall of Fame
Inductee Bob Loomis, and a special chapter on creating your own Freestyle featuring
NRHA Champion Stacy Westfall, you’re bound to feel primed and ready for your
next show season—whether its your very first, or just your first step toward
someday riding the perfect slide at the highest levels of competition. Remember,
even if you are a rookie, you can still be a star.
HEATHER COOK has written extensively on the reining horse industry
for publications such as Western Horse Review, the Quarter Horse News,
and The Reiner, the official publication of the National Reining Horse
Association (NRHA). She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (www.heather-cook.com).
152 pp • 8 ½ x 11 • 144 color photos & illustrations • 978 1
57076 414 1
