Everyone Loves Slides

Reining.....

This is a discipline that hits close to my heart.  Ever since I was a little girl I have always wanted to ride in the free style

 reining.

First of all those who don't know what reining is I will enlighten you some.  Reining is a western event that is normally set to a pattern. There are 8 movements in every pattern.

1. Circles - there are two speeds of circles...a large fast and a small slow.
2. Flying Lead Changes - this is when the horse switches directions and without breaking gait they change which foot strikes out first.
3. Run Downs - this leads up to the slide.
4. Sliding Stop - the horse will "sit down" and literally slide to a stop.
5. Back up - the horse must back 10 feet in a straight line.
6. Roll Back - after a stop the horse will turn 180 degrees and lope off.
7. Spins/Turnarounds - the horse will pivot 360 degrees multiple times.
8. Pause/Hesitate - the horse must settle before moving on to the next movement.

Free style is so much fun because you can show your individualism.  In free style you create your own pattern, set it to music and dress you and your horse in costume.

*photo from www.wired4music.com/micheal_bishop_bio.htm