During its General Assembly Meeting April 13-15 held in Mainz, Germany, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) approved reining as its newest discipline. The FEI acceptance places reining in a position to move forward as a major international equestrian sport, like current Olympic events such as jumping, eventing and dressage. The long term goal is to have reining one day considered as an Olympic sport.

During the meeting, an ad hoc committee was appointed to develop the rules for international events in this discipline working with the associations already involved including the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), American Horse Shows Association (AHSA), American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the United States Equestrian Team (USET), as well as established reining associations in several other countries.

“Reining has a strong position worldwide with an immense popularity,” said Michael Stone, Assistant Secretary General of FEI. “With more than 57,000 active competitors in 47 countries on six continents, reining is welcomed by the FEI as its newest discipline.”

The four organizations have worked closely with FEI and Stone throughout 1999 to move reining forward on the international scene. In January 1998, USET added reining as the sixth discipline it oversees for international competition. Since then, AQHA, AHSA and NRHA have teamed to ultimately gain approval of the event into Olympic competition. s. Jane Forbes Clark, Chairperson of the Geographical Group IV was reelected to her post for another four-year term and will serve another two-year term on the FEI Executive Committee. In addition, Ms. Clark was selected to Chair the ad hoc committee that will develop international rules for reining competition