This will be the first time my daughter has done a run in pattern in the reining class for her equest team. The pattern calls for run in down the center, does it matter which lead she picks up?

If I am not mistaken, there should be a pattern posted some place at the show for exhibitors. Usually they say what lead, but also it would matter which
lead she should be on to go into her first circle or loop.

Sorry I shold have elaborated The pattern is as follows:
1 Run past center marker
2 Stop and back up to center pattern
3 Settle horse approx 10 seconds Turn to the left and start lop
4 &5 Ride two circles to the right , first circle small and slow, second circle larger and faster.
6 & 7 Ride two circles to the left , first circle small and slow, second circle larger and faster
8 left roll back over hocks (should be past far end marker)
9 Rigth roll back over hocks (should be past far end marker)
10 Stop (should be past center marker) let horse settle, then in approx area of stop do spin.......

the pattern was given to the coaches earlier this year, It isn't like a western horsemanship pattern where they tell you cone a. canter left lead to cone b and so forth

In reining you know what lead you are on in the circles and where to fly change, same thing with the run downs for the roll backs. But this is the first time we have ever done a run in on the center with a stop. All the other patterns have been walk in to center and start pattern..


As far as patterns go this one stinks, manuever 8 is very ackward. The pic shows the run down to the roll backs in the center, instead of completing a half circle and coming down the center through the top of the circle you have to turn imediately after your lead change in the center, It is not an NRHA pattern and there is nothing like it in the book. I think it might be a 4-h reining or modified 4-h pattern. But since run ins are common in NRHA patterns I figured Miss magnuss or primostein would know.

a normal NRHA run in pattern does not specify a lead. either is fine. this does look sort of like a 4-h pattern, but unless it's specified, either lead is fine. It is not even a penalty for a horse to switch leads on the run down the side for a stop. (at least not yet it is... that may change)... as long as the horse is on correct lead going around the ends.
Sometimes a judge will have a little meeting before the class in case there are any questions. When you get to the show, ask if that is possible, so something like that can be clarified.

I'm no expert, and this may be why I'm confused. But it sounds like either they left something out of the pattern, or you are misunderstanding something. I do not see where it calls for a lead change after 7 (large fast left circle) and before 8 (the left roll-back)...? From what I'm reading, I too would assume that you come around from the top of your large fast to the left, down center for the stop and roll-back to the left. If the picture shows something different, then I'm guessing they left something out of the instructions. If this is something the kids are given to practice throughout the year, then there should be someone to contact to clarify and set it straight, because this does sound confusing! Is there any way you can scan and post the pattern to be seen with the written instructions?

BTW, if it does call for a lead change (which would be onto the right lead), just before the run down to the roll-back, are they expecting an execution of a lead change simultaneously with a pirhouette of some sort, onto a straight line down center? Or do they want you to swap leads before center, and turn tight onto center? I don't understand what they are asking, but yes it does sound awkward, and pretty much impossible without yanking your horse and messing with it's training!

thanks mhtokay, I was assuming that either lead would be fine, but wanted to ask. These are Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Assoc patterns, and this pattern is very close to a 4-h pattern I'd seen from years ago. the last pattern they used was actually easier it was closer to an NRHA pattern , even though it had more circles (2 fast one slow) and more spins the run downs started at the the top of the circle.

Silverdust I was confused too. It's doesn't say anything in between 7 and 8 and the picture shows the run down to the left roll back from the center of the circles, not the top. We had a coaches meeting and I brought it up to the other coaches in our district, one of which is a judge and was familar with the 4-h pattern and they all agreed to ride it as written and drawn which will mean a flying change and a 1/4 turn, and yes a 1/4 piroutte kinda (good thing she's practiced those on her dressage horse) I've been having her ride it by executing the flying change one or two strides before center then the quarter turn or you miss the center line for the roll backs.
I am going to write the pattern committee and ask that they change it before next year, but we have to use it this year so I'm trying to make the best of it.

Thanks for your advice, wish us luck tomorrow!

elite, just wondering how she did in her pattern? Did you get a chance to watch the others go? How did the funky pirhouette lead change tango go? That's what I would have done too, change a few strides before center, and then turn onto center. Man, I wish I could see this in person! What a strange pattern! I've heard they do strange things at the foundation Qh shows too, that they don't use NRHA patterns, but rather more of a horsemanship type pattern. I'm so glad we stick to the "real" stuff, NRHA patterns, at our Arab shows. It might have made sense if they had specified, lead change before center, turn up center or stop at center, 1/4 turn, lope off up center for run-down, or something like that. Anyway... just wondering how she did?

Thanks for asking Rochelle, she won her class, had a pretty good pattern actually but she started her speed on the circles a little too early. It was a high school equestrian meet and alot of the riders rode the circles like figure 8's some rode really skinny figure 8's so there wasn't much of a turn involved.

I had forgot that in one of the second level dressage tests there is a movement where you canter and turn at E, change leads at X and turn left at B. She had ridden that test earlier this year on her dressage horse and had practiced it at a lesson, you basically ride a 1/4 of small circle to make the turn and you do it in 3 strides. She made her turn similar to this, she did her lead change then started the small circle on the next stride. I am going to try and video tape this week. I'll post it (if I can figure out how) and let you know.

I do have another question, what kind of bits are illegal in reining?

try this http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/24-RN.pdf
from the usef.org website. I didn't have to log in, so probably anyone can check out the rule book.

Thanks for the link mhtokay, they usually don't check bits, but last week the judge did like to ask questions of each of the riders, along with comments. I like them to be prepared if they are asked.