Equestrian Reining at the Olympics
Supporters of the sport of Equestrian Reining believe that the sport on the threshold of Olympic inclusion. Reining was the only Western equestrian discipline approved for Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) competition, but in 2021 the FEI removed reining as a discipline. This probably has made it more difficult for the sport to make it onto the Olympic program.
Reining is a judged equestrian event, sometimes called “western dressage”. The horse is required to run through one of ten approved patterns, with the horse maneuvering through small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and sliding stops.
I have received unconfirmed reports that it was an exhibition sport at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and maybe even in Sydney 2000 and other Olympics. It was not in Atlanta I have been notified by someone who was at all equestrian events in 1996.
Reining is expected to take its place as an Olympic equestrian sport eventually (but not before 2028).
Related Pages
- Demonstration Equestrian Events at the Olympics
- Discontinued Equestrian Events
- Demonstration Sports List sorted by alphabetical order.
- About the sport of Reining
- Dessage at the Olympics
- About demonstration sports
- Equestrian at the Olympic Games
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Upcoming Events