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‘Rookie Day’ hopes to rein in riders

John F. Russell

If you go

What: National Reining Horse Association’s “Rookie Day”

When: Clinic begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and lasts all day

Where: Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden

Cost: $200 for adults, $100 for children ages 18 and younger

Contact: Organizer Wendy Lind at 970-471-2789

If you go

What: National Reining Horse Association’s “Rookie Day”

When: Clinic begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and lasts all day

Where: Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden



Cost: $200 for adults, $100 for children ages 18 and younger

Contact: Organizer Wendy Lind at 970-471-2789



— Wendy Lind hopes Saturday’s National Reining Horse Asso­ciation “Rookie Day” will draw an enthusiastic group of riders who are ready to learn about reining.

“This is set up specifically to attract people who want to give reining a try,” Lind said. “It’s fun and pretty low key.”

“Rookie Day” begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden. The first part of the day features a clinic where riders will learn a variety of maneuvers, including slide stops, spins, circles and lead changes, critical in the sport of reining.

Reining sometimes is referred to as the Western form of dressage. In competitions, riders must guide their horse in a precise pattern and are scored by a panel of judges.

“It’s a Western sport that is both fast and physical,” Lind said. “There is also a very high degree of refinement.”

Saturday’s clinic will be led by some of the region’s top names, including Steve Schwartzenber­­ger, Bub Poplin, Terry Wegener, Devin Warren and Randy and Jessica Dooley.

The clinic runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants then will have a break for lunch before returning in the afternoon for a show in which the riders can demonstrate what they learned in the morning session. The top two adult finishers and the top youth finisher will receive a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle and a saddle pad. There also will be plenty of other giveaways during the day, including horse equipment from Classic Equine Equipment.

Lind said the day is designed for riders who are new to the sport and want to give it a try. She said the clinic also would be helpful for riders who compete in ranch horse versatility and cow horse events.

“The skills taught at the camp are perfect for anyone looking to advance their horsemanship,” she said.

Lind said there are about 15 riders signed up for the event, and there’s room for a few more. Those interested in taking part can call 970-471-2789 or show up at the fairgrounds from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday to register.

The cost to take part in “Rookie Day” is $200 for adults and $100 for youth riders ages 18 and younger. Lind said the fee for the event is tax deductible and that proceeds go to the National Reining Horse Association’s crisis fund. The fund is used to help members of the association deal with catastrophic events.

This is the second year the event has been held in Hayden and the fifth year for the event in Colorado. The first three “Rookie Day” events were held in Pueblo.


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