Martin Larcombe, who slid ARC Oak Enterprise (Surprise Enterprise x Sophie Oak) to the NRHA Open Reserve World Championship last year, flew to Israel after winning the $125,000 added Open class at the World Reining Trophy held in Mooslargue, France.  The reason for the native Australian trainer, now based in Italy at Cisal Quarter Horses, to board an Israeli-bound plane was to hold a five-day clinic organized by the Israel Western Committee – the committee is associated with the Israel Equestrian Federation, the governing body of equestrian sports in Israel as recognized by the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale).  Held at the beautiful Alonim Ranch, the clinic drew over 50 of the top Israeli riders eager to improve their reining abilities.  With the sun shining brightly, many a reining enthusiast attended the clinic and Larcombe wasted no time helping out the Non Pros, Professionals, and Youth – paying particular attention to the Youth team - in dealing with the art of training and showing a reining horse.  The participants were all impressed with Martin’s dedication.  “Martin helped each and every horse and rider and they all improved by the time they were done. We would all like to thank him immensely,� says Uzi Kleiger from the Israel Western Riding Committee. 

 

“I was really impressed by the number of people who attended and by the standard of the livestock,� Larcombe enthusiasticly said the day after flying back from Alonim.  “The facility and the grounds were really good and what we mostly worked on was the suppleness of the horses and the basics, so as to get the horses softer.  What struck me the most is the number of talented youth riders there are and the program the association put together for them.  I am sure that in a few years, the Israeli riders and teams will be very competitive at all levels.�

 

Israel has been the Middle East country most involved on an international level and just announced that a qualifier for the FEI World Reining Masters Series (WRM) will be held September 16-18.  Elan Rosenberg represented his country at the 1998 World Equestrian Games where a Reining demonstration was held.  In addition, Team Israel has actively participated in the CRIs that have been held in Europe since the sport of Reining was accepted by the FEI. 

 

To see the current WRM standings, visit the official NRHA Web site www.nrha.com and click on FEI World Reining Masters Standings.