Emphasizing the spirit of cooperation that has existed between NRHA, AQHA, and the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), Frank Costantini, President of the Reining Horse Sports Foundation, shared with the AQHA membership during the AQHA Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, his enthusiasm for the collaborative effort that is bringing Reining closer to becoming an Olympic discipline.
Convention attendees were asked to take a drive down the “Road to Aachen (Germany) and Beyond,” the site for the 2006 World Equestrian Games. To reach that destination, the FEI World Reining Masters Finals Presented by NetJets was held during the 2004 NRHA Futurity & North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Finals, Open and Restricted divisions, featured a combined purse of $100,000. The original goal was to have 15 countries compete. “We exceeded that goal with 16 countries entering 21 individuals in the competition,” Costantini said. “The event exceeded all of our expectations. Spectators traveled from all around the world to cheer on their representatives.”
A $100,000 donation from the Classic S Ranch to the International Development fund of the Reining Horse Sports Foundation provided each of the 16 competitors with $2,500 for expenses.
The countries represented included: Belgium, Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S.A.
According to plan, the second FEI World Reining Masters Finals Presented by NetJets will be held September 22-25, 2005, in Manerbio, Italy.
“The FEI World Reining Masters Series lays the foundation for the 2006 WEG initiative,” Costantini said, “which is to have a minimum of 15 countries compete in Reining at the 2006 WEG. Through its International Development Program, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation, through generous donors, will be able to fund the production of the event in any way deemed necessary.
“Anyone wishing to impact bringing Reining to the Olympics has an opportunity to make history by supporting Reining at the WEG through their charitable contribution to the RHSF,” he said.
It is only through the FEI World Reining Masters Series that the dream of Reining becoming an Olympic equestrian discipline can become a reality. “Our efforts are moving forward thanks to the members of the FEI Reining Committee,” said Costantini, the Committee’s Chairman. It also takes the support of AQHA.
“With American Quarter Horses being the foundation breed in Reining competition, AQHA will gain great exposure for its horses as Reining continues to gain recognition worldwide. Hopefully, one day, we will see an American Quarter Horse carry a rider to an Olympic Gold Medal,” Costantini told the AQHA members.
