Manerbio, Italy – July 17, 2008 - The very first Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Reining Championship will be held in Manerbio, Italy, on September 11-14, 2008 at the Palasturla facility. The FEI competition will be organized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), with the technical support of the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA).

Invitations have been formally extended to all Foreign National Federations (NF) with the ability to enter one team. Each team can be comprised of a minimum of three horse and rider combinations with a maximum of four combinations plus one reserve horse. NF’s who do not have the minimum three qualified riders for the team competition may send one or two individuals who have qualified for the event.

The qualification period started for the 2008 World Championships started January 1st, 2007. National Federations wishing to send teams or individuals must have had at least one FEI CRI organized within their country during this period. To be eligible to compete either as a member of a team or as an individual, a rider must achieve a minimum average score of 68 at two different CRIs during the qualification period. Nominated entries were due by July 7, with definite entries due by August 25, 2008.

In the past, a World Reining Championship has only been offered during the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) held every four years. Coming up this year, for the first time, teams and individuals will be competing for the prestigious World Championship medals outside the WEG.