The increase of money in the reining horse industry is good as long as we all realize that things change and the money won't always be there. Likewise, the gargantuan growth in the reining horse industry will not always be there. Life ebbs and flows. If you don't like it the way it is, wait a while, it will change. Or, you can beat your heads against the wall trying to make it change. My motto is: Enjoy it while it lasts, tuck some away for future dry spells and have FUN! This may seem trite but, after all, this is a GAME!

Lisa Cover
Colorado

If you are a top trainer, or top breeding farm the answer is yes. The more money the client spends the better your cash flow. Reining is becoming more a business than a backyard hobby. The days of someone wanting to have "fun" with a reining horse is over or maybe it never was. With so much at stake, it is hard for a lot a good horse people to gamble with so much hard earned money. My family is gambled with a lot of hard earned money. The money is not coming from the horse industry, but a business venture. Maybe with a lot of luck, that will soon change, but I doubt it. It is so easy to get sucked in by good talking trainers. There are some good honest ones left, but the money has forced a lot of them to probably string a few clients along. They have to keep up with the best of the best when they go to show, big trucks, shiny trailers, new saddles. That is what we expect. We happen to have found an honest one. Top bred horses cost a lot of money, top trainers cost a lot of money, top shows cost a lot of money. Money is what makes a lot of good horses successful and money is what stops a lot of good horses and good riders careers. If more people could afford to sink $20,000+ in the purchase and training of their horses to make the futurity, come December us little guys may be pulling for more than the McQuays and Flaridas and the Hollywood Dun Its and Whizes. Good luck to all and watch out for that pocketbook!! The stuff doesn't grow on trees, or does it? Let me know where that tree is!!!

J.B.
North Carolina

MONEY AND REINING. Mention the terms "money" or "rich", and the implication that undeserving individuals are trying to "buy" success or winning and that this affects the "fairness" of the competition in some way. In response to the questions "Is the growing influx of money into the Reining Sport good or bad? and will it impact the sport the way the sport of cutting was impacted?", the following thoughts should be considered:

Reining is different:
Reining, like many equestrian events and other sports, is influenced by the amount of money spent pursuing excellence. In some equestrian events, cutting for instance, the rider is a semi-passive participant and the horse is largely responsible for the success or failure of the run. Reining, like jumping, is somewhat different since it is not only the horse but the rider that is responsible for a winning run. Like buying a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store, a poor rider on a great horse may fare better, but will not be a consistent winner simply because the horse won't be ridden to its potential. In reining, therefore, the money spent on a horse doesn't impact the "fairness" of the event.

How much is Too Expensive?
The world today is a place where anyone can spend unlimited amounts of money to purchase horses among other things. We each envy the person who can spend enormous amounts of cash on a horse, but a study of sales and show results will reveal that many of the "really expensive" purchases at the NRHA sales each year, never end up in the winners circle. So money isn't the only ingredient. Consider that a $1500 gelding is a major purchase for someone of limited means (Say $15,000/year) but a $100,000 horse may only be a minor purchase for someone with more significant income($1,000,000/year).But both wanted the best that they could afford and have spent 10% of their year's income on a horse. Consider also, that many of the equestrian sports (thoroughbred racing, jumping, cutting, and quarterhorse racing) routinely have horses sell for six digit amounts. All have prospered over the last 10 years.

Where is Money important in Reining? Reining, unlike the other equestrian events mentioned above does suffer from a money related problem. No, it's not the amount of money spent on the horses or the equipment, rather it is the lack of sufficient prize purses at the shows.

Winifred Herndon
Colorado

I think the influx of money into the reining industry has both positive and negative effects. For the big breeders, trainers, and the association this is a definite plus, but for the average middle income person wanting to compete there is a negative. Another negative I see is that as more and more money is at stake, there is more pressure on trainers to turn out that perfect horse. As more pressure is put on trainers there is more pressure put on the horse to perform, therefor, we run the risk of burning out our reining horse both physically and mentally. I think we all need to remember why the majority of us got into this in the first place. Money can be a good thing, we just need to keep it in perspective.

Catherine Brown-Swain

The demise of the Cutting Horse Industry was caused by the "fall" of the oil industry. The fast and loose money, at least most of it, was removed. The industry became more serious; good business decisions are required, because the fast and loose money is not as available as it once was. Most of the "High Rollers" disappeared. Better business practices took over and will have to be maintained. The Cutting Horse Industry is "alive and well", it has been "retooled" to satisfy current requirements. The money is still there, it's just more focused.

The Reining Horse Industry got a tremendous "shot in the arm" (so to speak) when it went OLYMPICS! This growth pattern should be an upward trend. This will cause the "smaller" breeders to be better planners of their resources. Have a Plan. Little steps are always better (for us small breeders) than big ones..it does not take as much to "fix" if something goes wrong. You had better know your limitations before you get to a "point of No Return". This is just good business practices. There is an old saying that goes something like this: IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO PLAY AND WANT TO PLAY THEN PLAY. IF YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO PLAY THEN WATCH AND LEARN FOR ONE DAY MAYBE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY AND WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER PLAYER.

Bob Barton
Rosenberg, Texas

I can assure you that in all endeavors money changes everything. You don't see the international money going to the small farms, the big hitters with the proven horses and sires will get the majority of the international business. The Olympic media coverage will bring in Corporations to promote their products and to be associated with the winning riders ( endorsements) and the winning horses ( Stallion acquisition and control of get). This is a given for the Olympic aged horses. However even in the domestic NRHA etc. events money and the best horses/riders/trainers will dictate all the big money events. There will be less and less space in the future for HOBBY reiners to make any money, but...they can still enjoy the sport at the local level as we all have done with the best horse you can afford.

WSI

In addition to growth, I think the the influx of money into the reining industry is what the industry is striving for. It is both positive and beneficial. But with many benefits it creates some down sides as well. As far as too much income from sales and breeding (and as a breeder myself I would like to have such a problem) that can be adjusted by the people themselves. Downsize your breeding and either produce less for sales or don't sell. While the increased costs are an eliminating factor for many, the industry has increased it's breeders and the quality of prospects has risen to a high level. There is still an unbelievable number of good reining prospects available. There is a demand for good aged horses for rookie, LTD NP and NP and here there is a shortage. As supply catches up, prices will level somewhat. Bearing in mind that at the aged level there is a great deal of expense in that horse already. As a breeder I can not afford to raise a foal, keep it until it is an aged horse and then sell it. The training alone would be over $15,000 and the cost of raising, vetting and shoeing would easily be another $5000.

Probably the biggest negative to an influx of money, is the added pressure on the horses to perform and perform well and to learn to do so as quickly as possible. How many of our prospects fall by the wayside because they were not mature enough, not ready to take the pressure or simply were burned out. Not to mention the physical setbacks or injuries that stopped the prospect from going on.

Sally Brown
Fox Meadow Farm
Maple Plain, MN

I think the added influx of money into the reining horse industry is a very positive sign. The reining industry is such that there will always be horses, trainers and shows for every economic level, from the low end to the top end. What has really increased in price are the top end horses, we are selling yearlings now for what we used to get for the great finished horses. The stud fees on the great horses have increased dramatically in the last few years, pushing up the price of these top horses, however, there are always bargains in some of the young stallions that have proven themselves in the show ring but have not had a chance to prove themselves in the breeding barn. The sharp decline in the price of cutters in the mid-eighties had much more to due with the sharp decline in the price of oil, especially in Texas where the strong base in cutting is, and the overall recession. As long as our economy stays strong, the reining horse industry will continue to thrive.

Joe Hayes
Joe Hayes Quarter Horses, Inc.
Gainesville, TX

While I think that a bigger market that pays a little better can be a good thing, I have reservations when the market gets inflated all out of proportion. This is what happened to the Arabian horse industry. They crashed when all of the "little guys" were frozen out of the market. It became a haven for the stars and the big consortiums, and became top heavy. Without the middle income persons able to buy or compete the long term market was lost. Hence the crash. You have to have a market for those good but perhaps not exceptional colts and fillies and those solid people who support the shows, the registry, and the "just want to ride" market. We middle income persons cannot afford a $50,000 horse.

R - J Ranch

I have been riding reiners since 1988. I have always loved the sport, but the more I got into it, the behind the scenes truth began to rear it's ugly head. I think the more money that is offered in the 3 year old futurities places a tremendous amount of pressure on potentially great young reining horses. Many of them might not make it because of soundness problems due to being pushed so hard their 2 and 3 year old year. In this sense, we have created our own monster, just like the racing industry. Everyone is in such a hurry to win money/make money, that the health/soundness of the horses sometimes seem secondary, as long as there is a magic injection to keep them going. Unfortunately, I am afraid there is no turning back, the demand is too high and continues to grow for the reining industry. It would take many top trainers to say, "Ok, no more...these colts need one more year." and that ain't gonna happen. Even the barrel horses aren't in Futurities until they are 4 years old. One great thing that has happened, however is the acceptance by the USET. They figured out a long time ago that horses needed to be older in order to perform certain physical maneuvers. I was glad to see that the Reiners can't be shown until they were 6 in USET sanctioned events. Hopefully, people will start paying more attention/care before they ruin a potentially great USET prospect.

I believe that all the money that is involved pushes out the "small" guy that might have an interest in reining but can't afford to buy one, much less have a trainer. I see many riders at shows in my area, and have personally asked them to come to our reinings and show with us. Many of them feel too intimidated to come because they think they will be showing against $50K horses. I have personally decided to take a long break from showing reiners. It got to the point is wasn' t fun anymore and there was too much pressure to win. I refused to ride my horses until they got sore, or needed hock injections or whatever..it isn't a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN. I have such a respect for these animals and their heart. It baffles me why trainers pressure these wonderful animals the way they do, and WHY the owners allow it. I'll tell you why.....MONEY. Need I say more.

J. Webb
New Mexico

Many people are being priced out, it really is becoming a rich people sport. This is very unfortunate in my mind, and I have given it a lot of thought over the last couple years. It started off with my own involvement and now my children both participate - very expensive. I have not been able to come up with a solution. The only thing that comes to mind is the horse racing where you race against comparable priced horses. We do have rookie, limited non pro, intermediate, and non pro. Not only is the showing expensive, which will weed out many but even within those that do remain there are more and more that can afford to ride the $50,000 + horses against the $5,000 horses. How can we continue to stimulate new people into the industry and not be considered a game for the rich only. I wish I knew.

M. Alderson

You bet more money into the reining arena is not good for the folks that got into this sport for the excitement of riding a reiner. When we first started showing approx. 5 years ago it was fun to be around friends, talk horses, and enjoy yourself. Now it is tension, money and all the fun went out the door. A weekend for my husband and I is more that we want to put out at a reining show for a 2 minute ride. We have stopped showing and seriously considering selling out of the reiners and returning to the local fun shows where showing is fun. I guess you could say we like a lot of the other small reiner folks have been squeeze out.

Connie Blake
Charleston, WV