The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), formalizing the FEI’s relationship with the NRHA and AQHA that has been in place since reining became an FEI discipline in 2002.

The agreement covers areas of common interest including horse welfare, FEI rules and regulations, FEI Clean Sport, stewarding, education, and FEI recognition. Under the agreement, the FEI will have sole jurisdiction over reining competitions for horses aged 7 years and over, and the NRHA and AQHA will manage all competitions for horses of 6 years and under. An exception has been made for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, where 6-year-old horses will be eligible to compete.

“The FEI, NRHA, and AQHA, while separate and distinct organizations, have recognized as the major stakeholders in the reining world that together they can foster the growth of our sport globally, and this agreement is a major milestone in the expansion of reining”, said Bob Thompson, FEI Reining Committee chairman, who played a crucial role in formalizing this agreement.

Added Bettina de Rham, FEI director of reining, driving, and vaulting, “Since reining became an FEI discipline in 2002, we have worked closely with the NRHA and AQHA to grow the sport worldwide, and the expansion has been huge, with 115 reining events last year compared to just five in 2002