DESCRIPTION OF THE GREEN REINER PROGRAM

The Green Reiner Program is a “Stepping Stone” program for beginners or novices of any age, designed to give competitive experience at NRHA Affiliate Reining Shows. The CORHA Green Reiner Program includes Level I and Level II. You may enter the program at the level best suited for you and your horse’s ability. Since the program is designed to be a “Stepping Stone” program, progression through the levels is based upon each individual’s ability to accumulate Green Reiner points. The purpose of the Green Reiner Program is to provide beginning reiners the opportunity to become acquainted with basic reining skills and NRHA patterns in a competitive yet non-threatening environment. As a Green Reiner’s skill progresses, CORHA encourages “Stepping Up”.

RESTRICTIONS OF GREEN REINER PROGRAM

NEW for 2017: OWNER AND RIDER MUST BE CORHA MEMBERS PRIOR TO SHOWING

The eligibility restrictions for participation in the Green Reiner Program are that the rider has not completed any Green Reiner Program in the past. To be eligible to enter at the Green Reiner I level, a rider must not have ever won money in any reining event. It is designed for the true beginner. To be eligible for Green Reiner II level, a rider must not have won over $100.00 outside of Category 10 in lifetime earnings in reining. A Green Reiner must have a Non-Pro status complying with NRHA definition of Non-Pro.

GREEN REINER POINTS

A Green Reiner runs the standard NRHA patterns and will be judged according to NRHA rules with the basic reining maneuvers simplified per the Green Reiner definitions. Scores will be used to determine class placings. Scores will also be converted to Green Reiner (GR) points for CORHA members. Membership must be declared before the start of the GR class.

A score above a 60 creates GR points. For example: a score of 68 is 8 GR points, a score of 70 is 10 GR points, a score of 60 or lower is zero GR points. Once a Green Reiner has accumulated 40 GR points, he or she can continue to ride in GR I for the balance of the year in order to compete for year end awards. However, those points will count toward the total 80 points needed for the completion of the GR program. After the completion of the year, the rider is no longer eligible to ride in the GR I class. Until that time, a rider is eligible to enter Level I and Level II if they wish to do so. Accumulating 80 points in the Green Reiner Program graduates a reiner from the Green Reiner Program. A rider is still eligible to ride in GR II until that year’s show season ends after accumulating 80 points if they wish to do so. Green Reiner points are kept only on CORHA members. Any points earned before a rider becomes a member of CORHA will not be able to be counted towards total GR points. Only the points earned after a rider is a member of CORHA will apply. Green Reiner points will be retained for a period of three years for riders who don’t show or for those who don’t join CORHA for up to and including three (3) years. After three (3) years of no participation, all previous points earned will be considered null and void. There is no time limit for completion of the Green Reiner Program for participating riders. A Green Reiner rider is permitted to show no more than 3 different horses per show for accumulated Green Reiner points.

CHOOSING YOUR LEVEL

Green Reiner Level I riders are required to perform a simple lead change where a lead change is designated in the pattern.
A simple lead change is described in the NRHA HANDBOOK as follows:

Section l. In classes which allow simple lead changes, the ideal change is to jog for one stride to change leads. Any deviation from the ideal change that takes place in the lead change area as described by the Handbook would not incur a penalty but deserves less credit. In order of decreasing difficulty would be jogging more than one stride, walking rather than jogging, stopping during the change and finally more than one attempt to execute the change. Penalties would apply if the lead change was early or late just as they would for a flying lead change.

Section 2. Judges should allow one-quarter circle coming into the change and one-quarter circle going past the change as an allowable simple lead change area (safe zone), with only the out of lead penalties applying. For example, a horse that comes across and takes 3 strides past “center” to complete the simple change, but before the end of the first quarter, would not get a break of gait penalty but would incur a one point out of lead penalty. The same logic would apply for changes before reaching center. All penalty applications would apply out of that “safe zone”.

CORHA GRI rules require that a 2 POINT PENALTY BE ASSESSED FOR LACK OF A DESIGNATED SIMPLE CHANGE (HORSE DOES A FLYING CHANGE). A RIDER MAY DO A SIMPLE OR FLYING LEAD CHANGE IF HIS HORSE FALLS OUT OF LEAD IN A CIRCLE OR AFTER A ROLLBACK DEPARTURE WITHOUT A PENALTY BEING ASSESSED FOR A FLYING LEAD CHANGE.

Green Reiner Level I riders are also required to do only two spins or step-turn arounds in each direction instead of the usual four.
The rider has the option of riding with either one or two hands on the reins at any time during the pattern (coincides with NRHA Green Reiner rules).
Circles will be ridden as required by the pattern.

Green Reiner Level II riders execute the pattern as drawn and may do simple or flying lead changes (coincides with NRHA Green Reiner rules).
Green Level II riders are required to do the standard four spins or step turn arounds in each direction.
Green Reiner Level II riders have the option of riding one or two handed at any time during the pattern (coincides with NRHA Green Reiner rules).

A Green Reiner Level I rider may enter Green Reiner I and II until they have accumulated 40 GR points. After acquiring 40 points, they will not longer be eligible for Green Reiner I upon completion of the current show season. A Green Reiner I class is intended for the true beginner who cannot be competitive at a higher level but who is encouraged to enter Green Reiner II or any other Class offered to develop their skills in preparation of “Stepping Up”. Class eligibility requirements must be met. A Green Reiner II rider may enter any Rookies, Ladies, or any NRHA approved class, but is excluded from Green Reiner I if they have accumulated 40 or more points in the GR program. Class eligibility requirements must be met.

PLACING IN CORHA SHOW AND YEAR END AWARDS

A minimum of six place ribbons will be awarded at CORHA jackpot and CORHA NRHA shows. Placing in a class will be determined by scores only. In the case of a tie for first place, a coin will be flipped at the time the awards are presented.

Green Reiner I riders who have reached their 40 points mark will receive GR I completion ribbons at the Year End Awards banquet. Green Reiners who have reached the 80 point level and have graduated from the Green Reiner class will receive a Green Reiner II Belt Buckle at the Year End Awards Banquet.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

1. Green Reiners have the option of riding with one or two hands at any time during the pattern.
2. Green Reiners run the standard NRHA patterns with the basis reining maneuvers simplified per the Green Reiner definitions.
3. The patterns are to be worked as stated, not as drawn. The drawn pattern is just to give the general idea of what the pattern will look like in the arena.
4. The markers shown in the patterns may be placed on the wall, fence or ground at the following locations: at the center of the arena and at least fifty feet from each end of the arena.
5. Where designated in the pattern for stops to be beyond the marker, the horse should begin his stop after he passes the specified marker.
6. Each pattern is drawn so that the bottom of the page represents the end of the arena entered by contestants and should be run as such when possible.
7. All horses will be judged according to NRHA rules.
8. Execution of maneuvers at a level exceeding the program requirements will not be given additional points by the judges and if not properly executed, will be penalized using normal scoring procedures.
9. To be eligible to ride in the Green Reiner Program, the rider must not have completed any other Green Reiner Program and a rider must have a Non-Pro status complying with the NRHA definition of Non-Pro. GR II requires that a rider has not won over $100.00 in lifetime earnings outside of Category 10.
10. All judge’s decisions are final.

GREEN REINER DEFINITIONS

Circles: The circle is the foundation of reining. It demonstrates the horse’s willingness to be guided. The circle, therefore, should demonstrate the rider’s complete control over the horse. They should be perfectly round. Both large circles should be the same size and speed. Large circles are always faster than small circles.

Simple Lead Changes: Green Reiner Level I riders must do a simple lead change with break of gait where a lead change is required in the pattern. See “Choosing Your Level” above or the NRHA HANDBOOK for a description of a simple lead change. IF A RIDER EXECUTES A FLYING LEAD CHANGE (NO BREAK OF GAIT INVOLVED), A 2 POINT PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED. A RIDER MAY DO A SIMPLE OR FLYING LEAD CHANGE IF HIS HORSE FALLS OUT OF LEAD IN A CIRCLE OR AFTER A ROLL BACK DEPARTURE NO PENALTY WILL BE ASSESSED FOR A FLYING LEAD CHANGE AT THAT TIME.

Flying Lead Changes: At the lope, without changing speed, the horse should change leads both front and back within one stride.

Soft Stops: The horse showing in the Green Reiner Program should make easy, controlled stops that demonstrate acceptance of the bit. The horse may drop its hindquarter into the ground, possibly sliding a few inches. The horse’s head should give to the rider’s hand. The horse should never show resistance by tossing and throwing his head.

Slide Stop: Running down to a stop with a little more speed, a well-executed soft stop becomes a slide stop of a foot or more. Slide stops are never forbade in the Green Reiner Program but excessive speed may be judged as lack of control.

Back: The horse should back readily, straight and without resistance. The distance backed is determined by the designated pattern.

Step Turn-Around or Spin: The step turn-around on the haunches demonstrates shoulder control that is the building block of the spin. The horse should keep his body straight, nose tipped slightly toward the direction of the turn and step with his front feet sideways and around. He should not hop, but step, step, step around the haunches until he has completed the turn-around. Speeding up the turn-around results in a spin.

Green Reiner I is to complete TWO (2) step turn arounds or spins in each direction.
Green Reiner II is to complete FOUR (4) step turn arounds or spins in each direction.

Rollbacks: The rollback is a 180-degree turn on the haunches followed with an immediate lead departure. Ideally the horse should execute the rollback after a complete stop. The horse rolls back and lopes over the same tracks he made getting to the stop.