DO YOU WANT TO REIN FOR YOUR COUNTRY?

Reining Australia would like to know if you want to ride for Australia at international FEI competitions. We’d like to create a group email list to send periodic informational updates as they become available (in addition to listing them in The Slider). If you are interested, please let our EFA Liasion, Robyn Schiller (robyn@schillerquarterhorses.com) know and your name will go on a list to receive information as Reining Australia gets it.
 
Here are some frequently asked questions/answers in the meantime:
 
Q: What events are we talking about?
A: The World Reining Masters (annually), World Reining Championships and World Equestrian Games(every 4 years). FEI events are to be scheduled in Australia (called CRI’s) where Australian Citizens can qualify for the above-mentioned events.
 
Q: How do I qualify for the World Reining Masters?
A: For the 2009 World Reining Masters, to be held in Oklahoma City, OK in December, the following Qualification Criteria has been copied from 2008, if there are any changes, we will advise as soon as available:

1. A rider ranking based on a points system Annex 1 will decide the qualification for the final. A rider can start a maximum of  3 horses at each CRI to qualify for Masters points. The horses must be declared before the competition to the President of the  Ground Jury and the Organising Committee. The highest scoring of the combinations entered will receive RM points.
2. A rider can earn points at all CRIs abroad or in his/her home country. However, in order to be eligible for the Final a rider must have started in at least one CRI in the home country. RIOs or Championships do not qualify for points.
3. The qualification period for the 2009 FEI World Reining Masters Final will be 1 December 2008 until the nominated entry date of the final 2009. A rider must score a 68 at two different CRI’s.
4. The leading points winning rider from each NF during the qualification period will qualify (ties to be decided by the NF. See point 7 below), with the exception of NFs having qualified a team amongst the first five teams* for the Final Team Competition at the World Equestrian Games 2006 who will qualify the 1st and 2nd ranked rider.
5. There will be no limit to the number of CRIs that count in each country.
6. If a qualified rider cannot attend, the position will be given to the next placed rider and so on down to the 5th placed rider. If the 5th placed rider cannot take their place then no further riders from that NF will be qualified.
7. If two or more riders from the same National Federation are equal in points, the NF in question will decide which rider to send to the Final.
   *NF = National Federation

Q. Will Australia be holding CRIs in 2009?
A. We are holding 2 CRI's in conjunction with the Futurity show at Tamworth.

  Q. What do I need to do to be prepared to show in a CRI?

 A.

1. You need to be a member of your Equestrian Australia state branch, as well as the owner of the horse you are riding.
2. Rider and Horse need to be registered with FEI.  You will find this form on www.efanational.com 
3. your horse needs to be registered with the Equestrian Australia state branch.  This includes microchipping, veterinarian & owner signatures.  Processing time for #3 is at least 1 - 2 weeks.

Q. How do I qualify for the 2010 World Equestrian Games?

A. The Minimum Qualifications are:

1. Qualification period: Start: 1 January 2009 End: TBC - Date of nominated entries, 2010
2. Minimum qualification criteria: To be eligible to compete either as a member of a team or as an individual at the 2010 FEI World Reining Championships, a rider must achieve a minimum average score of 68 at two different CRIs during the qualification period.
3. Teams: A NF wishing to send Teams to the 2010 FEI World Reining Championships must have organised at least two CRI events within their country during the qualification period.

Q. How is showing in a FEI event different from an NRHA or RA event?
A. Horses must be 6 or over and be registered with Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA).   Riders must adhere to not only NRHA rules, but FEI rules as well, which include strict anti-doping policies. Riders must be a member of EFA. Riders must be 18 or over. Riders must be Australian citizens.
 

Q. If I qualify, do I have to use the same horse I qualified on for the international events?
A. No. You may borrow properly passported horses. 
 
Q. If I qualify, do I receive any financial assistance from Reining Australia or EFA?
A. Not at this point. Reining Australia is planning to create a fund that raises money to lend financial assistance to those who qualify to ride for Australia in reining competition, but for 2009, no financial assistance should be expected by the qualifying rider. 

Q. Do I need to live in Australia to qualify?
A.  No.  A person only need be an Australian citizen.

Q.  How Do I find other CRI events?
A.  Visit www.fei.org and search for events in the calendar.