Reining as a sport originated form the Old West culture where horses were a vital part of every working livestock ranch. In the National Reined Cowhorse Association reining is judged on the willingness to be guided. It can look easy from the stands but when you are the rider showing in the reining it can be challenging and intimidating. At Cowhorse Academy Clinics we help you not only find tune your showmanship but also coach you on how to keep your horse honest in the show pin. Join us here at Cowhorse Academy to find out how to stay out of the penalty box and plus your maneuvers.

Herd Work is a competition requiring a horse and rider to separate a single cow from a herd of cattle and prevent it from getting back to the herd. One of the desired qualities in a cutting horse is "cow sense," it is the horses ability to read a cow, eye to eye, in anticipation of each move. The cutting horse has its roots in the historic cattle ranching industry, where horses with specialized cattle handling skills were crucial for the work of the cowboy. Cowhorse Academy coaches our riders on how to catch the judges eye, check plus your cuts, control the run, pick good cows, and stay out of the penalty box.

In the cow work event horses are asked to work a single live cow, boxing , left and right turns down the fence, and left and right circling of the cow to complete the pattern. During your time spent at Cowhorse Academy we will show you how to box your cow that will set up the rest of your run. How to box, rate, and circle that will catch the judges eye to check plus or better your maneuvers, position and control, eye appeal, and help you learn to read the situation to get the most out of each cow.

Box drive is a stepping stone class for competitors who want to eventually enter the cow work class. In this class you do not have to turn the cow down the fence or circle. During your time spent here at Cowhorse Academy we will teach you time management, position, control, rate , and drive. This is an amazing class for the intermediate, amateur, working their way to the traditional Non Pro class.

This is a class for riders to compete in cowhorse classes without going down the fence. Position, control, and degree of difficulty are a major part of the score but, the amount of courage you have when working your cow on the end can dictate a larger score. If this is the class you have set your goals to start with? Come and learn the fundamentals of how to set up your run, read your cow, and be competitive.