EcoVet Performance of the Week: SDP Blu Rey

The NRCHA Derby is going on right now in Paso Robles, California: this week’s featured performance is Terri Holowath and SDP Blu Rey, winners of the Non-Pro Two Rein.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association was created to preserve the Spanish riding traditions in regards to horsemanship and working cattle. Horses are shown as young stock in a bosal hackamore, transitioning to romal reins and the coveted status of well-broke “bridle horse.” The NRCHA has also added a snaffle bit division in more recent years.

A good reined cow horse is a jack of all trades: he has to be handy in the dry work, or reining pattern, he has to be gutsy to go down the fence, and he has to have the instinctual athleticism to cut. Every maneuver a reined cow horse performs can be directly traced to a skill required by a good working ranch horse in the traditional style.

The two-rein class helps transition a young horse from the bosal to the bridle; horses are entered wearing both a hackamore and a bridle. They are shown with one hand. The two-rein transition helps horses learn to neck rein and come into the bridle.

The non-pro two rein class at the NRCHA Derby was won by Terri Holowath aboard SDP Blu Rey: watch their cow run!

The NRCHA Derby continues through June 17. Visit NRCHA.com to follow all the action!