Equita Lyon Western Horse Show, proud host of the NRHA European Derby since 2017, will also host a qualifier this year for The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Championship, the reining event with the highest prize purse in the world. An historic event, as Lyon will be the first and only qualifier held outside the USA making this a tremendous opportunity for European reining too. Already well-represented in the NRHA European Derby, Lyon will now give the discipline’s elite a chance to rank among the world’s best in August 2024, in Las Vegas, for The Run For A Million. Tickets for the NRHA Open European Derby and The Run For A Million qualifier are on sale now.

Equita Lyon Western Horse Show, an established European benchmark for reining
Over the years, the Equita Lyon Western Horse Show has become a must-attend event for Western riders from all over Europe. Hosting the NRHA European Derby since 2017, it has become the venue where the finest European reiners are crowned. Spectators in Lyon are now used to seeing the best five-, six-, seven-, and eight-year-old horses compete at the show. Hosting the competition, where over two hundred horse and rider combinations are expected again this year from all over Europe, is a vote of confidence from the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the governing body for reining worldwide.  In 2023, the Equita Western Horse Show’s organizers have received further recognition from The Run For A Million teams, headed up by renowned American actor, screenwriter and director Taylor Sheridan and  Amanda Brumley. ″Since it was created, TRFAM’s goal has been to draw attention to Western traditions and the entire Western competition horse industry, ″ said Amanda Brumley, co-producer of the event. “We’ve succeeded in doing that on an international scale. It makes perfect sense for us to expand and include a qualifier outside the United States. The key was to find an event that perfectly matched our vision, and that’s what we found in Equita Lyon. This event provides a total equestrian experience, a festival celebrating the horse and including several disciplines. Equita Lyon is a must-attend event and we’re delighted to be working with GL events Equestrian Sport.
 
“The level of competition in Europe is continuing to improve, and we’re delighted that talent is being recognized by The Run For A Million,” said NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter. “This event has attracted competitors from all over the world, and we are looking forward to seeing them compete.” As for Sylvie Robert, she is pleased to host this new international competition at her event. “We are delighted to offer European riders the opportunity to qualify for the prestigious ‘The Run For A Million.’ I would like to warmly thank the organizers, Amanda Brumley and Taylor Sheridan, for trusting us for the next three years. Equita Lyon has been one of the leading ambassadors of Western riding in Europe, and particularly of reining, a discipline that all our visitors have adopted, for almost three decades. Hosting the European qualifier for The Run For A Million is an acknowledgement of the role of our event plays internationally, both in terms of sport and the quality of its enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable spectators. There’s no doubt that competition will be at its peak on Saturday November 4, both in the NRHA European Derby Final and in The Run For A Million qualifier, which will bring the best European reining combinations together.” Equita Lyon Western Horse Show is also pleased to announce TRFAM $50,000 Non Pro and Youth qualifiers.

What is reining
Reining is recognized internationally as an equine sport of great significance that appeals to participants and spectators alike. The combination of speed and power of the maneuvers with effortless control and finesse makes the sport fascinating to watch. The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) judging system allows spectators to closely follow the technical requirements while being entertained by breathtaking performances.
 
Reining exemplifies the athletic ability of a ranch horse in the confines of a show arena. In reining competition, contestants are required to run one of several approved patterns. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, rollbacks over the hocks, a series of 360-degree spins done in place, and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse. The judging system always follows A. General, from the NRHA Handbook, which states the following: To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance and dictated to completely.
Founded in 1966, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is an organization dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse. It serves as the standard setting body for the sport of reining worldwide and focuses on developing and maintaining suitable standards of performance and judging while providing a fun filled, family-oriented atmosphere.
 
With more than 1,300 shows and 125,000 entries worldwide, NRHA competitors vie for $20 million in prize money, plus other awards, annually. NRHA’s premier reining events draw competitors from around the world. The NRHA Futurity, the largest reining in the world, pays $350,000 to the Open Level 4 Champion and more than $2.9 million throughout the entirety of the show. In addition, the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel pays out more than $1.5 million to competitors. With a membership base of more than 14,000, over 100 affiliates worldwide, and a supportive core of committed Corporate Partners, the future remains unquestionably positive for the sport of reining. For more information on NRHA, visit nrha.com.
 
 
REINING TICKETS ARE ON SALE:
 
Saturday November 4, at 6.30pm*, Reining: from €40 The NRHA European Derby Open Finals and The Run For A Million – Million Dollar Championship 2024 Qualifier
Click here to buy your tickets
 
By Equita Lyon edited Press Release