reinersblog.com

Leo and I are about to start our two-week vacation. Leo gets to lounge around the pasture while I head over to Denmark to visit my sister. I’ve never been to Scandinavia and am very excited.

I’ve heard that reining has become popular in Scandinavia, so while I’m there, I thought I’d check out a few reining facilities to see how they do things (maybe I’ll learn something). I did a little asking around and was given the name of a man who owns a tack shop in Sweden. I was told that he might know of a few reining facilities that I could visit in Denmark. Looking at his web site, I can see that it’s a dedicated full-blown western tack shop. It’s called Rocking B Saddlery. There is even a page about Les Vogt; although, I have not idea what it says (I’m sure it’s all good stuff). There are also a few photos of the owner, Haakan, who looks like he knows his way around reining horses and cattle.

I emailed Haakan who said that he would do his best to find me a place to visit in Denmark. I suppose that’s a lot like someone asking me to find a reining facility that’s three or four states away from mine. It never hurts to ask though. I also asked him about reining in Scandinavia and its popularity. His best guess is that there are about 10-15 professional reiners in Sweden and about 100 amateurs. He also said that they are greatly outnumbered by English show jumpers and dressage riders (sounds like my neighborhood).

I’m planning on taking my Cowhorse U materials with me on my trip, so I can at least study. I know that sounds a little obsessive, but someone told me that reining is an addiction…I’m just not ready to seek help yet.

Scandinavian Reining Associations:
The National Reining Horse Association Denmark
The Scandinavian Reining Horse Association