© Gilles Galoyer
Western
WESTERN
WESTERN COMPETITIONS IN 2025
OKLAHOMA AREA - 100% REINING !NRHA European Derby 2025 & Qualifications pour The Run For A Million 2026
Le Equita Lyon Western Horse Show est l'un des rendez-vous de reining les plus importants du calendrier international. Les meilleurs couples européens ne le ratent sous aucun prétexte.
Equita Lyon 2024 © Wanted Photos
Reining is a dressage discipline in which the horses are ridden single-handed, using loose reins to perform a set pattern (the equivalent of a cover) comprising a number of figures such as circles, spins (pivots on the hindquarters), roll-backs (half-turns on the hips at the canter) and sliding-stops (sliding stops), THE signature reining manoeuvre.
If you're not familiar with reining, take advantage of your visit to Equita Lyon to stop off at the Oklahoma arena and join in the excitement!
Equita Lyon 2024 - © Wanted Photos
The European Derby is a competition for horses aged 5 to 8, run in two phases: a first qualifying stage, held at the start of the show, and a grand final. You won't want to miss Section 2 of the Open Final, which will take place, as last year, at night on Saturday 1st November 2025.
What's more, this year's final will once again be combined with a qualifier for the richest competition in the history of reining, The Run for a Million, which, as its name suggests, is worth a million dollars and takes place every summer in Las Vegas, bringing together the best riders in the world. This is a golden opportunity for European riders to qualify for the event and to compete against their American counterparts, especially as Equita Lyon is the only qualifying event organised outside the American continent.
Tickets will be on sale shortly.
Great sport in store, to the delight of reining fans and visitors who want to discover this wonderful discipline.
A wonderful atmosphere guaranteed!
Equita Lyon 2024 - © Wanted Photos
The Equita Lyon Western Horse Show also features Pole Bending competitions. Similar to the Super Giant well known in the world of skiing, Pole Bending requires perfect coordination between horse and rider. The pair have to slalom back and forth between poles set up in a straight line on the track, as quickly as possible. Flexibility, agility and speed are essential.
You don't need to be an expert to enjoy these competitions, which will delight anyone looking for a thrill!
Barrel Racing is a discipline that requires riders and horses to combine speed and dexterity. The aim is simple: to complete a cloverleaf-shaped course around three barrels arranged in a triangle on the track, as quickly as possible.
Adrenalin and thrills guaranteed! As well as the highly-anticipated European Cup for barrel racing, the NBHA France 2025 Finals will also be held in Lyon.
Two major events for riders and a great spectacle for visitors! Adrenalin and thrills guaranteed!
Equita Lyon 2024 - © Wanted Photos
Equita Greatest Ranch Horse: 3rd edition, we're back for more!
Already the 3rd edition of this 100% ranch challenge, unique in the world! Ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining ... and for the first time this year, a ranch rail event. The ranch-style equivalent of Western Pleasure. As usual, classes can be run in combination or independently, but they will be AQHA, APHA and ... APHc! Lovers of American-bred horses will be delighted, as the 3 main breeds will once again be represented at the Equita Lyon Western Horse Show.
The ranch disciplines are attracting increasing interest, as they are safe yet technical, and are suitable for all types of horse and rider. The events are also very interesting to watch as they showcase the physical and mental qualities of American horses.
Equita Lyon 2023 - © Wanted Photos
Equita Lyon 2021 - © DeadorAlive
Performance and Super Horse
The NSBA (National Snaffle Bit Association) and IRHA (International Ranch Horse Association) are once again offering a variety of challenges, with trail, horsemanship, showmanship and Western Pleasure events. Once again, quarter horses and paint horses will be joined by appaloosas, so there's sure to be plenty of color in the Wyoming quarry!
To this already rich programme will be added a Super Horse competition, which combines several western disciplines: Ranch Trail, Reining, Ranch Riding and Western Riding. The horses taking part are therefore highly versatile.
Provisional programmes available soon.
Equita Cup: the FFE challenge open to all.
It was set up in collaboration with the FFE's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Western Commission. The principle is simple: riders qualify in several disciplines over the course of the year, and come together as a team to compete in a grand final at Equita Lyon. This will already be the 4th edition of this circuit, which continues to develop and which has its rightful place in the central arena.
The challenge includes 6 disciplines: horsemanship, trail in hand, ranch trail, trail, ranch riding and reining, and 5 categories: Club 1&2, Amateur 1&2, Amateur Elite (except for horsemanship), Amateur 1 Formation (only for reining).
It's a great showcase for Western equestrianism, with the potential to inspire new vocations, as well as a family-friendly gathering that's a real pleasure to watch!
Equita Lyon 2023 - © Wanted Photos
Taking part in one of our Western events?
Find all the information you need in your competitor's area.
Animations of the western pole.
Information available soon.
OUR WESTERN PARTNERS :
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