04/21/2026
🟠🟠🟠𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 🟠🟠🟠
-(𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒔)-
1. Hesitating to allow the horse to calm their mind is not going to hurt your score as much as the freakout will.
2. Learn to rope- its not negotiable, its a part of Ranch Riding. Nobody says “I wanna learn reining but I don't want to slide”
3. Accuracy is always preferred. If you’re not accurate in how your horse places their feet, allow yourself room and play it where it lies. Do not adjust twenty baby steps later before a sidepass.
4. If riding in split reins, wrist watch to the sky. Don’t rotate your hand all around
5. Spurs aren’t required, a responsive horse kinda is…
6. Take mistakes on the chin, whether or not you school is up to you. Do not slump and pout like a child, it happens. Make your mistake and continue with your run. Sometimes a penalty or two are made back up- do not quit riding.
7. Don’t do the “trainer stare” at the horse’s head, he aint changing colors
8. A new rope is usually harder to handle than one with a little use
9. Look at your drag a couple times to be sure (show off the horse’s autopilot)
10. The simplest way is usually the best way
11. Count your lope strides well in advance to the lope logs- it helps
12. Look at the next part of the weave in serpentines- this REALLY helps
13. Overtrain transitions and poles…you’ll be ahead of so many if you do this before your first show
14. Being imperceptible in how you cue and ride is neat, but don’t give me the impression (as a judge) that you’re sweeping things under the rug. A cool, calm, casual riding style that incorporates each cue in a balanced manner will always score well.
15. Training on show day is not usually the best idea. Reminding the horse of something they know…that should almost be policy.
16. Schooling in the ranch classes must be quick, within the confines of the pattern, and respectful to the show. It is not “beat your horse time”. You will be kicked out.
17. When new to Ranch Riding, do what is written in the pattern, no more. A 90 degree turn after a backup could be an inclusion of a maneuver. Don’t embellish without the experience to know what’ll get you OPed and what wont, do what's written.
18Read the association's rule book, there are many rules that are written for that local club and their people- age, bit requirements, division requirements, etc. A little reading could help you better prepare your horse and just stay in a snaffle if that's what your horse does best in.
19. While its common practice to be sneaky in the rail class, and often the slick riders do not get caught- its best to avoid doing so. If the judge has shown a good deal themselves, they'll notice the “sneaky child” body language… or better yet, their scribe snitches on you.
20. Its easy to do 8 steps inbetween simple lead changes, be disciplined and ask for only one trot step. This way, if you do 2 or 3 steps by accident, you’re not incurring penalties.
21. Adjusting reins in preparation for a maneuver is smart... (subtly)do it.
22. For the gate, make sure to clear it with your knee and if your arms are long enough, the rear cinch. This will ensure a tight, swift gate ex*****on worthy of credit every single time (without crunching it on you or your horse)
23. Good moving horses do well in Ranch Rail. Disciplined horses do well in Ranch Riding. Broke horses do well in Ranch Trail. Find a way to balance all attributes for a great all around ranch horse any judge would love.
24. If riding in romals, imagine holding a cup of coffee. Dont rotate your hand all around
25. In a two rein, consider actually using it. It’s design was not for the purpose of cosplay
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈!
Johnny Flores
WRHA Judge, AQHA Pro Horseman, Team Wrangler
818-939-1338
