With the decision at the FEI General Assembly recently, the FEI and NRHA (National Reining Horse Association), failed to come to an agreement, which saw Reining being dropped as an FEI Sport and therefore it will no longer be an Olympic Sport. I caught up with my old friend Bernard O’Sullivan, the Irish Reining Athlete to find out a bit more about how the FEI decision will affect him and his sport.
A journey into the Equestrian World began in Ireland many years ago for Bernard in Old Mill Riding Centre, run by Patricia Creighton and Calliaghstown Equestrian Centre, run by Grainne Sugars. This amazing Equestrian journey has lead O’Sullivan to work and train in many parts of the Globe and culminate in a spectacular performance for Ireland, in the Reining Championships at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, his fantastic Equine Partner in WEG 2018 was the Reining Stallion This Gun’s For Nic.
To Read More About Bernard O’Sullivan’s WEG 2018 Experience Click Here>>
The FEI Decision to drop Reining, has left Bernard and other European Reining athletes in a bit of limbo, with few or no International Competitions. Plus reining has been growing in huge popularity across Europe, with Michael Schumacher’s daughter, Gina-Maria Schumacher,being crowned the European Young Rider Champion in recent years, and Dressage Rider Anky Van Grunsven also winning a Bronze medal at European level.
Here’s What Bernard Had to Say on The Subject;
“Well the decision has left me very disappointed indeed, but I am hopeful that perhaps the NRHA will get some more International competitions up and running, leading to an equivalent World Reining Championships. There are fantastic reining competitions with big prize money, but there is something special about a World Championships, with many different countries competing.
So what does the future hold for Bernard and Reining?
“Well, I love reining, I originally Evented and I have also ridden and trained horses up to a decent level in Dressage, but reining really inspired me. I love the definition of Reining, which is “The horse should be Willingly Guided.” This says to me exactly what I would like in a sporting partner.
As for my plans for the future, both now and distant, I have a really special Reining Horse at the moment Smarty, plus we have had some pretty spectacular foals this year. I would like to go as far as I can with Smarty and hopefully that will take us to compete on an International Stage. However, with Brisbane Olympics coming up in 2032, and it only 2 hours from home, it’s more of a case of “Watch This Space.” Laughs.
Plus I had some Good News today, as Smarty and I have just won the Limited Open Horse of the Year, and we are to be presented with our Buckle at the Awards Ceremony later this week.
For now, my partner Julian and I have just moved and are currently building our new yard from scratch, so some hard work and exciting times ahead. “
Well I for one will be rooting for Bernard, and look forward to seeing him compete for our Small but Mighty Country again in the not too distant future.
NB**Please note all pictures are here are the property of Bernard O’Sullivan and were provided by the Athlete for the Interview, Picture of Sliding Stop, by Nettie Egglstone, provided courtesy of Bernard O’Sulllivan.