20 SIDELINES JANUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Jan Westmark-Allan
Reining is rocking the horse show world – just ask a variety
of well-known riders including hunter and jumper rider Cappy
Peterson. While Cappy’s accomplishments in the English
disciplines are many, she is the frst to admit that the draw to the
reining world is powerful.
Cappy, who lives in Lexington, Kentucky, has been a staple in
the hunter ring for years as one of the top Amateur-Owner riders
in the country, but has loved adding cowboy boots and a western
saddle to her tack room. “I love the horses and the people in
the reining world,” she said. “The horses are so well trained and
quiet and the people are so kind. The reining world is very family
oriented.”
Cappy’s introduction to reining came through a family childhood
friend – Mandy McCutcheon, who is married to top United States
reining rider and trainer Tom McCutcheon, a World Equestrian
Games gold medalist. “After I had my son, Mandy suggested I get
into reining,” Cappy said, adding that she took her friend up on the
idea. “It’s a wonderful sport because my son, who is fve now, can
ride all three of my reining horses, which are Quarter Horses. I
wouldn’t put him on a four or fve year old Warmblood.”
Cappy has ridden with Tom for a year-and-a-half and added
that a bonus of the reining world is that they don’t compete year
round, like the hunter and jumper world. “The reining shows take
the winter off, which is great for spending time with family.”
e
Cappy competes The Rio Deal, a 5-year-old AQHA mare.
Photo by Waltenberry.com
Tom and Mandy will be bringing their horses to Wellington
on February 1
st
for “Who Reins Supreme?” a beneft for the
Equestrian Aid Foundation. The event, which will be held at the
Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, will feature world-class dressage,
show jumpers, hunters and polo riders competing on the reining
horses. For more information, visit equestrianaidfoundation.org.
Who Reins Supreme?
Mandy McCutcheon, the wife of World Equestrian Games
gold medalist reining rider and trainer Tom McCutcheon,
chatted with Sidelines, the “Who Reins Supreme” Offcial
Media Partner, about the allure of the reining world and the fact
that the McCutcheon’s are providing the horses for the event.
Why do you think so many English riders are trying reining?
English riders are just horse people in general. This is just
another discipline for them to enjoy horses. Reining is such
an adrenaline rush it is very appealing to many different
people. Reining is fun for people of all ages and is a very
friendly and welcoming group of people.
What advantage does a rider from the English disciplines
have over someone who hasn’t ridden when they enter the
reining world?
Just having “ring” time and time in the saddle always makes
gives someone an advantage. Any experience with horses and
showing will give you an advantage over someone that has
never ridden.
What are you looking forward to with the “Who Reins
Supreme” event in Florida?
It was such an amazing event last year, and I am just hoping
we can help make the reining even better. It is always exciting to
get our sport out for more people to see and enjoy. Anything we
can do to help raise money for the Equestrian Aid Foundation
will be great!
What should the spectators expect or look for during the
event?
We hope to have some nice horses and give the riders and
spectators a great experience.
What is the best thing about reining horses?
The horses are so well trained; they can adjust to many
different levels of riders. Reining is a fun discipline for many
different levels of riders but is also very diffcult to do at a high
level. As with any sport the pursuit of perfection is a constant
.
Cappy riding
bridleless on her
reining horse West
Coast Smarty.
Photo by Waltenberry.
com