Ep 25: 1985 - Reining Looks Back To Move Forward with John Snobelen NRHA Hall of Fame Member Cowboy Office Show

Maneuver scoring was implemented for the first time and reining and the working western industry was changed.

Is it time for a new revolution?



Some years become pivotal points in history. The equine industry, the working western world, and the reining industry can look at 1985 as the year everything changed.

What was this industry altering catalyst? 

The introduction of the new reining scoring system. Until this point, judging was subjective with seemingly arbitrary scores assigned based on one judge’s opinion at the end of the run. With the introduction of this new officiating system, a standard would be set, education would become required, and scores would be derived from a maneuver by maneuver objective evaluation.

Soon the entire horse industry would embrace the revolutionary system and virtually all pattern classes would develop a maneuver scoring system. Judges in all disciplines would become trained observers rather than individuals offering their arbitrary opinions.

Today’s Guest:

John Snobelen:  The mind, teacher and mentor to the reining officiating system 


NRHA Hall of Fame (1994)


Non Pro & owner


Mentor, judge, innovator


Past Minister of Education for the province of Ontario



“If we were wine - we would be good by now  -  fine &  priceless.” John Snobelen - 2023 

The Show Rundown

In this episode, Brian Dygert and Jody Brainard reflect with John Snobelen about the innovative mindset the leaders of the reining industry used to create the NRHA judging system. They look at 1985 as a focal point to find lessons we can use today.

Reining Judging System

The judging system has worked for 38 years. Or has it? The industry is three times bigger than it was in 1985. Competition has evolved but the judging system has not. What was once innovative is now outdated. Is it time for a system update?

The judging system needs to be able to handle the highly evolved levels of competition. The industry continues to get better, horses are more dynamic, fine distinctions separate the winning runs, and technical skills continue to elevate competition. 

Brian and Jody ask these questions to special guest John Snobelen and he provides unorthodox and unexpected answers.  John, who spent a career studying leadership, change, and courage, offers perspective not just on the tools needed for reining judges, but on human behavior, judging performance, and that improvement itself may not be enough.

Challenges the Officiating System Needs to Handle


Multiple Levels



Running all levels (1-4 in Aged events) concurrently creates inconsistent results


Consider the difference between a Rookie 70 and an Open 70


Re-evaluate the standard from the bottom up



Depth of Competition



It takes a 220 or better to make the finals in major events, like the 100x Reining in Tulsa


Winning runs average 226-230



Volume of entries creates classes lasting multiple days



Focus fatigue, consistency spread over multiple days



Need more tools to make fine distinctions (½ points are not enough)



Challenges the Industry Needs to Consider


Economics of earnings


Purse distribution


Industry growth and development


Continued Education


Officiating Management


Politics & Economic pressures


Change Management



Keep Your Questions Coming

Email questions to exec@cowboyoffice.com. We’ll continue to catalog your questions for our blog or next question and answer segment.



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