No! Anyone can come show at our events, no membership necessary! However, if you wish to accumulate points to qualify for end of the year awards, both rider and owner of the horse need to be members prior to showing.

Yes and no. To show in NRHA classes, the rider and owner of the horse will need to have the appropriate NRHA level membership. However, to show in ECRA level reining classes, such as Intro to Reining, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Green Reiner, there is no membership requirement.

Check out this helpful resource from the National Reining Horse Association:

ECRA holds 5 Ranch classes. Ranch Conformation, Ranch Reining, Ranch Rail, Ranch Riding, and Ranch Trail.

Ranch Conformation is an in-hand class. Horse are judged on their body and fitness to perform the job. The job being working on the ranch!

Ranch Reining is a pattern class where exhibitors are judged on the ability to perform certain maneuvers. Each pattern includes: Left circles, Right Circles, Right Spins, Left Spins, Lead Changes, Roll Backs, and a Back up. This differs from the NRHA reining whereas there should be no hesitation. These maneuvers are to demonstrate the horses agility for ranching duties.

Ranch Rail is a group class. Exhibitors are asked to move their horse through various gaits. Depending on the division, these gaits are: walk, extended walk, trot, extended trot, lope, extended lope. Exhibitors may also be asked to side pass, back their horse, perform 360 degree turns, or any other maneuver as the judge sees fit.

Ranch Riding is another pattern class. Exhibitors will perform any number of gaits and maneuvers as designated in the pattern. These classes may even involve ground poles.

Ranch Trail is the final pattern class that also involves obstacles and tasks a horse and rider may experience on a ranch. These obstacles might be gates, logs, bridges, cattle, dragging objects, carrying objects, and more!

Welcome! We are so happy to have you!

Riders are encouraged to dress for a long day on the ranch, as is what these class are meant to simulate. Jeans, boots, cowboy hat (or helmet *required 18 and under*), with a collared long-sleeve shirt. Chaps or chinks are traditionally worn, though not necessary.

ECRA is always looking for volunteers to assist with a number of things! From helping prepare for shows, finding new sponsors, ordering prizes, and helping the day of shows. There are plenty of tasks to go around, no experience required – we will show you what to do!