PG . 12
AQHA FEATURE
‘ While Bindi is beautiful and sweet ,’ Clare says . ‘ She really knows her job in the show pen , so I really have to be on my game when I show her . Bindi is our little firecracker and one of our best producing mares . One thing I especially love about this mare is that she really wants to try her best for you . She has a lot of heart , but is also a horse that always keeps you focused and thinking .’
Clare has a relatively simple , but effective training and exercise schedule , riding at home most days during the week . This helps to keep both Clare and her horse , fit and tuned up for showing , until they head off , at least once a month , to a Reining show with the family .
‘ Reining is my favourite discipline ,’ Clare admits . ‘ It ’ s a fantastic sport , and I love the challenges it offers . It ’ s a sport that really makes a rider think , especially when they ’ re in the arena in front of the Judge . It all happens so quickly in the show pen , so you really need to be on the ball and just go with it . A lot of trust needs to be built between the horse and rider , and for me , it ’ s when all my riding and training that I do during the week , comes back into it .’
Rookie L1 and L2 Clare Neylon riding Lil Miss Genius Q-74417
Clare attends Reining clinics whenever they ’ re available , but most of the time she ’ ll ride and train at home in the arena with her parents .
' At home ,' Clare ' s mum , Erin , adds . ‘ There are usually three of us riding in the arena at the same time . We ’ ll watch each other ’ s runs and give each other a bit of advice and encouragement , where and when it ’ s needed .’
Clare says that she is very much inspired by the well-known American Reining trainer and rider , Andrea Fappani . She thinks he is a great horseman and loves the way his horses go around the Reining pen during competition . In 2021 , Fappani became the NRHA Leading All-Time Rider after passing the $ 7 Million milestone ; definitely someone , and something , to aspire to .
Driven by her great love of Quarter horses and the sport of Reining , Clare not only attends Reining
ARBC Youth Reining Clare Neylon riding Lil Miss Genius Q-74417