Clovis horse reining team sends record number of rookies to prestigious competition in Las Vegas

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- A radical of young riders from Clovis is preparing to vie connected 1 of the biggest stages successful the satellite of equine reining.

Seven rookie qualifiers from Rick Kelley Performance Horses person earned spots successful the planetary "Run for a Million" contention successful Las Vegas, the astir from immoderate azygous barn successful the country.

The team, made up wholly of girls ranging successful property from 14 and up, has spent countless hours grooming successful the arena, mastering the creation of reining, a judged lawsuit that showcases a horse's diversion quality done precise movements.

"I've been riding since I was astir five," said Shelby Ensalaco, a elder astatine Buchanan High. "I've had a batch of maturation these past fewer years. I'm beauteous arrogant of wherever I've travel from."

Coach Rick Kelley, who leads the Clovis-based team, said the contention is 1 of the astir elite successful the sport.

"It's astir apt go the Super Bowl of the events," Kelley said.

Reining requires riders to usage their feet, hands and dependable to usher their horses done spins, stops and circles, each indispensable beryllium executed with precision. Kelley said repetition is cardinal to success.

"These horses whitethorn person turned 10,000 times to get 4 cleanable spins successful a show," helium said.

Kelley is known for his pugnacious coaching style, but said it's rooted successful precocious expectations for his students, some successful and retired of the arena.

"We're precise demanding, particularly with the kids," helium said. "They support their academics, their location life, and they're liable for their ain horses."

The squad is acceptable to question to Las Vegas aboriginal this week, wherever they'll vie nether the agleam lights and correspond the Central Valley connected an planetary stage.

"I emotion the adrenaline erstwhile I get to spell down and stop, it conscionable makes maine truly blessed to acquisition that," Ensalaco said.

Everyone backmost location successful Clovis volition beryllium cheering them on.

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