What is expected of lead changes in a Reining class?

Study for the AQHA Judges Qualifying Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question features hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Lead changes in Reining are judged on precision and correct timing. They should be clean and smooth, with the horse fully on the new lead and continuing the pattern without hesitation or loss of cadence. Being completed as required means performing the change at the designated spot or moment in the pattern and establishing the new lead before proceeding. If a change is performed on the wrong lead, or is sloppy, incomplete, or not done where the pattern requires, penalties are assessed. This is why the best choice emphasizes clean, precise changes that are completed as required and why incorrect leads incur penalties.