Rollbacks & Circles: Challenges of Scoring and Showing These Maneuvers

In this episode Brian and Jody dive deeper into reining maneuver spreads: what and why the deviations happen in the Circles and Rollbacks.

Episode 6: Maneuver Evaluation in Rollbacks and Circles

What causes greater variances in scores among judges at all levels

In this episode Brian and Jody dive deeper into maneuver spreads and focus on the deviations in the Circles and Rollbacks.

The 2022 NRHA Open Futurity demonstrated that rollbacks and circles incurred the highest rate of score deviation in the pattern. Brian and Jody guide us through these maneuvers and help us understand what makes them more challenging to judge. 

What are the components of the rollback? If you said the stop and rollback, you are wrong.

What about circles? Simple: 3 circles and a lead change each direction. Wrong again.

Components of the Rollback

  • Run down or run around
  • Approach
  • Stop
  • Rollback (or back in Stop & Back maneuvers)
  • Departure
  • Responsiveness of horse to rider
  • Degree of difficulty

Components of Circles

  • Lope departure
  • Downward transition
  • Upward transition
  • Location/Pattern placement
  • Quality of movement
  • Responsiveness of horse to rider
  • Degree of difficulty

And these components have multiple facets to consider! Some parts of the maneuver can be great while others can be very poor, and they aren’t all weighted equally.   This makes marking these maneuvers extremely challenging and leads to more score deviations among judges.

The judging system needs to keep moving forward to better meet the needs of competition.

Is it time to separate maneuvers?

  • Stop
  • Back
  • Rollback
  • Lead Changes

Does tail function (or lack thereof) affect maneuver evaluation?

How does the quality of motion affect scoring in the circles and rollbacks in reining? 

Chelsea Sutton of ConsultMent Agency joins Brian & Jody as they discuss the judging system and its impact on the sport of reining and level of competition.

Cowboy Office

Website: CowboyOffice.com

Facebook: @cowboyofficeshow

Instagram: @cowboyofficeshow

LinkedIn: cowboy-office>

TikTok:@cowboyofficeshow

Email: Exec@CowboyOffice.com

Resources

Production, marketing and moderating by ConsultMent.Agency

NATIONAL REINING HORSE ASSOCIATION: https://nrha.com

NRHA FUTURITY: https://nrhafuturity.com/

NRHA Handbook (reining rulebook):  https://nrha.com/media/pdf/handbook/2023/2023-handbook.pdf

More topics you might like.

Cowboy Office Presenting sponsor announcement with Polylast Global image of Brian Dygert and Jody Brainard hosts of the Cowboy Office Podcast

Brian Dygert, Cowboy Office Podcast Host, Signs Polylast Global As Presenting Sponsor of the “Chasing 82” Series, Aligning Innovation and Industry Leadership in Performance Horse Sport

May 15, 2026

The Cowboy Office podcast, hosted by Brian Dygert and Jody Brainard, has announced Polylast Global as the presenting sponsor of its “Chasing 82” series. The partnership brings together two brands focused on advancing performance horse sport through honest industry conversation, innovation, safety, and long-term equine care solutions.

Read More »

Ep # 42: -2025- In The Rear View Mirror

February 8, 2026

In The Rear view Mirror: Chelsea Sutton joins us as we look at 2025 as the year now gone by. We analyze the numbers to see trends and direction for our industry, as the intensity of competition continues to rise.

Read More »

If you are a Licensed official in reining and interested in key measurable data & reining statistics:

We are working on a program for Licensed Officials in Reining.
Information , objective measurable performance & factual data are vital.

Reining Licensed officials stats and measurable data:

Copyright 2022 -2025• 4D Productions LLC • Privacy | Terms | Accessibility | Sitemap • Made with by ConsultMent