Jack Of All Trades: All-Around Competitors Take On A New Challenge In Reining

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324 – July/August, 2026

By Brittany Vermeer

A true all-around equestrian is a rider who not only competes in different disciplines, but who’s also skilled in those events. In this way, an all-arounder is not a “jack of all trades and a master of none,” but instead a specialist showman. For athletes to transition between sports successfully, they need to be adaptable, versatile, and handy.

Some disciplines are close cousins (like Western Riding and Horsemanship) so many of the skills translate. But others are so dissimilar that they feel like different sports entirely. This complete departure from what is known and comfortable can be scary. But as those who’ve done it will tell you, it’s often when we’re challenged the most that we reach our full potential.

We’re seeing more all-around athletes branching out into different disciplines, specifically Reining. Alex Baca, April Gentry, Eric Mendrysa, and Courtney Chown are AQHA/APHA Amateurs who’ve taken the leap, tried something different, and discovered a renewed love for the sport on the other side.

Amateur Alex Baca has shown all-around horses for 16 years, “the majority of my life,” she laughs. “We bought our first horse- a little Quarter Horse- and I started jumping him. Then, I got into Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, and Horsemanship, which was super fun. Then, I went into Western Pleasure and Western Riding.”

Click here to read the complete article
324 – July/August, 2026