Person · 1986
NRHA Hall of Fame · Inducted 1986
Dale Wilkinson
Father of Modern Reining · Inducted 1986
Born near Tiffin, Ohio in 1925, Dale Wilkinson transformed reining from a rough contest class into a disciplined sport of skill and finesse. His innovations — stepping turnarounds, slack reins, symmetrical circles, smooth sliding stops — define modern reining to this day. He was a co-founder of the NRHA in 1966 and helped mentor multiple generations of trainers.
"God created Dale, and Dale created reining."— Dick Pieper, NRHA Hall of Famer
Career Highlights
- Won inaugural NRHA Futurity (1966) aboard Pocorochie Bo — then won it again in 1975 on Clene Continental
- Only rider to win both NRHA and NCHA Futurities — won the NCHA Futurity in 1972 on Gun Smoke's Dream
- Founded University of Findlay's equine program — donated his Ohio training center to the college in 1984; AQHA Hall of Fame inductee 2000
- Waynesboro, Georgia (later years) · Passed away March 2010, age 84