A Guide to Popular Gymkhana Events

A Gymkhana is a fun and popular equestrian event were riders participate in timed games on horses. Some of the popular gymkhana events include barrel racing, pole bending and the keyhole race.

Barrel Racing

Women's barrel racing is probably the most popular gymkhana event, and it is also performed at many professional rodeos. In barrel racing, the horse and rider run around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. The barrels are set up in a large triangle, with the base of the triangle parallel to the arena entrance. The rider runs toward one of the barrels at the base of the triangle-either the left or the right, per their preference-circles it, then runs to the other barrel at the base of the triangle and circles it. She then proceeds to the top of the triangle to circle the barrel there before making a bee-line back toward the entrance. The horse and rider team who completes the pattern without knocking over any barrels wins. The clock starts and stops when the rider passes a designated point.

Pole Bending

In pole bending, the horse and rider run a weaving or serpentine path around six poles. The poles are arranged in a line moving away from the entrance and the designated point that starts and stops the clock. The rider gallops past all the poles and turns at the last one, then makes a serpentine path through the poles by passing on alternating sides through the poles. When they reach the last pole, they circle it and work their way back through the poles, in the same manner, back to the first one. The horse and rider then gallop straight back past the poles and past the timer. The horse and rider team who complete the pattern without knocking over any poles wins.

Keyhole Race

The Keyhole Race is very fast and very simple. A large keyhole shape is drawn in the dirt with something white like powdered chalk or flour, although cones or poles can also be used. The entrance is four feet across and the keyhole is 10 feet long with the widest point at 20 feet. The rider gallops into the keyhole, turns around and gallops back out. The horse and rider with the fastest time, without stepping outside of the keyhole, wins. They must pass a designated point to start and stop the clock.

Barrel racing, pole bending and the keyhole race are all fun gymkhana events for a horse and rider.