How to Organize a Gymkhana

There's nothing as good for the inside of a kid as the outside of a horse. A gymkhana is a play day with horses that consists of different horse sports.You can sponsor and organize a gymkhana to help kids in your area improve their horsemanship skills.

Things You'll Need

• Flags
• Stopwatches with fresh batteries
• Public address system
• Eggs
• Spoons
• Facial tissue
• Barrels
• Poles
• Fliers
• Entry forms
• Ribbons or other prizes
• Back numbers

Instructions

Planning

1. Borrow an arena. It can be indoors or out, depending on the weather, but indoor is always good. Try to book a public facility, such as a fairgrounds arena, or check with other horse people for a facility.

2. Enlist the help of your horse buddies. Get an announcer, flaggers, timers and a show clerk.

3. Plan fun sports, such as the egg and spoon race, tissue paper equitation, keyhole race and do the traditional speed events like barrel racing and pole bending.

4. Invite area youngsters to attend. Set up age group divisions.

5. Advertise your event by putting up fliers in public places frequented by young horse people. Get word to 4-H clubs and schools.

6. Print and send out entry/release forms. Print rules on all entry forms and set a cut-off time for entries. Insist that release forms be signed by all custodial parents or guardians.

7. Charge a small entry fee for each class to help pay for ribbons and prizes or solicit donations from area businesses to help offset the cost.

8. Purchase ribbons and trophies, if desired, or give all cash prizes. Make your prizes progressive with the entry fees you collect, so the contest will sustain itself.

9. Compile a listing of the events and the entrants for the announcer. Assign each entrant a number. Make or purchase back numbers.

Day of Gymkhana

1. Set up the arena for the first event. Ensure all entrants know what the rules are by having them announced before the horse show starts.

2. Hold the classes.

3. Announce horse sports winners and award prizes.

4. Clean up the arena and grounds. Ask the participants to help.

Tips & Warnings

• If the arena is not equipped with a sound system, borrow one. Get some snappy music to play in the background while nothing is happening in the arena. Sometimes announcers supply their own equipment and music.

• Require a notarized signature on the responsibility releases and that a parent be present at the gymkhana.

• Have an Emergency Medical Technician with a first aid kit at the event in case of emergencies, and have a way to quickly call for an ambulance.