How to win a horse event

Healthy horse

To win an equestrian (or gymkhana) event, you and your horse must train to win. This may sound difficult, but self-discipline and hard work can make you and your horse a winning team. Training every day is necessary to condition your horse to win.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Plastic or metal barrels
• Sheet of old plywood
• Road cones
• Garden gate or field gate

1. 

   Events can be confusing for you and your horse, but training at home can teach your horse not to be afraid of things like boards on the ground and going through gates and maneuvering around cones.

2. A plywood sheet that's lying on the ground will help your horse win at this skill. Walk him over the board, around the board and over the board again. Next, ride him over the board, around the board and over the board again. He will then be used to the noise his hooves make trampling over the board. Don't forget to repeat exercise this every day.

3. Plastic or metal barrels can be set up in your yard or field for your horse to gallop around. Once he realizes what is expected of him, he will be only too willing to travel at top speed around those barrels! This practice will help you both win!

4. Nicely trained horse and rider

   The cones should be placed at strategic points in a line that the horse can maneuver around, cris-cross or to avoid whatever path or pattern that you decide your horse should take.

5. Riders on the road

   Opening and closing a gate, whether it be a field gate or a garden gate, has to be achieved while seated on your horse. While you are practicing for this event, it is best not to allow the horse to favor standing next to one particular side of the gate you are opening, but to let him stand on both sides equally while training.