Comments on How to Compete in a Pole Bending Event

When you first enter the arena, don't immediately take off as you enter. Make your horse trot a small circle, then go ahead and do your run. On your way back, don't run directly to the gate. Steer your horse to another part of the arena and then slow him and ride him back when he is calm, or get off and walk him back. If for some reason you are just sitting on your horse in the arena, don't let him stand by the gate. That will cause them to get sour, so they always want to leave. Also, sometimes it would be good to work your horse outside of the arena. You don't want your horse to think that hard work only happens in the arena. When you're riding, try to talk to your horse sometimes. It calms them if they're worked up. And if you talk to your horse enough, some people say they will understand your voice and will perform better! Have fun with your horse! Good luck!

Don't turn too wide, because extra seconds are no good. But turning too tight knocks the pole down, and that is bad also.

I always say "whoa" or "hup" or "easy" when I want my horse to rate himself. It really helps and he doesn't turn wide anymore. Just make sure when you cue him not to let him stop. That really ruins the run.

When you first enter the arena, don't immediately take off as you enter. Make your horse trot a small circle, then go ahead and do your run. On your way back, don't run directly to the gate. Steer your horse to another part of the arena and then slow him and ride him back when he is calm, or get off and walk him back. If for some reason you are just sitting on your horse in the arena, don't let him stand by the gate. That will cause them to get sour, so they always want to leave. Also, sometimes it would be good to work your horse outside of the arena. You don't want your horse to think that hard work only happens in the arena. When you're riding, try to talk to your horse sometimes. It calms them if they're worked up. And if you talk to your horse enough, some people say they will understand your voice and will perform better! Have fun with your horse! Good luck!

Don't turn too wide, because extra seconds are no good. But turning too tight knocks the pole down, and that is bad also.

Make sure when you are weaving through poles you are changing into the correct leads each time. Running at top speeds in the wrong lead can permanently hurt a horse.

Make sure when you are weaving through poles you are changing into the correct leads each time. Running at top speeds in the wrong lead can permanently hurt a horse.

Whenever poles were coming up I would always be so nervous. I knew that my horse could do it, but I was holding her back. I wanted to win, so I just told my horse and myself let's go and have fun, and it worked! I came in first. Another thing is to talk to the horse the whole way through, and use your legs!

Whenever poles were coming up I would always be so nervous. I knew that my horse could do it, but I was holding her back. I wanted to win, so I just told my horse and myself let's go and have fun, and it worked! I came in first. Another thing is to talk to the horse the whole way through, and use your legs!

When I go to turn I always check my horse up when I get to the second to last pole. That way he has time to slow down and be ready to turn. Also, when you turn around the end poles, put pressure on the horse with the inside leg, so your horse doesn't duck into the pole.

When I go to turn I always check my horse up when I get to the second to last pole. That way he has time to slow down and be ready to turn. Also, when you turn around the end poles, put pressure on the horse with the inside leg, so your horse doesn't duck into the pole.

I always say "whoa" or "h'up" or "easy" when I want my horse to rate himself. It really helps and he doesn't turn wide anymore. Just make sure when you cue him not to let him stop. That really ruins the run.

When you first enter the arena, don't immediately take off as you enter. Make your horse trot a small circle, then go ahead and do your run. On your way back, don't run directly to the gate. Steer your horse to another part of the arena and then slow him and ride him back when he is calm, or get off and walk him back. If for some reason you are just sitting on your horse in the arena, don't let him stand by the gate, that will cause them to get sour, so they always want to leave. Also, sometimes it would be good to work your horse outside of the arena, because you don't want your horse to think that hard work only happens in the arena. When you're riding, try to talk to your horse sometimes. It calms them if they're worked up, and if you talk to your horse enough some people say they will understand your voice and will perform better!

I always say "whoa" or "h'up" or "easy" when I want my horse to rate himself. It really helps and he doesn't turn wide anymore. Just make sure when you cue him not to let him stop. That really ruins the run.

Make sure that your hands are soft and that he's not fighting the bit. That will result in his throwing his head to the outside, away from the pole and he will not concentrate on the pattern. Often times when this happens I see riders jerking the reins, trying to pull the face back in line. That never works, and more often than not he ends up plowing into one or more poles. When practicing at home, teach him the pattern with repetitive runs at a walk, then trot, then lope, making sure he rests between runs. I never run a wide open pattern more than twice, if that, and I always make that my last exercise before cooling down. Avoid repetition and vary the workouts so that he doesn't grow sour. Sometimes it's good to just go out on a hack and let him do what he wants. He'll love it and it keeps him happy.

Make sure that your hands are soft and that he's not fighting the bit. That will result in his throwing his head to the outside, away from the pole and he will not concentrate on the pattern. Often times when this happens I see riders jerking the reins, trying to pull the face back in line. That never works, and more often than not he ends up plowing into one or more poles. When practicing at home, teach him the pattern with repetitive runs at a walk, then trot, then lope, making sure he rests between runs. I never run a wide open pattern more than twice, if that, and I always make that my last exercise before cooling down. Avoid repetition and vary the workouts so that he doesn't grow sour. Sometimes it's good to just go out on a hack and let him do what he wants. He'll love it and it keeps him happy.

Once I was running the poles and would have had a really great time, but my big feet had to get in the way. On my 9th turn, I forgot to tuck my feet and my right 9 1/2 size foot got in the way and knocked the pole. Always keep your feet tucked in to the horses side, it helps. Also, don't whip your horse in the arena at all because it will result in a horse unwilling to go in an arena and maybe even being ridden. Plus, whipping your horse will not shave seconds of the clock. It may seem like you're going faster, but that's only because you are doing more and moving quickly. The reality is that whipping will not speed your horse up. If your horse is reluctant to enter the arena, don't whip and spur him; get off and walk him in. It's that simple. Turn your horse to the rail once you get in the arena and when you're ready to run, turn him and cue him to go. This teaches them not to burst out from under you; you're the driver, not the car. Stay in control. So remember, keep your feet in, don't whip your horse, stay in control, and have fun.

Once I was running the poles and would have had a really great time, but my big feet had to get in the way. On my 9th turn, I forgot to tuck my feet and my right 9 1/2 size foot got in the way and knocked the pole. Always keep your feet tucked in to the horses side, it helps. Also, don't whip your horse in the arena at all because it will result in a horse unwilling to go in an arena and maybe even being ridden. Plus, whipping your horse will not shave seconds of the clock. It may seem like you're going faster, but that's only because you are doing more and moving quickly. The reality is that whipping will not speed your horse up. If your horse is reluctant to enter the arena, don't whip and spur him; get off and walk him in. It's that simple. Turn your horse to the rail once you get in the arena and when you're ready to run, turn him and cue him to go. This teaches them not to burst out from under you; you're the driver, not the car. Stay in control. So remember, keep your feet in, don't whip your horse, stay in control, and have fun.

I use both hands and switch from one hand to another, depending on what pole you are going around, but it is what makes a good run.

I use both hands and switch from one hand to another, depending on what pole you are going around, but it is what makes a good run.

if your horse is sour at the gate after you make your run stop turn arokung and get off and losen him up also when ever you are doing your slow work when weaving don't get so close to your poles that way when you make your run he'll know to stay off

When you run up parallel don't run up too far away from the poles, you can knock seconds off by turning too wide. But don't make the mistake of running too close to the poles or you could turn into the pole. Also, it's best to have a horse that neck reins, so you don't have to pull on the mouth. Have fun running the poles!

Relax and ride, that is the main thing (besides having a good horse). I was 8 and I had a horse that could run an 18 in poles, but I wouldn't relax and let her. After I learned to let her do it, I ran a 19 and won high point in the 16-18 year old division, and I was only 11! Relax and let you horse go. I advise you to do so only if your horse knows what it is doing.