NHS
Gymkhanas
Games on
Horseback
James
Long Park, Haymarket, VA
(map and directions using Google
Maps)
|
Gymkhana
is the action packed, precision fun-sport of the
equestrian world. The word `Gymkhana' is thought
to have originated in India, probably meaning
'games on horseback'.
The English military, during the
Colonial period, used horses for both
transportation and military maneuvers. On Sunday
afternoons, the calvary would compete in
horseback games to sharpen their horsemanship
for war.. Thus, Gymkhana had it's
beginning. Pole Bending can easily be seen
as good training for a Calvary charge through
dense forest. Games like the Rescue Race and
Cowhide Race were originated by the Native
American Indians as a way to rescue their
comrades in battle. The Pony Express Race, of
course, simulates the old time Pony Express
rider who delivered the mail between St. Louis
and Sacramento in the Old West.
In recent years Gymkhana has
been steadily gaining in popularity. New events
have been designed for fun competitions between
riders which bring into play the abilities of
the rider and the agility of the horse. A number
of events such as Barrel Racing, Pole Bending
and the Keyhole Race, can be found at gymkhanas
throughout the United States.
The very first event held by the
NHS after forming was the first annual NHS
Spring Gymkhana. This popularity of this
event led to the establishment of both the Fall
and Spring Gymkhanas as annual fun events for
the NHS. The Gymkhana isn't considered to
be a full fledged sport but was seen as fun
events or play days as relief from the more
serious classes in English and Western Shows
that have become popular in Northern Virginia
and with the NHS. Today's NHS Gymkhanas
are for the entire family, the young and the
young at heart. |
Spring
Gymkhana Class List
-
Children Bribe Your Horse- (Ages 12 and under) Run
up and around a barrel on foot holding a bucket of
grain with horse following.
-
Adult Bribe Your Horse- (Ages 13 and Older)
-
Bareback Ride-A-Buck- Must provide your own dollar
bill- placed under your thigh.
-
Bareback Equitation (English and Western) - Judged
on ability to perform asked gaits. Judged like a
pleasure class.
-
Costume Class- Most original or elaborate or pretty
costume wins.
-
Kids Leadline- Judged 50/50 Rider & Horse. Adult
leads child around at a walk.
-
Adult Leadline- Judged 50/50 Rider & Horse. Child
leads adult around at a walk.
-
Musical Chairs- When music stops, Riders DISMOUNT,
race to center WITH horse and sit in chairs - Last
one without a chair to sit in is out.
-
Drunkard’s Paradise- Must have 2 partners to ride
double. Front Rider holds baby bottle over shoulder,
so REAR rider can suck Kool-Aid down and must
completely drink a Baby Bottle while performing the
gait called
-
Ribbon Pairs- (2 partners)- Riders must hold a crepe
paper ribbon between them and perform gaits called
without breaking the ribbon.
-
Rider Switch Race- Riders must have a partner and be
on opposite sides of ring when music stops, Dismount
and SWITCH horses and mount back up. Last pair up is
out.
-
Jumping Race- Jump the jump, run around the barrel,
jump the jump on the way back home as fast as you
can!
-
Dolly Parton Race- Rider wears a bra, races to end,
puts in two water balloons, races back without
dropping or breaking water balloons.
-
Trivia Barrels- Race to the barrel and answer a
horse-related question correctly. Race back.
-
Gobble and Go- Race up to end, eat donut, race back.
-
Plug Barrel- Race up and one barrel and home
-
Barrels- Perform cloverleaf barrel pattern.
-
Flags- Rider must switch flags as they go around
barrel.
-
Poles- Race down, weave through poles, back up, go
home.
-
Keyhole- Race into keyhole without touching the
white line and back.
Up
to Date Coggins must be presented at Registration
booth
ONLY $6.00 a class for members, $9.00 per class for
non-members
$2.00 Admin fee per horse
-or-
Choose – “All day fees”
NHS Members - $50.00 for Individual
NHS Members - $85.00 Family
Non-members - $70.00 Individual
Non-members - $100.00 for Family
Show Rules for 2007
General
Rules that Apply to All NHS Shows:
-
All horses/ponies must show an original current
Coggins Test dated within one year for each horse
exhibited, and any other horse brought to the show
grounds. Anyone without such documentation will
be excused from Show Grounds and refused entrance to
classes. No Exceptions!
-
All entries must be accompanied by payment of all
necessary fees by way of cash or open check. Checks
may be made payable to NHS or Nokesville Horse Society.
-
There will be a $2.00 administration fee per
horse/rider combination at each show.
-
All fields on registration form must be filled out
completely. Registration must also be signed by
exhibitor and parent or guardian of exhibitor if under
18 years of age.
-
In order to receive your number you will need to
present current coggins; completed registration form;
and payment (cash/open check). Failure to
present the above will result in you being asked to
come back to registration when you have all the
necessary papers.
-
The Nokesville Horse Society, Prince William Park
Authority, Staff and Volunteers will not be held
responsible for accident, loss, injuries to
exhibitors, spectators, or animals, or damage to
equipment.
-
Should any question or dispute arise that is not
provided for in the aforementioned rules, the same
shall be submitted to the show management, whose
decision will be final.
-
The Judges’ decisions are FINAL – No Exceptions!
-
Exhibitors are hereby notified that any act of
discourtesy or disobedience to judges or show
officials on the part of the owner, trainer, rider,
groom or parent shall be grounds to disqualify the
horse and all entry fees and prizes will be forfeited.
-
Any exhibitor or spectator who is abusive to any
individual or animal may be removed from the grounds.
Safety is our main concern both in and out of the
ring.
-
No cursing, poor sportsmanship or bad conduct will be
tolerated and exhibitors will be asked to leave with
NO refund of class fees.
-
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash and contained
at all times unless we have to move to a different
facility due to inclement weather at which point dogs
will not be allowed.
-
All
exhibitors are expected to clean the area around their
trailer and to take any manure home with them.
Click Here for a Printable Show Program/Flyer
(Page will open in a new window in PDF format)
|
|
