GYMKHANA EVENTS
181 General Rules for Timed Events
A. Attire: See Western Attire
B. Equipment: See Western Tack (NOTE: In Gymkhana events, Hackamore Gag bits i.e. Martha Josey or Lynn McKenzie type and tiedowns are a legal bit.
C. Hat: The rider’s hat or helmet must be on his/her head when he or she enters the arena. The rider should be reminded that loosing a hat and taking the time to retrieve it is time consuming and may add significant and expensive time to a show. It is recommended the rider secure the hat or helmet in such a way that if it should be knocked off that it will not fall to the ground. .
D. Timer: An electronic timer will be used when available as first timing device and a stop watch will be used as back up. When there is a significant amount of difference between the two times (3 seconds), a re-ride should be given.
E. Starting line: In all speed events, mules and donkeys should be given a running start. A clearly marked starting line is required. It is recommended that there be at least 45 foot running start before the starting line. If the arena does not afford at least a 45 foot running start, it is recommended that the contestant be allowed to begin the run outside the arena from a point that is 45 feet from the starting line. Caution should be exercised to keep spectators and other exhibitors out of the way of a contestant who is beginning a running start outside the arena.
182 Pole Bending
A. Pole bending is a timed event. Each contestant will begin from a running start, and time shall begin and end as the mule’s nose crosses the line. (A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.) Electronic timer or at least two stop watches shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric timer or the average time of the watches used by official timers to be the official time.
B. When measuring the area for the poles, it is recommended that there is ample room for the mules to complete their turns and stop at the finish and to have a 45’ foot running start as outlined in General Rules.
C. The pole bending pattern is to be run around six poles. Each pole is to be 21’ feet apart, and the first pole is to be 21’ feet from the starting line. Poles shall be set on top of the ground, six (6’) feet in height, with no base more than fourteen (14”) inches in diameter.
D. A mule may start either to the right or to the left of the first pole and then run the remainder of the pattern accordingly. (see pattern).
183 Barrel Racing
A. Barrel racing is a timed event. The course must be measured exactly.
B. When measuring the area for the barrel course, it is imperative to leave ample room for mules and donkeys to complete their turns and stop at the finish. It is recommended that there be at least 45’ foot running start before the starting line as outlined in General Rules, at least 18’ feet from barrels 1 and 2 to the fence, and 36’ feet from barrel 3 to the end of the arena.
1. If the course is too large for the available space, the pattern should be reduced (5) yards at a time until the pattern fits the arena. It is recommended that adequate space be left between barrels and any obstacle. The distance from the barrel number 3 to the finish line need not be reduced 5 yards at a time if there is sufficient room for the mule to stop. Brightly colored 55 gallon steel drums with both ends intact are recommended. Rubber pads, plastic barrels, or rubber barrels may be used.
C. All starting line marker or electric timers shall be placed when at all possible against the arena fence. An electric timer or at least two stop watches shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric timer or average time of the watches used by official timers to be the official time.
D. The contestant is allowed a running start. Timing shall begin as soon as the mule’s nose reaches the starting line and will be stopped when the mule’s nose passes over the finish line.
E. At a signal from the starter, the contestant will run to barrel number 1, pass to the left of it and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it; then to barrel number 2, pass to the right of it, and complete a slightly more than 360 degree turn around it; then to barrel number 3, pass to the right of it, and sprint to the finish line, passing between barrel number 1 and 2.
F. This barrel course may also be run to the left.
183 Keyhole Race
A. Keyhole is drawn on the ground with white lime in the following dimensions:
1. Lane -4’ foot wide and 8 feet long
2. Circle - 20’ feet in diameter
3. Center of circle to be 150’ feet from timing line.
4. The back of the circle should be at least 30’ feet from the end of the arena.
B. Contestant is allowed a 45’ foot running start as described in General Gymkhana rules.
C. Contestant enters lane, turns animal around in the keyhole circle, and races back down the lane to the finish line.
D. Stepping on or out of any of the lines results in disqualification.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWMzeTp71A&NR=1
184 Pylon Alley
A. An alley with the following dimensions is set up with pylons (traffic cones) 21’ feet from timer line, 5’ feet wide, 21’ feet between side cones and end set of cones, 5’ feet between the 3 cones set at the end with the center cone placed in the center of the alley.
B. Contestant is allowed a 45’ foot running start as described in General Gymkhana rules.
C. Knocking over any cone or stepping across the center cone results in disqualification.
Link to YouTube video: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=QG291gAgcGU&feature=related
181 General Rules for Timed Events
A. Attire: See Western Attire
B. Equipment: See Western Tack (NOTE: In Gymkhana events, Hackamore Gag bits i.e. Martha Josey or Lynn McKenzie type and tiedowns are a legal bit.
C. Hat: The rider’s hat or helmet must be on his/her head when he or she enters the arena. The rider should be reminded that loosing a hat and taking the time to retrieve it is time consuming and may add significant and expensive time to a show. It is recommended the rider secure the hat or helmet in such a way that if it should be knocked off that it will not fall to the ground. .
D. Timer: An electronic timer will be used when available as first timing device and a stop watch will be used as back up. When there is a significant amount of difference between the two times (3 seconds), a re-ride should be given.
E. Starting line: In all speed events, mules and donkeys should be given a running start. A clearly marked starting line is required. It is recommended that there be at least 45 foot running start before the starting line. If the arena does not afford at least a 45 foot running start, it is recommended that the contestant be allowed to begin the run outside the arena from a point that is 45 feet from the starting line. Caution should be exercised to keep spectators and other exhibitors out of the way of a contestant who is beginning a running start outside the arena.
182 Pole Bending
A. Pole bending is a timed event. Each contestant will begin from a running start, and time shall begin and end as the mule’s nose crosses the line. (A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.) Electronic timer or at least two stop watches shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric timer or the average time of the watches used by official timers to be the official time.
B. When measuring the area for the poles, it is recommended that there is ample room for the mules to complete their turns and stop at the finish and to have a 45’ foot running start as outlined in General Rules.
C. The pole bending pattern is to be run around six poles. Each pole is to be 21’ feet apart, and the first pole is to be 21’ feet from the starting line. Poles shall be set on top of the ground, six (6’) feet in height, with no base more than fourteen (14”) inches in diameter.
D. A mule may start either to the right or to the left of the first pole and then run the remainder of the pattern accordingly. (see pattern).
183 Barrel Racing
A. Barrel racing is a timed event. The course must be measured exactly.
B. When measuring the area for the barrel course, it is imperative to leave ample room for mules and donkeys to complete their turns and stop at the finish. It is recommended that there be at least 45’ foot running start before the starting line as outlined in General Rules, at least 18’ feet from barrels 1 and 2 to the fence, and 36’ feet from barrel 3 to the end of the arena.
1. If the course is too large for the available space, the pattern should be reduced (5) yards at a time until the pattern fits the arena. It is recommended that adequate space be left between barrels and any obstacle. The distance from the barrel number 3 to the finish line need not be reduced 5 yards at a time if there is sufficient room for the mule to stop. Brightly colored 55 gallon steel drums with both ends intact are recommended. Rubber pads, plastic barrels, or rubber barrels may be used.
C. All starting line marker or electric timers shall be placed when at all possible against the arena fence. An electric timer or at least two stop watches shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric timer or average time of the watches used by official timers to be the official time.
D. The contestant is allowed a running start. Timing shall begin as soon as the mule’s nose reaches the starting line and will be stopped when the mule’s nose passes over the finish line.
E. At a signal from the starter, the contestant will run to barrel number 1, pass to the left of it and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it; then to barrel number 2, pass to the right of it, and complete a slightly more than 360 degree turn around it; then to barrel number 3, pass to the right of it, and sprint to the finish line, passing between barrel number 1 and 2.
F. This barrel course may also be run to the left.
183 Keyhole Race
A. Keyhole is drawn on the ground with white lime in the following dimensions:
1. Lane -4’ foot wide and 8 feet long
2. Circle - 20’ feet in diameter
3. Center of circle to be 150’ feet from timing line.
4. The back of the circle should be at least 30’ feet from the end of the arena.
B. Contestant is allowed a 45’ foot running start as described in General Gymkhana rules.
C. Contestant enters lane, turns animal around in the keyhole circle, and races back down the lane to the finish line.
D. Stepping on or out of any of the lines results in disqualification.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWMzeTp71A&NR=1
184 Pylon Alley
A. An alley with the following dimensions is set up with pylons (traffic cones) 21’ feet from timer line, 5’ feet wide, 21’ feet between side cones and end set of cones, 5’ feet between the 3 cones set at the end with the center cone placed in the center of the alley.
B. Contestant is allowed a 45’ foot running start as described in General Gymkhana rules.
C. Knocking over any cone or stepping across the center cone results in disqualification.
Link to YouTube video: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=QG291gAgcGU&feature=related
185 Cones and Barrels
A. A timed event, in which the course is to be measured exactly.
B. The course will be set as follows:
1. Three cones placed down the center of the arena at 21 feet intervals from the timer line.
2. Then the barrel pattern to be set as listed in class 183 Barrel Racing.
3. The contestant would start on either side of the cones weaving the cones then running a barrel pattern and then weaving the cones the opposite way back out when coming home from the third barrel. EXAMPLE: if the contestant would wish to be turning the right barrel first they would start the pattern be weaving the left side of the first cone then right side of the second cone then the left side of the third cone going on the right barrel and running a barrel pattern when leaving the third barrel the contestant would weave the cones left right left and crossing the timer line to finish the pattern.
C. Knocking over any of the obstacles would result in a five second penalty.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hPlnJdguQk&feature=related
A. A timed event, in which the course is to be measured exactly.
B. The course will be set as follows:
1. Three cones placed down the center of the arena at 21 feet intervals from the timer line.
2. Then the barrel pattern to be set as listed in class 183 Barrel Racing.
3. The contestant would start on either side of the cones weaving the cones then running a barrel pattern and then weaving the cones the opposite way back out when coming home from the third barrel. EXAMPLE: if the contestant would wish to be turning the right barrel first they would start the pattern be weaving the left side of the first cone then right side of the second cone then the left side of the third cone going on the right barrel and running a barrel pattern when leaving the third barrel the contestant would weave the cones left right left and crossing the timer line to finish the pattern.
C. Knocking over any of the obstacles would result in a five second penalty.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hPlnJdguQk&feature=related
186 Flag Race
A. The Flag Race is a timed event. Contestants will be allowed a 45’ foot running start before the starting line as described in the General Gymkhana Rules.
B. A barrel is set at the far end of the arena at least 18 feet from the end of the arena.
C. A can or bucket filled with sand or dirt of approximately five gallon size will be set on top of the barrel. A flag secured to a stick approximately 15” inches long is set in the can or bucket.
D. Contestant must circle barrel, pick up the flag and carry it across the finish line.
E. Striking the animal with the flag, failure to circle the barrel or carry the flag across the finish line will result in disqualification.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDBEn6RowAw&feature=related
A. The Flag Race is a timed event. Contestants will be allowed a 45’ foot running start before the starting line as described in the General Gymkhana Rules.
B. A barrel is set at the far end of the arena at least 18 feet from the end of the arena.
C. A can or bucket filled with sand or dirt of approximately five gallon size will be set on top of the barrel. A flag secured to a stick approximately 15” inches long is set in the can or bucket.
D. Contestant must circle barrel, pick up the flag and carry it across the finish line.
E. Striking the animal with the flag, failure to circle the barrel or carry the flag across the finish line will result in disqualification.
Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDBEn6RowAw&feature=related