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What is Gymkhana?
A good definition of Gymkhana would be precision, obstacle horse racing. The ideal Gymkhana horse has the speed of a race horse,
the turning quickness and agility of a cutting horse and the control and responsiveness of the stock horse. However, any horse can
learn Gymkhana and win, who is willing to listen and respond immediately to their rider. It’s all about responsiveness whether to
walk, trot, or run, stop, turn, side pass, jump, or wait. It’s a safe, fun way to learn how to ride a horse.
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 its beginnings.
In the past …
Through the years different events have been added, some of which originated in Europe
and others which were developed in this country. Ring Spearing, an event that is still part
of Gymkhana in some areas resembles the knight in medieval days riding full charge with
his lance aimed at his enemy. The British Bengal Lancer engaged in Tent-Pegging, using
his lance to unearth the tent pegs of the enemy, bringing down the tent on his adversaries.
Pole Bending can easily be seen as good training for a Calvary charge through dense
forest. The Rescue Race and Cowhide Race were originated by the Native American
Indians as a way to rescue their comrades in battle. Similarly, the Speedball Race may
have derived from the Native American Indians counting “coup” in which they would
touch their enemies without harming them. The Pony Express Race, of course, simulated
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 competition between riders which bring into play the abilities of the rider
and the speed and handiness 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. Some of the events you
will find in a modern day Gymkhana Show are:
Pole Bending
Pole Bending is one of the most common gymkhana events today. A line of
six poles are set up twenty feet apart, and the horse and riders have to weave
in and out of them as fast as they can, turn around the last pole, and bend
back and forth through the poles to the finish line and through timing poles.
If the rider misses a pole s/he must go back and correct the course. The only
penalty they incur is the extra time to correct the course. There is a 2 second
penalty for any down poles. This event teaches the student to control his/her
mount as well as being able to stop and turn him/her.
Barrel Racing
Women’s barrel racing is probably the most popular gymkhana event and it is
also performed at many professional rodeos. In barrel racing the horse and rider
run around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. The barrels are set up in a large
triangle, with the base of the triangle parallel to the arena entrance. The rider
runs toward one of the barrels at the base of the triangle-either to the left or the
right, per their preference,-circles it, then runs to the other barrel at the base of the
triangle and circles it in the opposite direction that the first barrel was turned.
S/he then proceeds to the top of the triangle to circle the third barrel in the same
direction as the second barrel before making a bee-line back toward the entrance.
The horse and rider with the fastest time who completes the pattern without
knocking over any barrels wins.
Keyhole Race
The Keyhole Race is very fast and very simple. A large keyhole shape
(like what the old skeleton key fit in) is drawn in the dirt and filled in
with white powder like chalk or flour. The entrance is four feet across
and the keyhole is 10 feet long. The circle of the Keyole is the widest
point with a 20 foot circumfrance. The rider gallops through the
Keyhole alley, into the center of the Keyhole circle, turns around using
a roll-back maneuver and gallops back out and through the timing
poles. The horse and rider with the fastest time without stepping on a
line or outside the Keyhole wins.
There are 13 different events in the California Gymkhana Association
including Barrels, Big T, Birangle, Figure 8 Flag, Figure 8 Stake,
Hurry Scurry, Keyhole, Poles I, Poles II, Quadrangle, Speedball, Speed Barrels, Single
Stake (see below) which keep horses and riders fresh. Horses don’t get sour running the
same event all the time and learn events from different disciplines. Pole Bending is like an
English event because it asks for a series of two strides and a flying lead changes through
the poles. Keyhole comes from the Reining discipline because it asks for a slide stop and
roll-back. Hurry Scurry is a jumping event over three 12” jumps. Some events are speed
events and some events are agility events that require the rider to do something while going
around an obstacle. For example, Figure 8 Flag asks the rider to guide his/her horse in a
figure 8 pattern around two barrels. As they pass each barrel they must exchange a flag they
are carrying with the one that is sitting in a bucket on top of the barrel. In the Speedball
event the rider rides down the arena turns around an orange cone with a 4” hole in the top
and must drop a golf ball into it as s/he is going around. All of the events have proper ways
of executing the event in order to keep themselves and their horse safe.
Gymkhana is the most affordable equine sport competition. Clubs give
awards in each event, days Hi-Point Awards, and points toward Year End
Awards. Some clubs give saddles for Hi-Point Year End Awards in each of
the speed divisions which include Lead-Line, Future Champion, A Division,
AA Division, AAA Division, and 3A+ Division. In addition some clubs
have Youth and Adult Divisions for each of the speed divisions.
As a trainer I compete at shows
throughout California who are
sponsored by the California
Gymkhana Association and
encourage my students to
participate as well. Gymkhana
shows are very affordable, family
oriented and a great way to push
ourselves to improve our riding
abilities. A beginner rider can
compete for a season at a trot and
slow lope and end up winning a
saddle Year End Award.
California Gymkhana Association (CGA)
The California Gymkhana Association was founded in 1972 by Gymkhana people for Gymkhana people. It was founded to serve all
horsemen who want to participate in Gymkhana riding, to offer all riders the opportunity to compete under a uniform set of rules that
are suited to their abilities, and to bring to many more young people the enjoyment of horsemanship and sportsmanship that
Gymkhana can provide.
CGA has developed a Gymkhana Rule Book that has become the standard for Gymkhana throughout California. The rules of the
California Gymkhana Association allow management flexibility in the design of Gymkhana shows while meeting the general
guidelines of the rules.
CGA is comprised of Districts/Clubs throughout the State of California. CGA supports its districts/clubs by providing year end awards
for the riders, rule book, information manual, World of Gymkhana™ newspaper, State Championship Show, Southern & Northern
Spring Classic Shows, Jamboree, and the CGA Annual State Convention and Awards Banquet.
Unlike most organizations which provide awards for relatively few people in the State, CGA has over 5,000 riders that may sign up in
its various programs. A large number of these riders attend and are honored at the CGA Annual Convention and Awards Banquet each
year. CGA Awards Program
CGA has a variety of Year-End Award programs to fit riders and horses of any level, from Future Champion to Hall of Fame. Review
the list below to determine the Awards Program that best fits your needs. The Awards Program is explained in Section 3 of the CGA
Information Manual
Only CGA members are eligible for the Awards Program. To earn an award, you must first sign up for the award you wish to earn.
Signing up for an award does not guarantee you the award. You must meet the qualifications of the award as listed in the CGA
Information Manual. Riders must sign up within 60 days of a show for the rides to be counted. Once paid, fees are non-refundable.
Awards are based on a specified rider/mount combination. Should your mount change, you may transfer fees to another mount, but
you cannot transfer times from one mount to another. Awards are distributed at the Annual State Convention.
Level 1 Award: Earn a silver buckle or silver breast collar set. To earn this award in the Future
Champion division, the rider/mount combination must be 'rated' with 3 successful
rides in at least four events. Qualifications for divisions higher than Future Champion
become successively more difficult to achieve. Champion or Reserve Champion silver
buckles may be earned in the following divisions: FC, A, AA, AAA, AAA+, with the
exception that there is no Reserve Champion in the Future Champion division.
Level 2 Award Earn a silver bracelet or silver bridle set. To earn this award in the Future Champion
division, the rider/mount combination must be 'rated' with 5 successful rides in at least
four events. Qualifications for divisions higher than Future Champion become
successively more difficult to achieve. Champion or Reserve Champion silver buckles
may be earned in the following divisions: FC, A, AA, AAA, AAA+, with the
exception that there is no Reserve Champion in the Future Champion division.
Top Rating Award Earn a personalized CGA jacket! To earn a Top Rating Award, you must 'rate' with 3 successful rides in more than half of the events
(at least 7 events), which is where the 'Top Rating' comes from. The jacket inscription will reference the qualifying division of rating,
and will include an embroidered barrel racer and the rider's name. Signing up for this award automatically qualifies you for a Level 1
award, as well. There are additional fees to apply for a Level 2 award, or both Level 1 and 2, depending on the submitted application
and fees
Family Team Award Sign up two or more members of a family, and all can earn matching, yet personalized, CGA jackets! The family name will be
embroidered on the back with the team member's rating level. The members name will be printed on the front. The family members
must be related by law or legal guardianship. The team may include parents, children, grandparents, or other relatives. Each member
of the team must achieve at least the rating (3 successful rides) level of Future Champion in each of four events. Signing up for this
award automatically includes a Level 1 award, as well. Additional fees will qualify a team member for a Level 2 award, or both Level
1 and 2 awards, depending on the submitted application and fees.
Race Of Champions Run for the Hall of Fame! This program is designed for the fastest and most accurate riders. There is an ROC horse program and an
ROC pony program. A gorgeous, engraved Hall of Fame buckle and framed picture is awarded to those achieving a AAA+ rating in at
least 12 of the 13 events, based on the CGA rating matrix. A special buckle is awarded to each All Around Champion (horse and
pony). The top 10 riders (at least AAA rated) in each program (horses and ponies) will receive an Elite Top 10 buckle. The Champion
and Reserve Champion (best 3 ride average) in each event will receive an embroidered, personalized CGA ROC jacket. Best single
time in an event earns you an inscribed medallion. More awards are available. Those who do not enter the Hall of Fame will
automatically receive a Level 1 award. Keep track of your standings throughout the year with the ROC Report (Reports button). Hall
of Famers must make an acceptance speech at the Annual State Convention.
Senior Elite Award If you are 45+ years old and riding a fast horse, the Senior Elite Hall of Fame program may be for you! A gorgeous, engraved Senior
Elite Hall of Fame buckle is awarded to those achieving a Senior Elite AAA+ rating in at least 10 of the 13 events, based on the CGA
rating matrix. A special buckle is awarded to the All Around Champion. The top 10 riders (at least AAA rated) will receive a Senior
Elite Top 10 buckle. If the rider does not also receive a Senior Elite Champion or Reserve Champion jacket, they have the option of
receiving a Senior Elite Hall Top 10 Jacket instead of a Top 10 Buckle. The Champion and Reserve Champion (best 3 ride average) in
each event will receive an embroidered, personalized CGA Senior Elite jacket. Best single time in an event earns you an inscribed
medallion. Those who do not enter the Senior Elite Hall of Fame will automatically receive a Level 1 award. Keep track of your
standings throughout the year with the Senior Elite Report (Reports button). If the rider does not also receive a Senior Elite Champion
or Reserve Champion jacket, they have the option of receiving a Senior Elite Hall of Fame Jacket instead of a Hall of Fame Buckle.
Number of Events Required for Rating
Division Champion Reserve Champion
Future Champion 4 --
A 6 4
AA 8 6
AAA 10 8
AAA+ 12 10
California Gymkhana Association So. CA Clubs
District 15 Commancheros:
Randy Young (951) 684-9058 or Ryhannon (951)642-4725 email: [email protected] www.gac15.org GAC on MySpace® Location Horseman's Center Park 24320 Hwy 18 Apple Valley, CA 92307
District 17 Modjeska Mavericks:
Kelly Pierce (949) 597-9466
Becky Butts (951) 809-6174
email: [email protected]
www.modjeskamavericks.org
Location Ingalls Park Equestrian Center
Located at the east end of Sixth Street in Norco
3737 CRESTVIEW DR.
NORCO, CA 92860-1772
District 20 Norco Ranglers
Gina LaRock (951) 687-7350
email: [email protected]
Club updates on Facebook Norco Ranglers
www.norcoranglers.org
Location Ingalls Park Equestrian Center
Located at the east end of Sixth Street in Norco
3737 CRESTVIEW DR.
NORCO, CA 92860-1772
District 33 V-Spurs
Andy Krogh (760) 505-8241
email: [email protected]
www.VSpurs.com
Location Walnut Grove Park Arena
E Olive St & Sycamore Dr
San Marcos, CA 92069
