Gymkhana.

Gymkhana is a term that is used to describe events that horses compete in that are timed. These events are also called speed events. This type of sport is recognized in fairs and children events even though it is also a professional sport. There are several different events that consist of a gymkhana event. Barrel racing, pole bending, barrel bending, keyhole, down and back, speed and action, and Indiana flag race are all different classes that a rider can participate in.

Barrel racing is an event where there is three barrels and the horse enters the arena and can either start going around the left barrel or the right barrel. The following picture shows the pattern with the right barrel as the starting barrel. Which barrel you start at all depends on whether or not your horse is better at his left or right lead. If you knock over a barrel there is five seconds added and two barrels is a disqualification.

The next event pole bending is where there are six poles that are lined up in the middle of the ring. The horse must run all the way down to the end pole and then begin to weave. Once the horse reaches the start pole they weave back down again and run down the side of the poles all the way home. The pattern is below. Again with this pattern, it is your choice to start on the left or right of the poles. If you knock over one pole there is five seconds added to your time and two poles is a disqualification.

The barrel bending pattern is very similar to the above pattern except the horse is not required to run down the side of the poles or run home along the side of the poles. The only requirement is that the horse weaves through the barrels down and back. If you knock a bucket over, there is five seconds added on to your time. If you knock over two, you are disqualified.

Keyhole is a pattern where the horse is required to run down and at the end of the arena, there is a keyhole looking object drawn in the sand with flour. The horse is required to run in the keyhole and turn around with out touching the flour or steeping outside of it. The pattern is below. You may turn either way, to the right or to the left.

 Down and back is very simple where all this pattern requires is the horse to run down the arena and run around one barrel. You may choose to run on the left or right. A tip to getting a fast time is to try to turn as close as you can to the barrel and do not complete an arena run. If you knock the barrel over you are disqualified.

Speed and action is a very fun class in where there is a box and the horse must run through the box. At the end of the arena there are three buckets and the horse must run between the barrels and look back around, run to the box, and stop in the box. If you do not stop in the box, you are disqualified. The pattern is below.

Lastly, Indiana flag race uses the barrel racing pattern as the template. There are two buckets set up on the first and third barrel. On one of the barrels there is a bucket on top of it with a flag in the bucket. On the opposite barrel there is just an empty bucket. The rider begins by choosing what side they want to grab the flag from. The rider then runs around the barrel and grabs the flag and makes a large loop around the second barrel and runs and drops the flag in the empty bucket. If you do not put the flag in the bucket you are disqualified.The pattern is below.

Lastly, if you stop forward motion or go off course you then become disqualified. Here is a video of a barrel pattern: Barrel Pattern