How to Organize a Gymkhana

There's nothing as good for the inside of a kid as the outside of a horse. A gymkhana is a play day with horses that consists of different horse sports.You can sponsor and organize a gymkhana to help kids in your area improve their horsemanship skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Flags
  • Stopwatches with fresh batteries
  • Public address system
  • Eggs
  • Spoons
  • Facial tissue
  • Barrels
  • Poles
  • Fliers
  • Entry forms
  • Ribbons or other prizes
  • Back numbers
Show More

Instructions

  1. Planning

    • 1

      Borrow an arena. It can be indoors or out, depending on the weather, but indoor is always good. Try to book a public facility, such as a fairgrounds arena, or check with other horse people for a facility.

    • 2

      Enlist the help of your horse buddies. Get an announcer, flaggers, timers and a show clerk.

    • 3

      Plan fun sports, such as the egg and spoon race, tissue paper equitation, keyhole race and do the traditional speed events like barrel racing and pole bending.

    • 4

      Invite area youngsters to attend. Set up age group divisions.

    • 5

      Advertise your event by putting up fliers in public places frequented by young horse people. Get word to 4-H clubs and schools.

    • 6

      Print and send out entry/release forms. Print rules on all entry forms and set a cut-off time for entries. Insist that release forms be signed by all custodial parents or guardians.

    • 7

      Charge a small entry fee for each class to help pay for ribbons and prizes or solicit donations from area businesses to help offset the cost.

    • 8

      Purchase ribbons and trophies, if desired, or give all cash prizes. Make your prizes progressive with the entry fees you collect, so the contest will sustain itself.

    • 9

      Compile a listing of the events and the entrants for the announcer. Assign each entrant a number. Make or purchase back numbers.

    Day of Gymkhana

    • 10

      Set up the arena for the first event. Ensure all entrants know what the rules are by having them announced before the horse show starts.

    • 11

      Hold the classes.

    • 12

      Announce horse sports winners and award prizes.

    • 13

      Clean up the arena and grounds. Ask the participants to help.