GYMKHANA RULES

Mandatory attire, boots with heels.

1. Gymkhana classes will be run regardless of weather conditions, as long as conditions are the same for all contestants of that event; and conditions are safe for both horse and rider.

2. Contestants will be disqualified if the event is not started 30 seconds after entering the arena.

3. Rider must dismount his/her horse prior to leaving the arena after their run is complete.

4. Any contestant striking his/her horse in front of the cinch with anything other than his/her open hand shall be disqualified.

5. Acceptable Gymkhana Tack: Western type equipment must be used. Use of a hackamores (including mechanical hackamores) or other type of bridles is the optional choice of the contestant; however, the show manager or any officers of AHA may prohibit the use of bits or equipment considered being severe in nature.

6. If there are less than three (3) entries in an event, the class may be canceled or combined. The contestants will be notified.

7. BOOTS WITH HEELS ARE MANDATORY IN ALL CLASSES, HELMETS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

8. Tank tops must have straps that are no smaller than two fingers wide in any class.

*Show committee reserves the right to move contestants from novice to adult class if the contestant’s times are sufficient as to place them consistently in the top four of the adult standings.

CLOVERLEAF BARRELS

Barrels #1 & #2 shall be 30 feet from the starting line, barrel #3 shall be 75 feet from the first two (2) barrels. The distance between barrels #1 & #2 shall be 75 feet. Knocking over a barrel shall carry a five (5) second penalty. Failure to follow the course shall be cause for disqualification.

IN-LINE BARRELS

35' from the start line to the first barrel, 35' between barrels 1 and 2, and 35' between barrels 2 and 3. You can start on either the right or left side of the first barrel, weave between barrels 1 and 2, and weave between barrels 2 and 3, go completely around the top barrel, and continue to weave the barrels back to the start line. Knocking over a barrel shall carry a five (5) second penalty. Failure to follow the course shall be cause for disqualification.

POLE BENDING

To be run around six (6) poles; each pole 21 feet apart, with the first pole 21 feet from the starting line. Pattern being run along either side of the poles, reverse, weave in and out of poles, reverse, weave in and out of poles, reverse, return to finish line on opposite side of poles from start. Each pole knocked over is a five (5) second penalty. Breaking the pattern is a disqualification.

KEYHOLE   (poles)

 Enter the keyhole between four (4) poles which are six (6) feet apart in width and ten (10) feet apart in length. Reverse and return to starting line between the poles. Poles start 80 feet from the starting line. Knocking over a pole will be a five (5) second penalty. Off course is a disqualification.

FLAG RACE * distances may need to be changed due to arena size

Barrels shall be 100 feet from the starting line, 100 feet apart. Pattern to be run from left to right or right to left. Place the flag you were given in the first can, go to second barrel and remove the flag that is there, then return to the finish line. Disqualification's are: Not putting the flag in the first can, (it must remain there), knocking over a can and/or a barrel, crossing finish line without the flag or hitting the horse with the flag.

FLYING W

There shall be five (5) poles. Poles 1, 3, and 5 are placed 42 feet from the start-finish line. Poles 2 and 4 are placed 21 feet from the start /finish line. The distance between poles is 21 feet. The rider shall ride in a weaving pattern after crossing the start/finish line. The course may be started from the right or left of pattern. The rider must end his/her ride on the opposite side of the pattern that he/she started from. There is a five (5) second penalty for each pole knocked over.