GYMKHANA CLASS RULES

1. Cloverleaf Barrels
The equipment shall consist of three (3) barrels placed in a
triangle pattern. The pattern shall be set to best fit the
arena. A suggested pattern may be as follows: The right
and left barrels form the base of the triangle, which will be
parallel to the starting line and a maximum of 75' from each
other. The third barrel will be down the arena and will be a
maximum of 150' from the starting line. It will be equidistant
from the right and left barrels.

No barrel may be closer than 15' from any fence. The

pattern can be run either right or left. Contestant may touch
a barrel in an attempt to prevent it from falling over. Any
changes made in the pattern once a class has started will
cancel all times run and call for the rerunning to the entire
class.

Disqualifications:
Knock down of barrel, broken pattern, running off course or
separation of rider and horse/pony during the timing period
will disqualify contestant.

2. Flag Race
The three (3) barrels are placed in a triangle pattern, as in
cloverleaf barrels. The pattern will be set to fit the arena,
with no barrel closer than 15' from any fence. Flag is to be
picked up at first barrel, contestant to proceed around the
second barrel and deposit flag in container on third barrel
and then cross finish line. Containers for the flags shall be
at least the size of a two-gallon bucket (plastic or rubber).
Material in container (to about 1" from top) should be
suitable material to allow flag to be easily removed and
stuck, i.e., soybeans, corn, wheat, loose sand. Flag sticks
should be 18" in length with about 1/2" round dowel and
blunt ends. The container must be set on the outer edge of
the barrel and the flag in the outer edge of the container.
The same flags will be used by all contestants in a class. If
a flag breaks during the run, the rider will be given a rerun.
Rider may run the course to the right or left. The rider must
signal to the ring crew if they will be running right or left.

Disqualifications:
The rider will be disqualified for dropping the flag. Flag not
staying in the “stuck position” in the material inside the
container on the third barrel, not going around the second
barrel, knocking over any flag container, knocking over any
barrel, using the flag for a bat, running off course or
separation of rider and horse/pony during the timing period.

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3. Plug Race
Pattern will be set to fit arena, with one barrel used to run
at. Barrel may not be closer than 15' from any fence. Rider
may run left or right. Horse/pony must go around barrel.
Rider may touch barrel in an attempt to prevent it from
falling over. Barrel must stay in same place for entire class,
or entire class must be rerun, including original no times.

Disqualifications:
Contestant is disqualified for knocking barrel over,
breaking pattern or separation of rider and horse/pony
during the timing period.

4. Pole Bending
The six (6) poles, which are 6' tall, shall be 21' apart and
21' from the timing line to the first pole. The end pole must
also be at least 21' from the arena fence. The pattern may
be run left or right. Rider may touch pole to keep it from
going down. The decision to determine if a pole goes down
because of wind remains with the people designated as
the judges by the show committee.

Penalty:
There is a five (5) second penalty for each pole knocked
down.

Disqualifications:
Contestant is disqualified for a broken pattern, running off
course or separation of rider and horse/pony during the
timing period.

5. Keyhole
This event tests the ability of the rider to go in a 4' opening,
turn around within a 16' diameter circle and run out again
through the 4' opening. The lines should be 100' from the
timing line. Lime or flour can be used to lay out the pattern.
There should be a small mound of dirt, at the end of each
line, covered with lime or flour to mark the entrance. The
area surrounding the line should be raked after each run.

Disqualifications:
The contestant is disqualified for stepping on or outside the
markings of the circle or the opening and separation of
rider and horse/pony during the timing period.

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6. Speed and Action
A box that is 16' x 16' is outlined with lime or flour and is
located three (3) feet behind the timing line. A barrel to run
at is placed 125' from the starting line. This barrel may not
be closer than 15' from any fence. Mounted rider enters
the rear of the box and settles horse/pony for 5 seconds.
On judge's signal, contestant runs the pattern. The rider
must exit the front of the box (nearest barrel), ride around
the barrel, either left or right and then reenter the front of
the box for 5 seconds. The time starts when rider crosses
timing line and stops with recrossing of timing line. The
barrel must stay in place for the entire class. Rider may
touch barrel in an attempt to prevent it from falling over.

Disqualifications:
There will be no time if the rider does not enter the rear of
the box, if the barrel is knocked over, the horse/pony does
not stay inside the box for the two required five (5) second
timing periods, if the horse does not reenter the front of the
box, for a broken pattern, or separation of rider and
horse/pony during timing period.

7. LT Special
The two (2) barrels are placed in a straight line, horizontal
with the timing line. The pattern will be set to fit the arena,
with no barrel closer than 15' from any fence.

The pattern can be run either left or right. Contestant may

touch a barrel to prevent it from falling over. Any changes
made in the pattern once a class has started will cancel all
times run and call for the rerunning of the entire

Disqualifications:
Contestant is disqualified for knock down of barrel, broken
pattern, running off course, or separation of rider and
horse/pony during the timing period.

8. Key Race
Pattern is set 100 feet from the timing line. The pattern will
consist of 6 poles set 6 feet wide and 12 feet long. 3 poles
on each side set 6 feet apart. The rider will ride through
the poles, turn around, and ride back through the poles,
and across the timing line.

Disqualifications:
Knock down of any poles, broken pattern, running off
course or separation of rider and horse/pony during the
timing period will disqualify contestant.