A Gymkhana is a local Western-style horse competition designed for beginners. The people who are learning how to ride get to show off the skills they have learned. It also gives them something to work towards while training. It’s in the same fashion that if a student is studying music in school, they have a recital at the end of the year. Their “instruments” are just a lot heavier and harder to control because they are living animals. This is where the brave contestants at the Rodeo get their start. These riders are the future of Rodeo.

Before I get into the events themselves, I have to explain the word arena. To most, the arena is the entire location. Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia Flyers, is onto itself, an arena. However, in the world of rodeo, arena refers to the area in which the action happens. The best comparison I can think of is a hockey game. The area that the players play on is referred to as “on the ice”. This is the same sentiment in Rodeo, but instead of “on the ice” we refer to it as “in the arena”, which is always covered with sand.

Watching a Gymkhana is like watching the Olympics. There are several events and each event has winners in the top 4 spots all based on time. What are the events you may ask?

Barrel Racing

Three barrels are set up in a triangle pattern. Riders must ride a clover leaf pattern rounding each barrel before heading back to the gate.

Each rider must run down to the end of the arena, turn around a single barrel and then head back to the gate.

Barrel Dash

Pole Bending

A series of poles are set up in the arena. Riders must ride up one side of the poles, turn and weave in and out of the poles, turn again and ride down the opposite side of the poles before returning to the gate.

Bow Ties

Keyhole

Four poles are set up (two on each side of the arena). Riders must ride through the middle, circle around a pole on either side then back down the middle and head back to the gate.

Four poles are set up (two on each side of the arena). Riders must go through the middle of the four poles, turn around behind them, then run back to the gate down the middle of the poles again.

Obstacle

The obstacle event is made up on the spot by the trainers that help the contestants through the day. The objective is to come up with an obstacle that tests two or more of the skills demonstrated in the prior events. It can be a mix of any of the above-mentioned events, or it could be something new mixed in. They come up with it on the spot so that no one has any prior knowledge of the course to make it fair for everyone. The trainers are proud of their students working hard all day so the obstacle is something thrown in for fun. I have seen them mix in poles, barrels, and even a jumping event. I have covered each event and have come to know how to cover it. However, once they threw in an egg event in that I had never seen before. Three riders at a time are given a spoon with an egg on it. They must walk around the arena without dropping their egg. The last contestant standing, wins.

If you have never witnessed a Gymkhana, check out the three galleries of photos I have at the bottom of this page. I highly recommend checking it out some time. It is free to watch, it’s exciting to cheer on the contestants, and most of all, it really builds confidence in these riders.

The first time I saw my 11-year-old daughter stop a thousand-pound horse on a dime, it took my breath away. I was so proud of her.

There are only two more events for the 2022 season. Do yourself a favor and check them out!

Special thanks to Kayla Nieratko for helping me with this article. She has also been a huge help in pushing my daughter to her limits and showing her what she is capable of! All the trainers at Dun Hollow do a fantastic job not only in training but also serving as great models for these young riders to look up to.

Check out there remaining 2 Gymkhanas for the season. If you know of anyone interested in learning to ride, contact:
Carol Ann Nieratko
Dun Hollow Stables
86 E Branch Rd,
Allentown, NJ 08501
(848) 210-4307