Gaming or Gymkhana events are for the speed and action junkies of the horse world.  Though there are many traditional events that are often seen at rodeos, such as Cloverleaf Barrels and Pole Bending, classes held by Pony Clubs or local horse clubs are limited only by the imaginations of show managers, judges and the riders themselves. 

Barrels - There are countless ways that barrels have been used to build games of speed by riders past and present.  Here are just a few of the many variations.


Cloverleaf Barrels  - The classic barrel race, considered the standard for speed riders in the rodeo circuts.  To be run around 3 barrels, once each, turning either right - left - left or left - right - right.


Barrel Rescue - Also known in the Midwest as Michigan Pickup, this is an event involving two barrels and two riders mounted double on one horse.  After crossing the timer, the back rider is dropped off onto the top of the first barrel.  Then the remaining rider and horse gallop down and around the second barrel at the end of the arena, heading back to the "passenger" still atop the first barrel.  The passenger is then rescued by the mounted rider in any way that allows the horse and both riders to safely cross the timer.  If any barrel is knocked down or any rider touches the ground, the team is eliminated.  This event is above all the favorite from my childhood, though it is seen much less often at shows these days.

Birangle - A barrel racing course using only two barrels.  Each barrel is run only once, with all turns either to the left or to the right.


Bleeding Heart - A race run using 3 barrels in a pattern resembling a valentine heart.

5o Yard Dash - To be run using only one barrel, 50 yards from the starting line, in a simple down, around, and back pattern.

Poles -Also known as Pole Bending or Down and Back Poles.  This event is an extreme test not only of a horse's speed, but his ability to stay straight and balanced while making quick, repeated flying lead changes at a canter/lope or gallop.  This is also one of the most popular of the events that do not use barrels.  Instead riders encounter 6 standing poles set 21 feet apart.  Each pole is weighted at the bottom so that they can stand firm in all but the strongest winds, but will fall easily if touched by horse or rider. 

After crossing the timer, the horse gallops straight to the far end of the arena, slightly past the last pole.  The rider may choose to start on either side of the poles, but must then be sure to gallop 'home' on the opposite side.  After reaching the farthest pole, the horse must carefully weave between each of the poles, heading towards the timer line.  When the pole nearest the timer is reached, the horse must turn completely and weave again through all of the poles until the farthest pole is reached.  After reaching the last pole, horse and rider gallop straight towards 'home' on the side opposite the one they used at the start of the race, crossing the timer.  Horse and rider are eliminated if they do not follow the pattern exactly, either by not weaving through all poles or not running down and back on the correct sides.  If a rider misses a pole but makes an immediate circle to weave around it, they are only faulted by the amount of time it took to make the manuver.  If a pole is knocked down, the show officials may choose to eliminate the horse and rider, or they may add one to several seconds to their final time.


Cone Race - The cone race is a gymkhana event that seems simple at first glance, but turns out to be quite a challenge!  TheGoal is for the rider to cross the timer with a ball in hand (usually a tennis ball) and gallop to the far end of the arena.  The rider must then reach out and place the ball into a cone, which has had the top few inches removed so that the ball can fall through and be captured insode of the cone. After getting the ball into the cone, horse and rider return 'home' and cross the timer.  An elimination occurs if the ball touches the ground or if, in the event a barrel is used to raise the cone, the barrel is knocked down.


Ribbon Race - As with many gymkhana events, especially the non-barrel or non-rodeo varieties, the Ribbon Race has endless variations between shows and even between different parts of the country.