One of my local shows has a fun day gymkhana tomorrow night. I have never run barrels, done keyhole, or done polebending. My horse probably has (???). I took him offsite Wednesday to a busy barn and he was a saint both for me and my trainer.
They have walk/trot classes. I’m not an advanced rider but I can certainly walk/trot. Someone tell me I have the guts to do this LOL
One way to look at this, competing is where you find out where you are, what you need to work on.
Go have fun, see how all goes.
Remember to smile.
You do!!! Go. Have fun - even if you just walk the courses you will have fun and meet new people. And who knows your horse might like it.
So I may not go tonight because I found out I would have to drive the truck alone on the highway
BUT
I may go next week to a different show where my husband can go
You can do it! Just remember to breathe and keep your eyes up; everything else is a bonus the first time out. Be sure to have someone take pictures to commemorate the moment. No matter how things go, you’ll want to remember this!
Keyhole is your friend. Most horses going fast are eliminated. Walk in, turn around and walk out and you might even get a ribbon.
Use the week for a bit of practice.
I sucked it up and went.
Someone backed my trailer into my spot for me because I was looking dazed at it so that was nice.
This horse has definitely done this before. Keyhole was first up and he took off before I was ready, turned around, and ran back out. I didn’t have to do more than steer minimally.
I made him trot the poles and the straight barrels–he’s out of shape and I can’t quite sit a canter without bouncing and I didn’t want to fall-and he was VERY pissy about not getting to race. Then we went home because horse was getting antsy and I was getting tired.
We just arrived home. It was a good night!
With a horse that knows his stuff, is already well patterned, you will have anticipation problems easily.
To manage that, do lots of just chill around and walking patterns on a loose rein, when very quiet maybe trotting a bit, but try not to practice runs themselves, even if you yourself need the practice, until you have a horse that doesn’t get up too much before the run itself.
You really would do best with some good instructor.
Ask who teaches 4H and junior rodeo kids.
A few handy tricks, see if you could take some lessons, so you can manage your own horse better.
You did great, that was a wonderful start.
For what I see, you can get easily addicted to those speed events, there is a rush for some in them.
Yay! Glad you went and had some fun!
Thanks guys! This was actually a wonderful opportunity to practice rounding and bending through the turns, as well as proper release and leg aids. All of which I cannot do yet at a higher gait. I know this horse has not done gymkhana in a very long time (I know his previous owners very well and update them several times a week) but he clearly still remembers.
my mare would twist her head around to look me in the eye apparently trying to tell me “listen to me, let me explain this to one more time …this is how its done”… she was a good horse, very patient
OP, glade you went and it gets better
Lessons are your friend. Gymkhana horses can get very unruly at the start. I agree with Bluey.
I take weekly lessons and just started trailering my horse in rather than taking lessons on the school horses. I don’t see myself doing gymkhana as a regular thing, maybe just occasionally for fun and as a thing to do. I have no aspirations for serious competition and spend most of my riding time practicing basic skills at this point.
This sounds like you are on the correct and in the long run will be the safest and fastest path. Enjoy your journey.
Have fun and enjoy all the hard work you have been putting in! Glad it was a good experience.
Oh I am glad that you went and had fun! Sounds like your boy had fun, too! Right on!!!
Yay for you @dungrulla !
First for going at all.
Second for driving yourself.:applause:
I agree with Bluey & add maybe your nerves transferred “down the reins” & your knowledgeable horse picked up on that cue?
I’ve found if I am the least bit nervous waiting to go into a Driving class my mini gets fussy too.
If someone talks to me - not heading him, just engaging me - I calm down & so does he.
Anyhow, sure sounds like you’ll be an old hand at showing in no time.:encouragement:
No Rush, No Fuss, do it at your own pace.
First time I went to a show all by my lonesome, no SO to back the rig into a spot, was the first time my mare (that I raised and trained myself) and I won the open HUS. I did put a ding on the trailer backing out though. :lol:
Well I had my weekly lesson and my instructor told me I was exactly right doing things slow and correct instead of fast 
He was great this week.
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