Club Rules and Regulations
For the safety of all these must be adhered to. We have been reluctant in the past to bombard people with rules, however, with the increase in Pee Wees, riders, horses, spectators, and people in general, we are finding we need to be having them for everyone involved.
General Gymkhana Rules
Arena Etiquette
At this time we have decided to forgo the arena monitor we put in place at the end of 2019 in favour of returning to the age old idea of learning arena etiquette during warm up. This can be revisited at any time. Upon doing a little research on the subject to ensure consistency, and to get my ideas in a row, and perhaps to remember some of the ones I have forgotten over the years, I came across the reference to the warm up arena being called "The Vortex of Death". I would say that is an apt name for it, for sure, as well as the statement "the warm up arena can be Chaos." Too true. Crazy horses ridden by crazier women are forced together while working out quirks and kinks. It can be intimidating and dangerous, but it doesn't have to be. With that all in mind...I very much enjoy seeing new people, young and old, get into the sport of gymkhana and barrel racing, but with that being said not everyone knows the etiquette that goes along with it. So this is for everyone who needs to learn, or be reminded. Please share with your kids as well.
It is up to all members to know these:
ANY issues, go see Jeanie or Bev. Members should not be yelling at members, they will take of it. They will also give directions during warm up and speak with parents on issues. Thank you!!
Don't be overwhelmed by this, we have all been in the "Vortex of Death" and Chaos before. Most of this is just plain common sense and the rest will be learned in time.
Order Of Go
Order will be posted in the am on Gymkhana day. Find the people you will be following and be ready for your turn. The better this is done, the better the day goes.
Leadliners
2020 Committee for AGM:
Horses that kick
Bleachers
Children
Dogs
Parking
Horse Trailer Parking
Horses outside arena
Volunteers
There will be a sign up list at time of call-in registration. If you can volunteer please get your name on the list at that time.
If we don't have enough volunteers for the day, Dawn will draw names and there will be a 'V' beside your name on the Order of Go the morning of the gymkhana.
The number of volunteers required for the day are:
This year we will be enacting a Volunteer work requirement in order to qualify for year end awards.
Also, volunteers are needed for the Pritchard Rodeo as our arena usage. This will count towards year end qualification. Please see Bev Hall for details.
Sponsorships
To sponsor the Gymkhana Club with either Buckle Sponsorship or Cash/Products, contact Jeanie:
Paid by:
At this time we have decided to forgo the arena monitor we put in place at the end of 2019 in favour of returning to the age old idea of learning arena etiquette during warm up. This can be revisited at any time. Upon doing a little research on the subject to ensure consistency, and to get my ideas in a row, and perhaps to remember some of the ones I have forgotten over the years, I came across the reference to the warm up arena being called "The Vortex of Death". I would say that is an apt name for it, for sure, as well as the statement "the warm up arena can be Chaos." Too true. Crazy horses ridden by crazier women are forced together while working out quirks and kinks. It can be intimidating and dangerous, but it doesn't have to be. With that all in mind...I very much enjoy seeing new people, young and old, get into the sport of gymkhana and barrel racing, but with that being said not everyone knows the etiquette that goes along with it. So this is for everyone who needs to learn, or be reminded. Please share with your kids as well.
It is up to all members to know these:
- The warm up arena is for warm up. It is not for casual walk arounds in groups or standing around. Warm up is to ensure that your horse is listening, feeling good, and sufficiently warmed up to prevent injury. While there can be instruction being given, and horses being worked on, it is not a place to gather and socialize, blocking others or lanes. Warm up like you would at home. Routine builds confidence.
- Ensure your tack, girth, stirrups, gear is checked before entering the arena. Mount before entering.
- If issues in the arena, or your horse becomes unruly, go to center to dismount. If you see someone with an unruly horse, having issues, give them lots of extra room.
- Heads Up!! Be aware of surroundings and where others are around you. Look where you are going, not at the horses neck, or your hands. Head up, eyes and ears open.
- Begin riding in same direction as others
- Walkers should be on the inside track. Faster gaits on the outside.
- Passing another horse is done on the inside with lots of room. Take a circle or ride across arena to avoid passing to close to another.
- Standard international rule for passing in opposite directions is left shoulder to left shoulder.
- Eye contact when passing.
- Ensure your not riding into another riders circle or cutting someone off.
- Don't zig zag through horses.
Warm Up arena can be "Chaos" - Be courteous. Accidents will happen, its inevitable, but when they do, basic manners are a must. "I'm sorry" and "excuse me" are important.
- Give plenty of room to others. Horses do have a mind of their own and some will push pecking order even in the arena. Ensure at minimum of a horse length away from others. Don't ride right up behind someone even if there isn't a lot of space.
- Go with the flow. If everything isn't exactly as the rules go, as they will sometimes be, go with it.
- Look behind you before you turn, stop or slow down.
- No ear buds or cell phones. Part of being alert around others is to be able to hear what is going on around you.
- Stay Outside or Inside. When passing someone else, use caution, give them a warning by saying "outside" or "inside", depending on which side you will be passing them. A nice gesture to assist in case their horse is spooky or they are nervous.
- Don't hog areas of the arena when space is limited.
- Etiquette rules apply to everyone, but watch out for kids, they may not all understand. Keep your head up, its up to you to avoid them. That being said, kids should not be out there unsupervised. Don't unleash them in the "Vortex of Death" and say Adios. Its not a babysitter service. Watch them, teach them. Just because they are young it does not mean they are exempt. Additionally, no one wants to see them hurt.
- Right of Way. Any rider doing lateral work have the right of way. If there is a rider in a circle, they should be in the corners of the arena, or they give way to others using the outside track. If a collision appears imminent, give way, no matter the position.
- All riders should avoid using a loud voice and be careful with your whip, clicking, etc, so other horses do not become agitated.
- Smile and say "Hi". We are all there to enjoy our day and our horses. You don't have to make instant best friends but it does go a long ways towards less intimidating for you and others.
- Don't be afraid to ask politely of others to change directions.
- Apologize if you screw up. Things can get intense in a Vortex.
- In close quarters, people may or may not have control of their horse. Hot horses and people get annoyed, horses spook, mistakes happen.
Ask yourself: what I am about to do, will it piss off someone? If so, don't.
Ask yourself: is that person having issues? will it help them to move away, or stop? then do. - Don't be in a rush. Arrive with time to tack up and warm up. A rush only puts you and your horse in a bad frame of mind and you haven't given yourselves a good opportunity for warm up or improvement.
- Do not tie Ornery horses to the fence. They are accidents waiting to happen and these could be prevented.
- Be kind to the help. They all try to keep things running smoothly for your day with your horse.
- Have fun. Be courteous, be safe, and Don't show off.
- Remember, its always a good day to ride. You will never know everything there is to know about horses, but you can always learn something.
ANY issues, go see Jeanie or Bev. Members should not be yelling at members, they will take of it. They will also give directions during warm up and speak with parents on issues. Thank you!!
Don't be overwhelmed by this, we have all been in the "Vortex of Death" and Chaos before. Most of this is just plain common sense and the rest will be learned in time.
Order Of Go
Order will be posted in the am on Gymkhana day. Find the people you will be following and be ready for your turn. The better this is done, the better the day goes.
Leadliners
- All who start in Leadline will remain there for the year even if their riding advances. All Leadliners must have a Handler with them at ALL times, no exceptions.
- There will be a pattern change for Leadliners. They will run a shorter pattern than the standard. I am sure there will be some parents who will be happy to hear. LOL!
2020 Committee for AGM:
- Bev Hall - President
- Jeanie VanDenHam - Vice President
- Dawn Androsoff - Secretary
- Cheryl Kubillus
- Nicole Marino Kelly and Ben Mezzatesta
- Katelyn Kubillus
- Amanda Masters
- Graham Masters - webmaster
- Sierra Hall
- Kristi and Anna
- Melissa and Casey
- Deana Nicholson
- You must be in control of your horse at all times!!
- There will be marked lanes and crossing into the other lane during, or at the end of your run, will result in a No Time/Disqualification/asked to leave the arena.
- If you are out of control, your are going to fast - slow down! While events are timed they are also meant to be safe and fun. You will also remain in your lane until the other persons run is finished.
- There is an option to run on your own in the arena if you, or your horse, are unsure, nervous, etc, so please inform the person at the gate of this.
- Only one horse and rider to be in a lane at a time.
Horses that kick
- Need to wear a flag in their mane and tail. You should have some on hand, however, if you do not have flagging tape please ask us.
Bleachers
- No horses are to be near the bleachers. Either the main covered bleachers or the ones at the Hall end (east end) of the arena.
- No running on the main bleachers as the noise can scare the horses.
Children
- Please look after your children. Children are not to be running through horses, throwing anything towards horses/riders in or out of the arena, etc. There is a play ground next to the arena that is fenced, at the hall end of arena.
- Ask someone to watch your kids while you ride, ensure they are not in the way. Safety first.
Dogs
- Dogs should be on a leash and we suggest they are contained at your trailer / truck, or left at home.
Parking
- Any vehicle without a horse trailer attached to it are to park in the Hall parking lot at east end of the arena. Only exception to this is organizers.
Horse Trailer Parking
- If the arena end is full (west end) then there is parking just off the dirt road, below the arena, in the trees (north east side, below playground).
- There is to be no riding in the Hall parking lot as they do not want horse poop there, and people have not been cleaning up after themselves.
- If your horse digs a huge hole, please attempt to repair it.
Horses outside arena
- Please keep horses at a walk outside the arena. We understand cooling your horse out or warming up, however, it has been getting out of control with horses running up to - and sometimes into - other horses, vehicles, etc. There is a designated space for warm up generally in parking area.
- No Leadliners or Pee Wees are to be above a walk.
Volunteers
There will be a sign up list at time of call-in registration. If you can volunteer please get your name on the list at that time.
If we don't have enough volunteers for the day, Dawn will draw names and there will be a 'V' beside your name on the Order of Go the morning of the gymkhana.
The number of volunteers required for the day are:
- 4 for concession
- 6-8 for equipment set up and Gates
- No small children are to run the gates.
This year we will be enacting a Volunteer work requirement in order to qualify for year end awards.
Also, volunteers are needed for the Pritchard Rodeo as our arena usage. This will count towards year end qualification. Please see Bev Hall for details.
Sponsorships
To sponsor the Gymkhana Club with either Buckle Sponsorship or Cash/Products, contact Jeanie:
- Call/text: 1-250-371-2207
- Email: jvandenh88@gmail.com
- FaceBook Messenger: Jeanie Vandenham
- Business name
- How much you would like to sponsor
- Indicate if you would like to sponsor something specific
Paid by:
- etransfer to jvandenh88@gmail.com, or
- Cash at gymkhana
- Cheques are accepted but can take up to 2 months to cash.
Gymkhana Day Registration
As of the Tuesday prior to gymkhana day until 8:00 pm Friday evening (before the gymkhana on Saturday) to call in your registration.
You can find more details on the Memberships page.
As of the Tuesday prior to gymkhana day until 8:00 pm Friday evening (before the gymkhana on Saturday) to call in your registration.
- You can pay via etransfer or with cash at the gymkhana.
- Call in's can be done via email, text or phone call.
- If later than 8 pm the night before, there will be a $5 late fee per person.
You can find more details on the Memberships page.
Year End Awards
- Year end qualifying and averages are by the horse, not the rider. Therefore, the horse must have the 6 clear times in all 3 events to qualify for year end awards.
- If a horse gets more than 6 times in any of the 3 events, the 6 fastest times will be used for the year end average calculation.
- Maximum of 2 horses per rider can be qualified for year end awards. More horses can be ridden through the year, however, the fastest 2 horses averages will be used for year end awards qualification.
- Year End Banquet: all riders who qualify for year end awards must be at the banquet to collect prizes or they forfeit their placing and awards. Prior arrangements with the awards coordinator may be considered if issues arise and if arranged in advance.
Definitions
Double Run Days
Double Run Days
- On Double Run days, members have an option to do a 2nd run at that gymkhana for an additional cost of $3 per horse per single class, OR $10 per horse per 3 qualifying classes.
- This run will count towards year end times but not day placings.
- Flat rate fee of $20 per horse for members for the DR and $25 per day per horse including fun classes when/if applicable.
- $5 per horse for one run in a randomly chosen game at the end of the day, ending in a cash payout to the winner.
- Jackpot payout is dependent on the number of participants in the Jackpot.
- The Jackpot is not run in age classes but in one single race.
Classes and Divisions
Ages as of Jan 1st
Division Notes
Ages as of Jan 1st
- Leadline: anyone who needs to be led to control their horse (once in will stay in for the year, even if they improve to riding on their own).
- Pee Wees: 11 and under
- Juniors: 12 to 17
- Adults: 18 and up
Division Notes
- The number of divisions in each age group are dependent on number of participants in each age group. The larger the number of people in the age class the more divisions there will be.
- If there are not enough participants to warrant extra divisions they will be taken away at the discretion of the gymkhana operator.
- For year end awards this is at the discretion of the awards coordinator. We attempt to have a minimum of Adults as 4D, Juniors 2D, PeeWees 2D, and Leadliners.
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