Gymkhana a History of a Popular Equestrian Sport

Gymkhana is the action packed, precision sport of the equestrian world that is one of the most exciting family oriented equestrian sports in the world. Gymkhana classes are timed speed events such as Barrel racing, Keyhole, Figure 8, keg race (also known as "down and back"), flag race and Pole bending.

Gymkhana has many interesting meanings.

To start, the word is derived from the Hindi and Urdu word for "racket" court. Gymkhana is also an Indian term which originally referred to a place where sporting events took place. This meaning then altered to denote a place where skill-based contests were held, such as in the sports of equestrian, gymnastics, and sports car racing. In India, the term gymkhana is commonly used to refer to a gymnasium.
In the United Kingdom, the term gymkhana now almost always refers to a multi-game equestrian event performed to display the training and talents of horses and their riders. Often the emphasis is on children's participation.

Gymkhana for the equestrian had its beginning with the English military. During the Colonial period, the English military used horses for both transportation and military maneuvers. On Sunday afternoons, the Calvary would compete in horseback games to sharpen their horsemanship for war. Through the years different events have been added, some of which originated in Europe and others which were developed in this country. Ring Spearing, an event that is still part of Gymkhana in some areas, resembles the knight in medieval days riding full charge with his lance aimed at his enemy. The British Bengal Lancer engaged in Tent-Pegging, using his lance to unearth the tent pegs of the enemy, bringing down the tent on his adversaries. Pole Bending can easily be seen as good training for a Calvary charge through dense forest. The Rescue Race and Cowhide Race were originated by the Native American Indians as a way to rescue their comrades in battle. Similarly, the Speedball Race may have derived from the Native American Indians counting "coup" in which they would touch their enemies without harming them. The Pony Express Race, of course, simulates the old time Pony Express rider who delivered the mail between St. Louis and Sacramento in the Old West.


Below is a list of just some of the events you might find in a modern day Gymkhana.

Bending Poles are one of the most common races today. A line of about four or five poles is set up, and the horse and riders have to weave in and out of them as fast as they can, turn round the last one, and bend back to the finish line. This can be played in teams as a relay race and the first team all home wins. If they miss bending round a pole they have to go back and do it again, the only penalty they incur is wasting time. This teaches the pupil to control his mount, as well as turning.

The Egg and Spoon race is another favorite. The participants each get an egg on a spoon and have to go from the start to the other end (usually around the last bending pole), and back as fast as they can without dropping the egg. It is often played with potatoes instead as they don't break when landing on the floor, but beware of horses that eat anything. This is a wonderful event for teaching beginners to sit quietly on horseback and though the pony may be moving their seat moves fluidly with that of the horse. It is also an ideal exercise for riders with a 'hot seat' as they learn to sit still.

A favorite among pony clubbers is the Pairs race. One rider starts on the pony, goes as fast as they can to the other side, where a partner waits. They then help the partner mount and get back to the finish line as fast as possible. A variation of this is to have one start the race, dismount at the other end, and the partner has to mount and race back with no help from the dismounted rider. This is often a difficult thing to do on an excited pony, and can be especially fun when the game is played bareback. They will learn how to mount and dismount as well as how to work as a team.

The Sack Race is played the following way: they all line up at the start, and gallop to the opposite side where sacks are waiting for them. They dismount, jump into the sacks and hop back to the finish line. The first one home wins, and surprisingly this race is often the longest as ponies play up because the person leading them is jumping up and down and unsettling them.

                                                                    Gymkhana pattern

In recent years Gymkhana has been steadily gaining in popularity. New events have been designed for competition between riders which bring into play the abilities of the rider and the speed and handiness of the horse. A good Gymkhana horse must have the speed of a race horse, the turning quickness and agility of a cutting horse and the control and responsiveness of the stock horse. In general, control of the horse and of oneself in the saddle is an added benefit of learning to play these games.

In Gymkhana your horse and you need to have constant control and communication. Quality leather horse tack will enhance this communication between you and horse.

Buckaroo Leather is proud to manufacturer this quality American Made leather horse tack! Our quality leather is not only durable but timeless!

Visit our website for quality leather Training and Performance Tack, Professional Grade Tack, and breast collars and headstalls.







Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving the 
Western Horseman the safest most durable 
Quality American made leather horse tack....... Buckaroo John Brand Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand 
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

A Cowgirls Sport, the Barrel Race a Rodeo Event.

A Cowgirls Sport, the Barrel Race a Rodeo Event.

A popular cowgirl sport is the barrel race. This rodeo event is where the horse and rider attempt to complete a clover leaf pattern around set barrels in the fastest time. the barrel race combines the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a horse through the pattern.

Though both cowboys and cowgirls compete at the youth level, and men compete in some amateur venues, in collegiate and professional ranks, it is primarily a rodeo event for cowgirls.

In the 1900's when the women began to compete in the rodeo's they excelled at horse racing, trick riding and relay. Their weight was an advantage and, due to their gentler nature, the females seemed to have a closer kinship with the horses.

Gail Hughbanks Woerner wrote an in depth history of barrel racing. Her history begins with Faye Blackstone, a trick rider in the 1930's. Read the story below.......

"Faye Blackstone began her trick riding career in the 1930s, but when specialty acts began being replaced Faye turned her great horsemanship talents to barrel racing. She and a few other cowgirls began the barrel racing event in Florida in 1950.


Dixie Reger Mosley began her rodeo career at age 51/2 years old, trick riding on a Shetland pony. Growing up in a rodeo family gave her many varied opportunities, including some rodeo clowning. When the Girl's Rodeo Association (GRA) began in 1948, which turned in to the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in 1981, Dixie was the bullfighter, rodeo clown, and competed in most events, except bull riding. She saw barrel racing evolve through the GRA organization to become an event for women that today offers purses that compete with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association (PRCA) event purses".

To read more of this Barrel Race history and cowgirls in rodeo click here......

Barrel racing is a sport that demands skills and a strong bond between horse and rider to successfully compete as a team. Strong horsemanship and communication comes with team work and horse and rider trusting each other. To further the communication between horse and rider you need the right barrel race horse tack.

Buckaroo Leather manufactures quality leather horse tack for all skill levels, pleasure riding, training, and rodeo competitions.

For Barrel Racing this headstall and barrel reins are just what a cowgirl needs for effective communication......

Gag/Snaffle Old Visalia Headstall

Old west Visalia look Leather Headstall is made with Genuine Hermann Oak Golden Bridle, oiled to a medium Honey color as pictured or Black, then rubbed from the finest heavy weight stitched leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. Made special with short cheeks to fit GAG bits properly! It is hand carved in the old Visalia designs, Wild Weeds or Old Basket stamp. This Headstall is a Double ear style. Pictured in 1" width for the wide old tyme Visalia look but can be ordered in 3/4". Has easy change 5/8" Buckles at the bit ends and has all engraved Stainless Steel buckles. Available in Regular horse, Large horse/mule and Draft.

Laced Barrel Gaming Rein LR2863

Harness Leather western Reins made in AMERICA! Made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The Reins are 3/4" -8" adjustable. There are Nickel Plate scissor snaps and Rawhide loops on these Quality Leather Barrel/Trail Reins. They have soft Chap lacing across the hand hold for a graduated grip and feel. Great for performance events and trail riders.

To read more about barrel racing horse tack click here.......


Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable
Quality American made leather horse tack.......Buckaroo John Brand
Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Swarovski Conchos and Sheekaroo Horse Tack

In the early beginnings of rodeos, including barrel racing for women, what the appropriate attire society expected the early cowgirls to wear often hampered their riding skills and caused accidents.

While men dressed in appropriate pants and wore high-heeled boots that helped keep their feet in the stirrups, the women wore long skirts which were constantly in the way. What women lacked in comfort, though, they made up for in color.

Cowgirls livened their attire with bright bandannas, silk scarves around their waists and the more daring put a fancy feather in their hats.

Today’s Cowgirls have amazing competitive skills and horsemanship for competing in Barrel Racing, but like their counterparts before them-they like their color and Bling!

Buckaroo Leather offers beautiful Swarovski Conchos and Sheekaroo Tack!

The Swarovski Crystal Conchos and Buckle sets are the perfect choice to add some sparkling Bling to your leather horse tack. For all you Cowgirls who want to turn heads both with your riding skills and sparkling flare!

The Swarovski Crystal Conchos and Buckles are Hand Made Original designs by Rodeo Drive Conchos. They only use Swarovski Austrian Crystals and they are the official Crystal Conchos distributor for the NBHA. RODEO DRIVE crystal conchos and buckles are backed by an unparalleled LIFETIME GUARANTEE.

Swarovski Austrian Crystal Concha

(pictured above)

This gorgeous concha features genuine Swarovski crystals on a beautiful hand engraved Antique Silver concha. Color- Teal/Clear. Each piece is hand ma

de and carries a lifetime guarantee; available in 1 1/2". Screw or loop back.

Swarovski Austrian Crystal Buckle

(pictured to the right)

This gorgeous buckle set features genuine Swarovski Austrian crystals on a beautiful hand engraved 5/8" antique silver buckle set. Color- Clear.

 Set w/Clear Swarovski Crystals

Beautiful Hand tooled Oak

 pattern 5/8" browband headstall, double & stitched featuring a scalloped browband and cheek pieces. This headstall is finished with 1 1/2" genuine Swarovski crystal antique conchas at the brow, 5/8" Buckles & 1" conchas with chicago screw attachment for easy change at the bit end. Matching Oak Leaf & Basket stamp Breast Collar features 4-1 1/2" Swarovski clear crystals antique conchas. Other crystal concha colors available in the Concha & Buckle Set category. Just contact us.

Buckaroo Leather’s Sheekaroo Tack is a great way to add you own style and flare! Whether you are pleasure riding or competing in the ring-this tack will be sure to turn some heads-and not just your horses!

Animal Print Headstall & Spur Straps-

Beautiful Sheekaroo Designs your horse will love. Zebra or Leopard print hair-on cowhide makes a statement. Accented with antiqued Copper conchas and buckles making it easy change at the bit ends. The set includes 1 pair of matching spur straps and regular horse size headstall. Matching Breast Collar available- PLEASE contact us. This Set Available with medium brown oiled bridle leather as pictured or black latigo with Animal print overlay.

Buckaroo Leather also has a great selection of quality leather Barrel Racing horse tack-

Barrel Racing Rein-

Hermann Oak harness leather 5/8" barrel rein w/natural hand braided rawhide buttons for gripping. Adjustable with scissor snap attachments at the bit end.

Laced Barrel/Gaming Rein

Harness Leather western Reins made in AMERICA! Made from premium Hermann Oak Harness leather for a smooth, rich, "broke in" feel. The Reins are 3/4" -8" adjustable. There are Nickel Plate scissor snaps and Rawhide loops on these Quality Leather Barrel/Trail Reins. They have soft Chap lacing across the hand hold for a graguated grip and feel.

German Martingale

This Martingale is Excellent for all Martingale Training! Every Strap is adjustable! This German Martingale is made from quality Hermann Oak Harness Leather. This Martingale has a one piece adjustable 3/4" Leather Roping Style Rein. Finished with double Nickel Plate Buckles and Rawhide Keepers. The rein portion is available as shown, with a flat center hand hold, or can be ordered with a rolled center hand hold.

To Learn more about the history of Barrel Racing click on the link below

Barrel Racing Blog

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......

Buckaroo John Brand

Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Barrel Racing History

Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a clover-leaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. (Typically three fifty-five gallon metal or plastic drums) It combines the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a horse through the pattern.

Though both boys and girls compete at the youth level and men compete in some amateur venues, in collegiate and professional ranks, it is primarily a rodeo event for women. In the 1900’s when the women began to compete in the rodeo’s they excelled at horse racing, trick riding and relay. Their weight was an advantage and, due to their gentler nature, the females seemed to have a closer kinship with the horses.

The History
(By Gail Hughbanks Woerner)

Faye Blackstone (pictured here) began her trick riding career in the 1930s, but when specialty acts began being replaced Faye turned her great horsemanship talents to barrel racing. She and a few other cowgirls began the barrel racing event in Florida in 1950. Dixie Reger Mosley(the last picture on the page) began her rodeo career at age 5 ½ years old, trick riding on a Shetland pony. Growing up in a rodeo family gave her many varied opportunities, including some rodeo clowning. When the Girl’s Rodeo Association (GRA) began in 1948, which turned in to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in 1981, Dixie was the bullfighter, rodeo clown, and competed in most events, except bull riding. She saw barrel racing evolve through the GRA organization to become an event for women that today offers purses that compete with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA) event purses.

Barrel racing was first seen in Texas , according to Faye Blackstone, and spread from there. Although women had been competing in rodeo, in various ways, since the 1880s, when Buffalo Bill Cody, hired Annie Oakley (pictured below), the best known woman gun handler of the day. Cody discovered that fans would flock to his wild west shows to see her perform. But the decision to include women bronc riders, relay race riders, and so on, was always at the discretion of the men producing the event.

The 1931 Stamford, Texas, Cowboy Reunion, a weekend rodeo, decided to add girls, sixteen years and older, that were sponsored by area businesses and represented the community from which they came. The girls would lead the parade, participate in various minor rodeo activities and be available to visit and dance with the cowboys at the social events held each evening. The following year the young ladies were given prizes for (1) the best mount, (2) most attractive riding outfit, and (3) best horsemanship. The horsemanship was demonstrated by riding in a figure eight around barrels. In 1935 the Stamford event changed the barrel racing to a cloverleaf pattern, but it was not judged strictly by the shortest time until 1949.

The Cowboys Amateur Association (CAA) organized in 1940, and held rodeos where the contestant could compete on the amateur level until they had won $500. They could then join the ‘professional’ rodeo organization, should they choose to do so. The CAA held competitions for women, as well as men, which included barrel racing, cutting horse contests, bronc riding and a roping event. They also offered money as prizes instead of feminine gifts, such as make-up cases and hair products, which were the general prizes offered previously.

There was a flurry of “all girl rodeos” during World War II. They were highly successful, but when the war was over and the men came home things went back to the way they had been before the war, that meant few rodeo competitions for women.

Mildred Farris, barrel racing pioneer, whose competitive years spanned the 1950s until 1971, and was a Girl’s Rodeo Association director, vice-president and president from 1965 to 1971, remembers the days when she and others in her era were trying to get barrel racing included at rodeos across the country. “I worked for the rodeo producer, Tommy Steiner, as a rodeo secretary and he always had barrel races at his rodeos. I think that the barrel racing event, in the beginning, often took the place of contract acts, that had been such an important part of rodeos in earlier days. The girls in the barrel racing event, in our day, always wore more colorful, flashy clothes, much like the contract performers. Steiner was the first producer to use the electric eye in timing the barrel racing event. It must have been in the 1960s,” Farris recalled. She also said that in those days the prizes for barrel racing were not comparable to the men’s events. If the men’s bronc riding or roping paid $400 to win, the barrel racing paid around $100 to the winner. She is quite proud to say that in today’s rodeo the WPRA-sanctioned barrel racing events pay comparable monies to the PRCA-sanctioned events, such as bronc riding, roping competitions, etc.

Farris reminisced about her first barrel racing horse. She bought a ‘spoiled’ roping horse. He was ‘high-headed’ and it was impossible to use a tie down on him. But when he started running he would put his head down and he handled well. “The first barrel race I entered with him was an amateur rodeo and I had only run him a few times. At the last minute they decided to change the pattern and run to the first barrel, then to the third barrel, (the farthest away), and back to the second barrel. In spite of the fact he’d not run this pattern before we finished second. That night I practiced this new pattern with him and the second performance we finished first.” Farris was one of the top fifteen barrel racers in the United States for twelve years, 1958 through 1970, only missing 1965. She was also voted Rodeo Secretary of the Year by PRCA nine times, with the most recent honor given to her in 2006. She was inducted, with husband, John, in to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2006.


Buckaroo Leather has quality leather Barrel Racing horse tack, including Sheekaroo Tack and beautiful Swarovski "Bling" Conchos! Look for our upcoming blog featuring these items!

Our family has been dedicated for 30 years in serving
the Western Horseman the safest most durable Quality
American made leather horse tack.......

Buckaroo John Brand

Buckaroo Leather, The Brand to Demand
Visit Our Unique Store Today
Buckaroo Leather Shopping Site

Western Leather Breastcollars, What They Are, Why and How to Choose and Use.....

Western Breast Collars have a very simple but useful purpose....

To keep your saddle from sliding back and in the best fitting position on your horses back. Keep in mind it also depends

on how well your saddle fits your horse, the better your saddle fits

the less it will move around.

Your decision on which type of Breast Collar to use will be based upon the type of riding you do and personal preference.

The wider the Breast Collar the more the pressure

is spread out across the chest.

Styles of Breast Collars used for different types of riding:

-Narrow-1"style- Flat trail, Show ring, Light performance,

Endurance were lightweight is a factor...

-Mid size-1 1/2"-2"-Mountain trail, Barrel racing, Gymkhana,

Cutting, any med. to high performance events...

-Widest- 2-3"- Packing, Roping, Ranch branding work, High performance

were you will need to dally on your horn.

You have many styles available to match your

saddle or personal preference with beautiful hand tooling, stamping, and conchas or rawhide braiding.

Lets talk about fit. Most of the Breast Collars on the market today fit around on the shoulders and connect to the cincha ring. Riders are discovering

that is a little restrictive and rubs across the shoulder.

Many saddles now come with a dee rind mounted up higher on the front, for a better Breast collar position up over the shoulder at the base of the neck. Like an old harness collar for pulling a wagon...

An analogy would be the fit of your back pack....

if the shoulder straps fall down onto your upper arm it is very uncomfortable....

This theory over the shoulder at the base the neck is becoming very popular! Different styles are being made To fit this way--
 

Many now have an over the neck strap which connects at the upper rings on the Breast collar and goes up over the neck between the saddle and the mane holding the Breast Collar up for proper fit. This strap can be purchased separately......

Some are called Buckaroo style, Nevada style, Old Martingale style, and pulling style....

The pulling style as pictured on right is designed to fit any saddle as it wraps up through and around the pommel with one strap on each side of the horn fitting any saddle... even without upper front Dee rings on your saddle.

This style breast collar is ideal for all medium to ultra high performance events. 

Quality Finished Leather Breast Collars are extremely important

due to the pressure on the front of your horse. When manufactured

the edges of the Breast Collar must be finished off and rubbed down so there are no sharp edges to prevent chaffing. 

Always check your Quality Leather Horse Tack for safety reasons

and make sure there is not any build up of hair, sweat or dirt on

the underside against your horses hair as this can chaff and create problems.

The Brand family at Buckaroo Leather has manufactured the highest Quality safe and durable Horse Tack for 27 years and wants to THANK YOU for taking your time to stop by and be more informed.

We look forward to learning and answering your questions and comments.

BuckarooJohn

Buckaroo Leather

The Brand to Demand