Horse Riding Games to Play

Planning a fun day, or gymkhana event, for your saddle club or riding students can provide an exciting opportunity for riders to learn new skills. While the games typically played on horseback may seem a bit over-the-top, they help teach riders balance and coordination, as well as how to fine-tune movement control of the horse. Even if you do not take lessons or compete with a riding club, many of these games can be beneficial alone or with a friend.

  1. Egg and Spoon Race

    • This game can be messy, but is a lot of fun. Riders mount their horses and are each given a spoon and an egg. They must balance the egg on the spoon with one hand as they travel across the arena or field. Typically you begin at a walk, then proceed to other gaits. A rider is eliminated when the egg drops, and the last one with an unbroken egg is the winner.

    Pairs Race

    • This race is one of the most popular games at any gymkhana event. Two riders are paired and given one horse to share. One rider and the horse stands at the starting line, and the other rider waits at the opposite end of the arena or field. When the judge or instructor announces the start of the race, the rider with the horse mounts and gallops as fast as he can to the rider waiting on the opposite side. Once he reaches his partner, the rider dismounts and helps the other rider mount. The new rider then gallops back as fast as possible to the finish line.

    Bareback Dollar Game

    • The bareback dollar game is an excellent way to teach riders to balance in their seat. Each rider mounts her horse bareback, and is given two dollar bills. The dollar bills are placed between the horse's side and the rider's thigh or knee. Each rider listens to the instructor or judge, who will call out the gait at random. As the riders lose their dollar bills, they are disqualified. The last rider with a dollar bill still in its place wins all of the money the other riders let fall.

    Obstacle Course

    • Obstacle courses provide a great opportunity for riders to learn to maneuver their horses through difficult situations. Setting up an obstacle course is easy with common items found around the barn. Some ideas to include in your course design are gates that must be opened and closed while mounted, trotting poles and small jumps, a mailbox that the rider must open and close and a flag that must be moved from one flower pot to another. You can as creative as you like, but avoid having obstacles the horse must walk on or over unless they are made for that purpose.