Gymkhana (/ˈdʒɪmˈkɑːnə/) is an equestrian event consisting of speed pattern racing and timed games for riders on horses.[1] These events often emphasize children's participation and may be organized by a recognized Pony Club or a 4-H club. In parts of the western United States, this type of competition is usually called an "O-Mok-See" (also spelled "omoksee" or without hyphenation as "o mok see") competition, a term derived from a Native American phrase said to mean "games on horseback".[citation needed] Very small events with little or no prize money, designed for beginners or riders at a local level, are sometimes called playdays. "Gymkhana" is the word used in most of the rest of the English-speaking world, including the United Kingdom and both the East Coast and the West Coast of the United States.
Gymkhana and o-mok-see classes are a collection of timed speed events such as; barrel racing, pole bending, keyhole race, keg race (also known as "down and back"), flag racing, a hybrid pattern like mountain cow horse, and stake race. Some organizations include ride and run, musical mats, egg stomp, $1 bill race or "ride a buck", and sack race. Sometimes a goat tying event is included, where the rider will ride up to a goat tied to a stake, jump off, and hog tie the goat.
Most of these events are designed to display precise, controlled actions and tight teamwork between horse and rider at speed, and demonstrate many skills such as flying lead changes, sliding stops and more. Most clubs offer a variety of classes for all ages and abilities of people, allowing riders to compete at the speed level at which they are most capable and comfortable.
O-Mok-Seeedit
O-Mok-See or omoksee is a term sometimes used in the Western United States for events in the sport of pattern horse racing. Most events are run with contestants simultaneously running in 4 separate lanes (3 for small arenas), with each contestant riding in a 30 foot wide lane. Other pattern races more commonly held are pole bending & barrel racing.
The origin of the term "O-Mok-See" is thought to specifically originate with the Blackfeet people where they described a particular style of riding as "oh-mak-see pass-kan" meaning "riding big dance".[citation needed] This event was thought to be a war ceremony; before setting out on a mounted expedition against the enemy, the warriors of the camp performed this dance as a part of the prelude of stirring up courage and enthusiasm for battle.[citation needed] The warriors put on their finest dress attire, decorated and painted their best horses, carrying their war bundles, shields, lances and bonnets. They mounted and gathered at some distance out of sight of the camp. They turned and rode together at full speed into the great camp circle, circled around it once and then rode to the center of the camp. In the center were a number of old men and women who sang special songs and beat drums for the horsemen. The horsemen then rode their trained horses to the rhythm of the singers and drummers. From time to time the riders dismounted and danced about on foot beside their horses, shooting in the air and shouting to one another to be brave when the battle came. If anyone fell from his horse during the ceremony it was considered an omen of bad luck.
National Saddle Clubs Associationedit
The National Saddle Clubs Association (NSCA) was established in January 1965 as the first national organization of saddle clubs. The NSCA held its first national championship show in 1966. The NSCA has adopted and promotes the sport of "pattern horse racing" under the term O-Mok-See. They encourage and allow families to compete together. The NSCA has adopted a set of pattern horse racing events for national competition . some of the events that they run are pole bending, California stake race, polo, key, international flags, Idaho figure-eight and two barrel Flags. There are also 10 or so more events in their rule book. Through standardized rules and regulations for pattern horse racing events, the NSCA's prime purpose and objectives are to promote and cultivate cooperation and friendly relationships between saddle clubs throughout the United States.
See alsoedit
Gymkhana -- for information on sporting clubs in India, from which the term originally derived
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This article is about the equestrian sport For other uses see Gymkhana disambiguation Gymkhana ˈ dʒ ɪ m ˈ k ɑː n e is an equestrian event consisting of speed pattern racing and timed games for riders on horses 1 These events often emphasize children s participation and may be organized by a recognized Pony Club or a 4 H club In parts of the western United States this type of competition is usually called an O Mok See also spelled omoksee or without hyphenation as o mok see competition a term derived from a Native American phrase said to mean games on horseback citation needed Very small events with little or no prize money designed for beginners or riders at a local level are sometimes called playdays Gymkhana is the word used in most of the rest of the English speaking world including the United Kingdom and both the East Coast and the West Coast of the United States Gymkhana at Raskelf show geograph org uk Contents 1 Types of events 2 O Mok See 2 1 National Saddle Clubs Association 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksTypes of events editGymkhana and o mok see classes are a collection of timed speed events such as barrel racing pole bending keyhole race keg race also known as down and back flag racing a hybrid pattern like mountain cow horse and stake race Some organizations include ride and run musical mats egg stomp 1 bill race or ride a buck and sack race Sometimes a goat tying event is included where the rider will ride up to a goat tied to a stake jump off and hog tie the goat Most of these events are designed to display precise controlled actions and tight teamwork between horse and rider at speed and demonstrate many skills such as flying lead changes sliding stops and more Most clubs offer a variety of classes for all ages and abilities of people allowing riders to compete at the speed level at which they are most capable and comfortable O Mok See editO Mok See or omoksee is a term sometimes used in the Western United States for events in the sport of pattern horse racing Most events are run with contestants simultaneously running in 4 separate lanes 3 for small arenas with each contestant riding in a 30 foot wide lane Other pattern races more commonly held are pole bending amp barrel racing The origin of the term O Mok See is thought to specifically originate with the Blackfeet people where they described a particular style of riding as oh mak see pass kan meaning riding big dance citation needed This event was thought to be a war ceremony before setting out on a mounted expedition against the enemy the warriors of the camp performed this dance as a part of the prelude of stirring up courage and enthusiasm for battle citation needed The warriors put on their finest dress attire decorated and painted their best horses carrying their war bundles shields lances and bonnets They mounted and gathered at some distance out of sight of the camp They turned and rode together at full speed into the great camp circle circled around it once and then rode to the center of the camp In the center were a number of old men and women who sang special songs and beat drums for the horsemen The horsemen then rode their trained horses to the rhythm of the singers and drummers From time to time the riders dismounted and danced about on foot beside their horses shooting in the air and shouting to one another to be brave when the battle came If anyone fell from his horse during the ceremony it was considered an omen of bad luck National Saddle Clubs Association edit The National Saddle Clubs Association NSCA was established in January 1965 as the first national organization of saddle clubs The NSCA held its first national championship show in 1966 The NSCA has adopted and promotes the sport of pattern horse racing under the term O Mok See They encourage and allow families to compete together The NSCA has adopted a set of pattern horse racing events for national competition some of the events that they run are pole bending California stake race polo key international flags Idaho figure eight and two barrel Flags There are also 10 or so more events in their rule book Through standardized rules and regulations for pattern horse racing events the NSCA s prime purpose and objectives are to promote and cultivate cooperation and friendly relationships between saddle clubs throughout the United States See also editGymkhana for information on sporting clubs in India from which the term originally derived Gymkhana motorsport Horse show Pony Club Rodeo Mounted games Tent peggingReferences edit Alswang J 2003 The South African Dictionary of Sport New Africa Books pp 130 131 ISBN 978 0 86486 535 9 External links editNational Saddle Clubs Association USA Official sanctioning body for O Mok See competition in the United States History retrieved from NSCA website https web archive org web 20110122020208 http www omoksee org nsca nsca html http www calgymkhana com The California Gymkhana Association CGA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gymkhana equestrian amp oldid 1187980275, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
