2010 Halloween Gymkhana Week!

Hello all MM.JR.EQ. riders and families! The season is off to a great start, and I wanted to thank everyone for really trying their best right out of the gate! As we move through Fall, my hope is to continue a solid educational curriculum, with a lot of *fun* thrown in between. To start that *fun* off right, I wanted to introduce our next special event: The Halloween Gymkhana.

This year's Halloween Gymkhana will take place during lessons on Monday OCTOBER 25 and Tuesday OCTOBER 26!**

A "gymkhana" refers to an equestrian event made up entirely of games on horseback, and to make this one even more interesting, we are going to add a Halloween twist. Below are the details and guidelines for this event.

**Please note: The Halloween Gymkhana event will take place DURING YOUR RIDER'S REGULARLY SCHEDULED LESSON. While most gymkhana events are held on a separate day - much like an official horse show - we are going to adjust the format to suit our weekly lessons instead. Prizes and treats* will be awarded to all participants. (*All allergies will be considered.)

Rules & Guidelines:
• All riders/parents need to e-mail me their TOP 3 horse choices for the day by FRI OCT 15!
• All riders will find out their horse assignment for the Gymkhana event by TUES OCT 19!

• All riders may* come in costume (but MUST be able to have boots, pants AND helmet on!)

• All riders may* bring "costume" elements for their horse

     > Can only include that which can attach to bridle, saddle, pad or safety rope
     > May not take longer than 10 minutes to "dress" horse up
   
     > May not take longer than 5 minutes to "undress" horse before next lesson
   
     > May not include painting directly on the horses!
     > May not include *heavy* items or elements that make lots of noise!

• All riders WILL be riding with bareback saddles

• Riders may arrive up to 20 minutes early for their lesson to "get dressed" or watch others

• Riders may "team up" with other riders in their class for costumes

• THERE IS NO COST for your rider to participate in this event

• Parents and other guests are welcome to watch and/or participate (unmounted)

(*Costumes are optional)

Games we might play include:
• Sit-A-Buck

• Relay Races

• Red-Light, Green-Light
• Cloverleaf

• …and more!

Click HERE to see some photos from the 2009 Halloween Gymkhana!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!