HOME  

United States Pony Clubs
4041 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8462
Phone:  (859) 254-7669
Fax:  (859) 233-4652

Skills Needed: Vaulting, dunking, & handoffs
Equipment Required:
One 5-gallon water bucket
Five tennis balls
One Hula Hoop

Game Setup:

Place four tennis balls inside the hula-hoop located three yards behind Line C. Often the hula-hoop is not used but a circle is created using spray paint for visibility. Place a bucket on Line B. Riders 2, 3, and 4 must start the race behind the 6-yard line at Line A. Rider 1 will start the race behind Line A. Give the fifth tennis ball to Rider 1.

Game Play:

On the signal to start Rider number one, carrying the ball, will ride to the bucket and drop the ball into it.   The rider then continues to the far end to pick up the ball.  The rider must dismount to pick up a ball and may dismount any time after he has successfully dropped the ball into the bucket, but the rider and all four feet of the pony must cross Line C (either mounted or dismounted) before returning for the handoff regardless of where the ball was picked up.  Riders two, three and four complete the event in the same manner with rider number four dropping the last ball into the bucket on his way back (double dunking).  If the balls are knocked out of the hula hoop, they need not be placed back in.

Rider number one, carrying the ball, will ride to the bucket and drop the ball into it.  He/she then continues to the far end, crossing Line C, dismounts, picks up the ball, remounts, and returns and crosses Line A, handing the ball to rider number two.  Rider number two will drop the last ball into the bucket on his/her way back (double dunking).

• If the rider misses the bucket, the rider may pick up the ball while mounted or unmounted and place it in the bucket.

• If the rider knocks over the bucket, the rider may correct the equipment mounted or unmounted.

• If the balls are knocked out of the hula-hoop or painted circle, the rider does not have to replace the balls before continuing. If one of the balls crosses over Line C, the rider does not have to replace it in the circle. He may pick it up where it has landed as long as he and his mount completely
  cross Line C.

• Remember the holding area line (6-yard line) is six yards from Line A and Line C.  During the playing of the games only the next rider out may be in front of this line.  All others must be behind it in the holding area.  If there are more than one outgoing rider in front of the 6-yard line, the team will be eliminated for that game.

• The riders must remember when dunking the tennis ball that it is especially bouncy and needs to be dunked against the front or back of the bucket. See dunking tips.

• The rider should handoff the ball using the three-finger handoff method.  See handoff tips.

• The corner vault should be used after picking up the ball. See vaulting tips.

Send E-mail to the USPC Games Committee!