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

Game Setup:

This is a pairs race. Rider 3 starts the race behind Line C. Riders 1, 2, & 4 start the race behind Line A. Place the hula-hoop on Line B.

Game Play: :

This race is ridden in pairs with the third rider of each team behind the changeover line. A hula hoop at least 28” in diameter for each team will be placed on the centerline.

Riders one and two at the start line will ride to the hoop, rider number one dismounts and goes through the hoop while rider number two holds his pony. Rider number one remounts and the pair rides on to the changeover line where rider number one drops out, rider number two picks up rider number three.

Rider number two goes through the hoop while rider number three holds the pony. The pair rides over line A where rider number two drops out.

Rider number three picks up rider number four. Rider number three goes through the hoop while rider number four holds the pony. They ride over the changeover line where rider number three drops out, rider number four picks up rider number one, they ride to the hoop, rider number four goes through the hoop while rider number one holds the pony, the pair ride to the finish line.

The winning team will be that whose first and fourth riders first cross the finish line mounted. At each changeover, the next pony to go must remain behind the line until both previous ponies have crossed it. The rider who is to hold the pony at the hoop by grasping the rein before, or as they ride down the arena. His partner may not touch the hoop until he has handed over his pony.

Advanced Division Rules:

Riders number one and two are behind line A. Riders one and two ride to the hoop, where rider number one dismounts and goes through the hoop while rider number two holds rider number one’s pony. Rider number one remounts, and the pair rides to and crosses the changeover line. Both riders again ride to the hoop, where rider number two goes through the hoop while rider number one holds rider number two’s pony. Rider number two remounts and both ride to and across the finish line.

Special Rules

• At each changeover, the next pony to go must remain behind the changeover line until both previous ponies have crossed over it.

• The rider who is to hold the pony at the hoop may grasp the reins at the hoop or he may grasp the reins as both riders are riding to the hoop.

• The rider to go through the hoop must NOT let go of the reins until the other rider has taken hold of the reins. No pony may be left free without one of the riders holding his reins.  The team will be eliminated if this happens.

Correction rules:

• If a rider starts out across the line before all the incoming riders have crossed the line, he must come back across the line and start out again.

Special Tips:

• 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.

• Team members should pair up the ponies according to how well they get along with each other. Try many combinations of riders and ponies until the right one is found. If a team has one “fraidy cat” pony, they should leave him out of the race.

• If a rider has trouble vaulting or remounting a pony, make sure the holder holds the pony until the rider is ready.

• Team members should make sure that the vaulting side of the pony is free.  Don't hold the pony on the same side as the team member needs to vault.

• If a team must use two ponies that do not get along, have both riders ride close to the hula-hoop. Then have both riders halt. The mounted rider should hold the pony and wait until the unmounted rider has gone through the hula-hoop. This way the ponies do not have to spend much time together. Also the unmounted rider is there to help if there are problems.

• See tips from Rope Race about picking up the next outgoing rider.