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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:

Place six stepping-stones upside down 18” apart on the stepping stone board centered on Line B. Riders 1 & 3 start the race behind Line A and riders 2 & 4 start the race behind Line C. Riders 3 & 4 must start the race behind the 6-yard line.

Game Play:

On the signal to start, rider number one will ride to the stepping stones, dismount, and dash across (on top of) the stones while leading the pony, beginning with the stone closest to the rider’s starting line and ending with the stone farthest from the rider’s starting line, treading on each stepping stone and on the ground after the last. He or she will then remount before riding across the changeover line. Riders two, three, and four will similarly complete the course up and down the arena in succession. The winning team will be the one whose rider number four is first over the finish line, mounted.

If a stone is missed, knocked over by a rider or a pony’s foot, or the rider’s foot hits the ground before the last stone is treaded, rider must reset the stone and redo all six stones. No competitor is allowed to get help from the pony or its tack by holding onto the mane, the neck, the saddle, or any part of the bridle held close to the bit (leaning on the bridle for support).

Advanced Division Rules:

Rider number one is behind line A, and rider number two is behind line C. Rider number one rides to the stepping stones, dismounts, and dashes across (on top of the stones) while leading his/her pony, treading on each stepping stone and on the ground after the last stone. He/she then remounts before riding across the changeover line. Rider number two completes the race in the same manner, following rider number one.

Correction rules:

• If the rider falls off the stepping-stones, knocks over a stone, or has his pony knock over a stone, he must correct the stones and he must restep ALL six stepping-stones  beginning at the first stone.

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.

• The rider and his pony should run on the same side of the stones (either left or right).  Don't attempt this with the pony approaching on one side of the stones and the rider on the other.

• Riders should practice dismounting well before getting to the stones so there is enough time to get the pony moving straight and forward before the rider needs to step the stones.

• The rider should practice running beside the trotting pony, making sure the pony will trot in a straight line. Make sure that the pony will trot well away from the rider while he is running.

• The rider should push him away with his fist or elbow to give the rider enough room to step the stones.

• The rider should practice stepping across the stones with his toes as fast as possible.

• Advanced riders should take only one step on the ground before vaulting immediately into the saddle.

• The riders may NOT use any of the stepping stones as a “leg up” during vaulting.