Pole bending

Summary

Pole bending is a timed event that features a horse and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line. This event is usually seen in high school rodeos and 4-H events as well as American Quarter Horse Association, Paint, and Appaloosa sanctioned shows as well as at many gymkhana or O-Mok-See events.

Pole bending
Pole bending
Characteristics
Mixed-sexGenerally female, some males, particularly at youth levels
Type
EquipmentHorse, horse tack
VenueIndoor or outdoor riding arena
Presence
Country or regionUnited States, Canada
course layout
course layout

Nez Perce Stake Race edit

 
Nez Perce Stake Race course

The Nez Perce Stake Race is a type of pole bending race which is also a match race: two horses race on identical courses laid out side-by-side, with the loser eliminated and the winner moving up the brackets to race the other winners. It is not a timed event.[1] It is one of five game classes approved for horse club shows by the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC).[2] The ApHC rules state that racing competition is traditional to the Nez Perce Native American people.[1] However, it is unclear if this particular competition is derived from any traditional competition.

References edit

  1. ^ a b ApHC rulebook, rule 730, and "History", p. 11
  2. ^ Application for Appaloosa Horse Club Show Approval Appaloosa Horse Club 2011. Accessed September 2011.

External links edit

  • Pole Bending Event Information From Pro Rodeo Online
  • National Pole Bending Association (2009). Retrieved from http://www.polebending.org.
  • Smith, Ken. (2009, July 15). Ken and Pat Smith, Sunrise West Quarter Horses, LLC. Retrieved from http://www.sunrisewest.com/help.html
  • National Little Britches Rodeo Association
  • National High School Rodeo Association