Flag Race

Flag Race

What you'll need

• Riding crop
• Washcloth
• twine
• two hanging feeder buckets

Preparation

• Use the twine/string to tie the washcloth to the riding crop so it looks like a flag
• Hang one feeder bucket at each end of the arena on the top rail of the fence
• Place "flag" in one of the buckets

Game

Student has to get the flag from one bucket and walk/trot/canter (whichever level student is at) to place the flag in the other bucket

Variations:

• put cones down to weave through

• place a small jump to go over

• incorporate ground poles

• game can be timed or untimed

• make student ride in two-point position

• if it is a group lesson, make it a relay race. Everyone starts from one point, and the first person rides to pick up the flag, rides to the other end to put it in the bucket, and rides back to tag second rider. Second rider gets the flag out of the bucket and returns it to the other bucket, tags third rider, etc.

Added benefits:

This game teaches the rider to speed the horse up within any gait; advanced riders learn to jump-start their horse instead of meandering into the next fastest gait. From two-point position and standing, this will increase balance and strength as well as coordination to place the flag in the bucket. It provides the challenge of getting the horse close enough to the fence to drop the flag in, and can also teach the rider to stop, back up, or move sideways as needed to make the drop. And it's fun!

Thanks to Catherine and Angel for being willing participants!