Expert: Sarah Lothmann - 8/3/2007

Question
Hey. I was just wondering if you knew any good games that i could use to teach little kids at my pony club about riding. Anything would be appreciated. I want to help some of them build up their confidence but i also want it to be a fun and relaxed session. A few of them have had frisky ponies lately and have hit the ground a few times so if theres also any tips i could pass onto them about holding on or anything just to help with their confidence that would help alot!!! Thanks for your time. Brogan

Answer
Hi Brogan!  Your question is an entertaining one!  Before I get into a list of fun activities, I want to commend you for wanting to keep the sport fun!  

Below I have listed various activities both my students and I have enjoyed in the past.  Some activities are more involved than others.  Hopefully I've listed enough of a variety so you can pick a few that will suit your needs.  If you finish reviewing the activities and still would like more assistance, please feel free to contact me again.  

- MOUNTED ACTIVITIES -

> Bareback Bill Showdown
Each contestant must ride bareback.  A dollar bill is placed under each thigh or calf depending on level of difficulty you choose.  All riders line up in the middle of the ring.  One by one each must ride around the ring keeping the dollar under each leg.  Using their hands to catch or hold the bills in place is not permitted.  You can change the difficulty by riding the posting trot, or cantering, using a half seat, etc.  Riders who succeed the first round get to keep the money.  Each round the dollar amount increases as well as the level of difficulty.  The last rider still holding their bills wins!

> Eggcelent Relay Race
Riders form into teams.  Each rider will need a spoon.  Each team will need 1 egg (hard boiled eggs are easier to clean up when dropped).  Teams split up their riders evenly on either end of the ring.  When given the cue to start the team leader rides as fast and as smoothly as he/she can to the end of the ring with the egg in the spoon.  When the rider meets their teammate, they pass the egg and the new rider rides to the end of the ring to pass the egg to the next rider on their team.  The first team to finish without dropping their egg wins!

> Gymna-Limbo
Setup a gymnastics set of three to five obstacles.  Begin with polls on the ground.  Each rider must make it through either with out stirrups or with reins tied in a knot.  Each round increase the steaks by changing the elements of the gymnastics set.  Don't forget to include ground poles on the half stride to increase the difficulty!  The rider who can keep the horse straight and consistent proceeds to the next round.  Refusals or knocking the jump standards are disqualifications.  The rider who clears the most difficult set straight and with consistent energy wins!  * I like to add a halt at the end of the ring to increase strength and balance for both rider and horse.*

> Backwards Somersault Dismounts
Each rider will need a handler to help hold their horse as well as a spotter helping riders find balance when they dismount.  To do the backwards somersault dismount the rider places both legs on the right side of the horse.  Then the rider places both hands behind them holding the side flap of the saddle.  Then the rider flips over backward and releases their grip from the saddle just before landing on the ground.  Doing this is not only fun, but builds riders confidence.  Getting used to the disorientation in this activity helps diminish the disorientation associated with falling off.  

> Pony Swap Challenge
This is similar to a horse show.  The kids have to design a jump course and flat routine.  Then the kids elect a judge.  Then randomly swap riders and ponies so no one is riding their own.  They each have to compete in both events.  The judge scores the individual performances and pins the event first, second, third, etc.

Some commonly known games:
Simon Says
Follow the Leader
Scavenger Hunt
Barrel Races

- UNMOUNTED ACTIVITIES -

> Peoples' Choice Mini Prix
Set up hay bails for jumps.  The kids can help design the course too!  The kids then "canter" around the course as if they were the horse.  If the rub or touch the hay, they receive time faults.  If the fall, trip, or go off course, again more faults.  Who ever has the fastest time and least amount of faults wins!

> Stable Day Parade
> Costume Ponies
Dress the ponies up to compete for the most creative costume!
> Jump Floats
Riders team up to decorate jumps to compete for the most creative jump!  *Bonus* Additional challenge for most creative and least spooky if one of the horses will actually jump over it!

> Mr. Ed Award
Everyone has a day to try to teach their horse a trick.  Then they are judged on originality and difficulty.  The most original/creative and difficult trick that is successfully completed wins the Mr. Ed Award!

> Bucket Surprise
Select a few horse treat recipes to make as a group.  Then feed your horses and watch them drool happily!

> Groomer of the Month/Day Award
Who ever grooms their horse the best wins this award.  If you are doing this monthly, then the rider is photographed with their well groomed horse.  The photo is then framed and displayed somewhere prominent in the barn.  The recipient gets a new grooming tool or bath product.  At the end of the month the recipient gets to keep the framed photo.  Continue this every month to encourage good grooming habits.

Some commonly known activities:
Equestrian Trivial Pursuit
Braiding

One thing I do with all my students when I first start teaching them is a great little trick to expose their weakness.  I ask them to halt, sit up straight with a slight arch in their back, and heels down.  I walk over to them and stand in front of their horse.  I place my hands on the reins lightly about 3-4 inches from the bit.  I ask them what they think makes a strong rider.  I ask them why might be the reason most beginner riders fall.  Usually by this point my student has forgotten to keep their weight in their heels and their back tall and shoulders back.  This is when I pull the reins sharply toward the bit.  Pulling this way properly will not disturb the bit in the horse mouth, but will almost always pull my student forward up on the horses neck, and leaves the rider very unbalanced.  I explain that when your position is incorrect you have no strength and balance to overcome when a horse stumbles, drops his head, or pulls on the bit.  Then I ask them to position themselves as I originally instructed and I repeat the sharp tug on the reins.  Every student I have ever had is amazed at how much stronger they are when in the correct position!  Their confidence immediately increases and their determination to hold a correct position also increases!

Hope this helps!  Thank you for asking your question at www.allexperts.com!
- Sarah