Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Gymkhana Page

Gymkhana Overview

Gymkhana is a term used in the United Kingdom, east coast of the United States, and other English-speaking nations to describe an equestrian event consisting of timed games for riders on horses. These events often emphasize children's participation and may be organized by a recognized Pony Club or a 4-H club.

A Gymkhana (derived from the Urdu word for "racket court") is an Indian term for a place where sporting events take place and refers to any of various meets at which contests are held to test the skill of the competitors, such as in the sports of equestrianism, gymnastics, or sports car racing.
In the United Kingdom, the term gymkhana now almost always refers to an equestrian event, often with the emphasis on children's participation (such as those organized by the Pony Club), although in the past the word was sometimes used for motorsport events.
In equestrian competitions, gymkhana classes are timed speed events such as barrel racing, keyhole, keg race (also know as "down and back"), and pole bending. Typical gymkhana events includes: Jumping, Showing, Novice Corner & Gymkhana Events, Working Hunter, Mountain & Moorland, Handy Pony, Clear Round, Fancy Dress, Pleasure Driving and Cones Driving

In the western United States, this type of competition is usually called an "O-Mok-See" (also spelled O Mok See or "Omoksee") competition, a term derived from a Native American phrase meaning "games on horseback."

Gymkhana and O-Mok-See classes include timed speed events such as barrel racing, keyhole, keg race (also known as "down and back"), flag race, and pole bending.