Disappointing turn-out doesn't dull Gymkhana
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from July 1976.
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Heldon the High School playing fields, the show started at 9.30 a.m. with a jumping competition for all 14 horses that endeted the Gymkhana. The field was laid out with a variety of seven jumps. Ech rider was timed and had to take all jumps in a particular sequence. This requires great skill on the both the horse and rider.
Mary Alberga on her horse, 'Tanga' completed the course in the fastest time of 38 seconds, thereby winning the Cheval Ranch jumping trophy. The high jumping competition followed in which only 6 horses were entered. The winner, Belinda Orcutt on 'Niki' owned by Elaine Kirkconnell, completed the course in 36 seconds. The very close times made this event most exctiing. The jumping trophy was presented during the lunch interval by Mrs. Jackie Balls. Hamburgers and drinks were provided by the Lions Club.
At 2.15 p.m. the various Gymkhana races began. These are test for speed and agility on the part of the horse and skillful control by the rider. An example of this is the "flag race" during which four horses and riders raced to a position on the field, picked up a four-foot flagpole and race past a four-inch diameter holder (for each horse) in which the flag has to be placed whilst the horse canters fast; then the rider carries on to a point where the horse is turned to go back for another flag. The rider has to have four flags in the holder to be the winner. There were four heats to each event, and four horses in each heat, and the winners of each heat went on to a final. The first and second riders of the final heat were presented with medallions.
Included in the programme of races were a potato race, water race, canter-trop, walk-lead race, etc. Unfortunately the afternoon was marred by heavy rainfall and the last race had to be cancelled. There was a very small turnout of spectators for the Gymkhana which was disappointing, however the horses behaved well and the riders thoroughly enjoyed their day and are clamouring for Cheval Ranch to hold another one in September.
Cheval Ranch would like to extend their thanks to all the judges for the events, to the Lions Club for providing the barbeque, and to the School Board for allowing the Gymkhana to be held on the high school field.
