Games are a favorite for all ages and disciplines
of riders. Any horse or pony can compete, regardless of age, breed, or discipline. Games are popular
in Pony Club and 4H, and are often used as an exciting way to teach riding skills.
However, there are a number of professional gamers, and good gaming horses can cost a lot of money.
Gaming horses tend to be short, since the rider often has to mount and dismount quickly. For this reason,
ponies are usually used more. Many are of Quarter Horse descent, in order to make quick turns and
for quick bursts of speed.
There are any number of games and variations to
play.
Pole bending is one of the most popular. In pole bending, each horse must wind through a line of poles
or cones, turn, and come back. Speed and steering are crucial, as the horse who cuts closest to the
poles without knocking them down is usually the winner.
Another game with several variations has riders
picking up an object, usually a cup, flag, bottle, ball, or similar object perched precariously
on a pole or cone, racing around a certain point, and placing the object back on the pole or cone.
It is often difficult to get the object to stay without falling, which causes time penalties.
The keyhole race is fairly simple. A box
is outlined on the ground, using poles or chalk or tape. An entryway is left on the side facing the
starting line. Horses must enter the box through the opening, turn around completely, and exit the opening.
They can not step on or over the lines of the box or they receive penalties.
There are many many more games, and many variations on these games.
Games are a favorite for all ages and disciplines
of riders. Any horse or pony can compete, regardless of age, breed, or discipline. Games are popular
in Pony Club and 4H, and are often used as an exciting way to teach riding skills. 
There are any number of games and variations to
play. 
Another game with several variations has riders
picking up an object, usually a cup, flag, bottle, ball, or similar object perched precariously
on a pole or cone, racing around a certain point, and placing the object back on the pole or cone.
It is often difficult to get the object to stay without falling, which causes time penalties. 
The keyhole race is fairly simple. A box
is outlined on the ground, using poles or chalk or tape. An entryway is left on the side facing the
starting line. Horses must enter the box through the opening, turn around completely, and exit the opening.
They can not step on or over the lines of the box or they receive penalties. 