Keyhole is an event ran mostly in Gymkhana and Playdays.
The Keyhole event is a tricky event for both the horse
and it's rider. This is because the Keyhole is drawn out
in a chalk line only allowing the horse and rider to enter,
turn, and exit inside it's boundries. The disqualifications
for this event is if the horse exits the Keyhole or steps on
the lines you will receive a no time.
To explain a little something about running patterns,
there is one stipulation that needs to be brought forth,
and that is that some horses make left or right turns better
than they do the other one. Remember one thing that is important
to have good running times, when you are starting your run, make
sure your horse is at full speed before you enter the timing line and
don't start to stop your horse until you have crossed the timing
line at the finish. The disqualifications for speeds events are
inforced if you go off pattern or fall off your horse. There are
time penalities if you knock down a barrel or pole, which most
of the time is two seconds added on your existing time.
In the Keyhole event it doesn't really matter if you have a
right or left hand turning horse. The only thing that really
matters is once you have reached the inside of the Keyhole that
you turn whichever direction is more comfortable for you and
which way will keep you from stepping on the chalk lines.
Please keep in mind that the speed of each horse varies and
whenever you are running a speed event, you run it at you and your
horse's capabilities. Please remember to take caution to keep you
from getting hurt and from your horse from getting hurt
also or going lame.
And please one more thing for safety precautions, please
wear a helmet to secure safety on your behalf.