Speed Ball is a speed event that is ran at Horse Shows, Playdays,
and Gymkhanas.
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.
Well Speed Ball is a tricky and skillful event for the horse,
but especially the rider. The rider has a golf ball in their
possesion and as they make the turn around the cone, whether it
be a right or left one, they must try and get that golf ball
dropped through a hole that is cut out of the cone. If you do
not suceed in making the ball inside of the cone you are
automatically disqualified.
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.