Single Stake is the easiest event that there is to run. It can
be seen at some Horse Shows, Gymkhanas, and Playdays.
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.
Single Stake is a quite popular with the little kids. They like
riding in this event because it is so easy. Well as the name describes,
there is a single pole that sits out in the arena all you have to do is
run around it. Okay for a left turning horse you want to make a left turn
around the pole and for a right turning horse you want to make a right turn
around the pole. The hardest part about this event is to make sure that you
start within the timing line and you end within the timing line.
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.