Keyhole race
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A keyhole race is a speed event commonly seen at equestrian events and gymkhanas, where the horse and rider team completing the event in the fastest time wins. Horses running this event must have speed, but also the agility to stop quickly in full stride, turn, and bolt directly back into a run.
The obstacle course is a pattern, usually marked with white powder (commonly flour or powdered chalk) poured into a "keyhole" shape in the dirt.[1] The pattern varies between events. According to the California Gymkhana Association, the pattern should be set up as follows:
- 80 feet (24 m) from arena gate to timing line.
- 100 feet (30 m) from timing line to center of keyhole.
- Keyhole should be 4 feet (1.2 m) across at the entrance, 10 feet (3.0 m) from the entrance of the keyhole to the bulb.
- The bulb itself should be 20 feet (6.1 m) across.
- The pattern may also be made of cones or poles set up in a similar pattern.
