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United States Pony Clubs
4041 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8462
Phone:  (859) 254-7669
Fax:  (859) 233-4652

Game Setup:

Place the bucket containing the four wooden fish on Line B. Make sure to lean the fish against the sides so the fish are not leaning on each other. Rider five or a designated holder will stand 3 yards behind Line C holding the 4’ post. All riders start the race behind Line A. Give rider 1 the fishing pole.

Game Play:

On the signal to start, rider number one, carrying the dowel, will ride to the bucket, hook a fish on the end of the dowel and continue to rider five/volunteer.  Rider number five/volunteer unhooks the fish and secures it on one of the hooks on the post.  All 4 feet of the pony must cross and remain behind the Line C until rider number five/volunteer has correctly placed the fish on a hook, then he/she rides to the start line to handoff the dowel to rider number two.   Riders two, three, and four complete the race in the same manner.  The winning team will be the one whose rider number four crosses the finish line, carrying the dowel and with all four fish on hooks.

If a fish is dropped while handing over to the person holding the post, that person may pick it up and put it on the post; it need not be replaced on the rider's dowel.  The Holder shall signal by raising a hand that the fish is securely hung, so that the judges can determine when the rider may properly return.  Failure to so signal, however, shall not carry a penalty.

Correction rules:

• If the rider knocks the bucket over BEFORE hooking his fish, he must, either mounted or unmounted, set up  the bucket and place all the fish into the bucket.  Then the rider remount and can hook his fish while MOUNTED.

• If a rider drops a fish after hooking it securely and BEFORE he completely crosses Line C, he may either mounted or unmounted, by hand or with fishing hook, pick up the fish. He may not receive any help from the holder.

• If the fish is dropped AFTER crossing Line C and while handing it over to the person holding the post, either the rider or the person holding the post may pick up the fish. The rider’s pony MUST have all four feet over Line C at this time. The fish does not need to be replaced on the fishing dowel but can be placed directly on the post.

Special Tips:

• Remember the holding area line (6-yard line) is six yards from Line A and Line C.  During the playing of the games only the next rider out may be in front of this line.  All others must be behind it in the holding area.  If there are more than one outgoing rider in front of the 6-yard line, the team will be eliminated for that game.

• The holder should signal by raising a hand that the fish is securely fastened, so the judges can determine when the rider may properly return. However, this is not required.

• When giving the fish to the holder, the rider should hold the fishing pole so the hook is facing home (line A) so it is easier for the holder to get the fish off.

• When picking up a fish from the bucket, pick the fish easiest for you. Don’t worry about making it easy for someone else.

• Many ponies freak out when they first see the fish hanging from the fishing pole. Riders should show the fish hanging from the fishing pole to the pony first when unmounted. When the pony is comfortable with that situation, then have the coach hold the pony while the rider works with the pony while mounted.