HOME  

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

Game Setup:

Place four old socks inside the hula-hoop located three yards behind Line C. Often the hula-hoop is not used but a circle is created using spray paint for visibility. Place a bucket on Line B. All riders start the race behind Line A. Riders 2, 3, and 4 must start the race behind the 6-yard line. Give the fifth sock to rider 1.

Game Play:

On the signal to start, rider number one, carrying a sock, rides to the bucket on line B and drops the sock in it. The rider then con-tinues to the far end to pick up a sock. The rider must dismount to pick up a sock and may dismount at any time after he has successfully dropped the sock into the bucket, but the rider and all four feet of the pony must cross Line C (either mounted or dismounted) before returning for the handover regardless of where the sock was picked up. Riders number two, three and four will complete the course in the same manner in succession with rider number four dropping the last sock into the bucket (double dunking) on his way back. The winning team will be the one whose rider number four is first over the finish line mounted. If the socks are knocked out of the hula hoop they need not be placed back in.

Correction rules:

• If the rider misses the bucket, the rider may pick up the sock while mounted or unmounted and place it in the bucket.

• If the rider knocks over the bucket, the rider may correct the equipment mounted or unmounted.

• If the socks are knocked out of the hula-hoop or painted circle, the rider does not have to replace the socks. The rider may pick up the socks where ever they land.

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

• Riders should remember when dunking the sock that it is not as bouncy as a ball. The rider does not have to be quite as careful when dunking. However, don’t get sloppy when dunking. See dunking tips.

• The advanced rider should use the corner vault after making the sock pickup. See vaulting tips.

• Some riders find it better to dismount right after dunking the sock and running with the pony across Line C to pick up the sock. Advanced riders however make the pickup short and efficient by dismounting at the socks, picking up the sock while the pony is circling around them, vaulting on the pony and taking off. One smooth continuous move.

• The incoming rider should use the 3-finger handoff. See handoffs tips.