Bow Island’s non-competitive Gymkhana Club offers riders skill development while stressing a fun time

By Justin Seward Southern Alberta Newspapers on July 2, 2021.

The Bow Island Gymkhana Club returned to the town’s Rodeo Grounds for its second year with a welcome back session on June 24.

Organizers Christy Martens, Kimberly Hodgeson and Mikayla Gross started the club last year after Martens and her girls attended a gymkhana night in Irvine.

“A couple of years ago me and my girls had the opportunity to participate at the Irvine Gymkhana Club and at that time a friend of ours had a horse they let us ride,” said Martens.

“So, we went out there and just had such a great time. I moved back to Bow Island about two years ago and I just thought it would be really fun to be able to do the same thing here. I kind of talked to a few people and Makayla and Kim were interested – so, we just got it going.”

The Club is nom-competitive and its focus is to build confidence and skill development for riders.

“They’re essentially doing games with their horses,” said Martens.

“So, barrel racing, pole bending, flag picking, egg and spoon races. This year, Mikayla had set up a Cowboy Challenge course – so, they have a teeter totter bridge and water obstacles and flags. Just a lot of different horsemanship skills for the kids to really build their confidence and become well-rounded riders is the goal – and have fun.”

The organizers wanted to offer a wider variety of events for riders to have more opportunities to enjoy their horses in 2021.

The club will run every Thursday through July and August at the Bow Island Rodeo Grounds.

July 8 will be an introduction to jumping, July 15 is Cowboy Challenge Night, July 22 is bareback night, July 29 is a barrel clinic night, Aug. 5 is a costume parade, Aug. 12 is a Cowboy Challenge, Aug. 19 is gymkhana and a wrap up night on Aug. 25.

All the events start at 6:30 p.m. and all riders are welcome.

There is no fee to participate and riders can just show up.

More information can be found through the Bow Island Gymkhana Facebook Page.

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