Pole Bending

A timed event in which the speed and agility of the horse are tested as horse and rider twice weave through a course of six poles spaced 21 feet apart, twice circling end poles before turning and racing to the finish line. The pattern must be followed exactly. A five-second penalty is added for each pole knocked down.
August 08, 2024 | News and Publications , Timed / Speed events

AQHA Awards Top Horse Honors at NHSFR
This year, AQHA awarded 12 top-horse titles to 10 exceptional equine athletes that stood out against the rest at the National High School Finals Rodeo.
October 03, 2022 | News and Publications , Timed / Speed events

Horse-Training Tips for a Sour Horse
Problem-solving techniques can help overcome a horse’s competition sourness.
August 31, 2022 | News and Publications , Timed / Speed events

The Anxious Horse: Barrel Horse Training
These horse-training exercises help calm hot speed-event horses.
August 08, 2022 | News and Publications , Ranch Sorting

Martingales and Draw Reins: Use and Rules
Learn more about the different types of martingales and draw reins, how they’re used and the AQHA rules governing them.
July 19, 2022 | , The American Quarter Horse Journal

Hometown Hero
While he didn’t cut it as a pack horse, Chic N Smooth has taken three teens to the National High School Rodeo Finals, held in his own stomping grounds.