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Pole Bending

Pole bending is a western riding speed event in which horse and rider complete a prescribed slalom pattern through six poles as fast and cleanly as possible. Time is central; knocked poles add penalty time.

LevelMain sport FamilyEquestrian Sports CategoryEquestrian sport

AI-generated illustration: Pole Bending — AI-generated illustration

Classification

Category Equestrian sport

Family Equestrian Sports

Level Main sport

Getting started

Kurzbeschreibung Pole bending is a timed horse-rider slalom around six poles.

Geeignet für Suitable for riders with western basics who like speed and precise turns.

Cost Entry through western barn/training; owning a horse is costly, clinic/lesson horse may be cheaper. Riding training, barn/club costs, event fees and equipment. Western barn, gymkhana/rodeo club or speed-event coach. Increase speed only once control, footing and horse are suitable.

First progress Pattern after a few sessions; fast clean runs need extensive training.

Fitness level medium

Was du brauchst

suitable horse
western/riding tack
coach
six poles
safe arena
protection by barn rule

First steps

set poles correctly
learn line at walk
practise bend and aids
increase speed gradually

Western barn, AQHA/NHSRA-adjacent training, gymkhana club or barrel/pole-bending coach.

Only on safe footing, with controllable horse and coach; never use speed to replace training.

Weitere Angaben

Aliases Pole bending open, Pole Bending Open

Tags animal, equestrian, rodeo, pole-bending, animal-sport, western-pole-bending, equestrian-sports, pferdesport

Rules and format

Die Grundlagen

Ziel

Complete the prescribed six-pole slalom quickly and cleanly.

Teilnehmer

One horse-rider pair.

Teamgröße

Single pair.

Spielfeld

Pole bending arena with six poles.

Dauer

One short timed run.

Wertung

Time plus penalty seconds for knocked poles.

Gewinnbedingung

Fastest clean/rule-compliant time.

Ausrüstung

horse
saddle/bridle
six poles
safe arena

Wichtige Regelpunkte

knocked pole
wrong pattern
leaving the course
unsafe riding

Regelquellen

Federations and sources

Pole Bending American Quarter Horse Association · federation-guide · high
Teaching a Horse to Pole Bend American Quarter Horse Association · training-guide · medium
Pole Bending Tips Horse Illustrated · blog-guide · medium