"Let the games begin," yells the scorekeeper.
According to the book LEGACY OF THE HORSE from the International Museum of the Horse located in Lexington, Kentucky, tournaments in the Middle Ages became the most popular form of recreation for knights all over Europe. To keep in shape for battle the events included jousting, melee, and fighting on foot. Although heavily armored knights became obsolete the sport of games on horseback retained its nobility, valor and grandeur.
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary the noun gymkhana (pronounced jim-'ka-na) came into the English language around 1877. Today gymkhana is associated with games on horseback that involve skill and speed that test both horse and rider.
Testing one's riding ability and a horse's quickness and agility is nothing new. Many ancient artifacts depict games on horseback like the Javelin Throw as early as the 5th century B.C. Olympic Games.
PRESENT
Today, gymkhana is a global sport with many variations and regulations.
Modern day gymkhana events are steeped in historical tradition. The South African Gymkhana Union of Middleburg, Cape, are founder members of the International Tentpegging Association, along with India, Australia, England, and Israel. Currently the USA and Canada are not part of the International Tentpegging Association but that could change soon with the organizing of a World Games in the not to distance future. Tentpegging was developed in India from the games and maneuvers of the British Occupation Army. The riders ride four abreast spearing a 3x12 cardboard "tentpeg."
There is plenty of international competition. Another organization is Mounted Games, encourages friendship between young people of different nations.
Mounted Games was the brainstorm of His Royal Highness. Prince Philip who asked Col. Sir Mike Ansell, Director of the Horse of the Year Show to devise a competition for children who could not afford expensive well-bred ponies. In 1957, the first Mounted Games Championship was held at Harringay Arena becoming an immediate success. The original format is still used in Team Competitions, but Mounted Games have added pairs of riders and individual classes.
Many of the games have historically recognizable names such as Sword Lancers, Moat and Castle, Victoria Cross, Triple Flag. Other game names seem to have a more modern twist like the Hula Hoop, Tool Box Scramble, Bottle Shuttle and Socks and Buckets.
