Bucket Ball

Bucket Ball

What you'll need

• Medium or large bucket
• Large whiffle balls (can be bought inexpensively at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods section)
• OR foam balls (about double the size of your fist)

Preparation

• Set the bucket on a chair or mounting steps at one end of the arena, with nothing around it to run into
• Stand at the opposite end of the arena with the balls

Game

Rider goes to you for a ball, rides to the other end of the arena, and deposits the ball into the bucket. Repeat until all balls have been used.

Variations:

• Walk, trot, or canter to the bucket
• Rider stops at bucket before throwing ball
• Rider keeps going past bucket and throws ball in while moving
• Rider stops a certain distance away for a far throw
• Use a smaller bucket for a more challenging throw
• Have two riders doing this at the same time, without running into each other
• Throw the ball to the student instead of handing it to them
• Weave through cones on the way to the bucket

Added Benefits:

This game teaches riders the skill of coordination, due to the challenge of getting a ball into a bucket while continuing to control the horse at the chosen gait. It's hard to keep a horse trotting right past the bucket, and throw the ball in at the same time! Games like this help take the focus of concentrating on everything at once and focus on having fun, which usually ends up helping students ride better anyway.

Thanks to Catherine and Angel for being willing participants!