RHR Gymkhana Racing, Inc
the ultimate in Gymkhana
and Gymkhana Match Racing
The most exciting game on  horseback

Heat Assignments
& Match Race Procedures

SHOW CENTERS

  It is noted that while Show Centers are required to adhere to certain RHR Gymkhana show rules and procedures designed to  insure safety, equal opportunity and fairness to all riders, each Show Center is financed, managed, staffed and under the direct control of their own managers.  Thus their events, classes, entry fees, awards, and day procedures may vary considerably. 

SINGLE LANE CLASSES

  While most groups will run single lane classes when requested, virtually all Show Centers Match Races two or more lanes.  

RIDER HEAT ASSIGNMENT IN MATCH RACING

 A computerized handicap system determines the match up of the riders for each heat. Performance data for each individual event is used to determine the riders who will run against each other. This system strives to match riders of comparable performance capability to run against each other. 

THE SEQUENCE OF MATCH RACE EVENTS

 A race begins when the announcer announces “Open the Gate.” As the first rider enters the arena, the announcer activates a fully automatic electronic system and announces “The System is On.” Then, in sequence but in accordance with predetermined intervals of time, a “Get Ready “ horn is sounded, then followed by a “Start the Course” horn. Each rider attempts to cross the starting line as close to but not before a predetermined starting time. If the rider crosses the starting line before the “Start the Course” horn is sounded that rider is disqualified. The rider then runs the prescribed course and crosses the finish line.   The following three times are recorded for each rider:  “Start” time, “On course” time, and “Match Race” time. 

THE WINNING RIDERS

 A number of means are available for determining the winning riders of an event.  The specific means used is largely determined by the management of each Show Center; i.e. the winning riders of an event may be based on rider performance results obtained from single round competition, multi-round competition, or a mixture of both.

a.  Single Round Competition.  In single round competition the winning riders may by based on the rider times they are able to achieve in the 1st Round of Competition (Round #1).  For example,  the rider times may be sorted from the fastest to the slowest times for each of the following rider times:  “Start,” “On Course,” and “Match Race” times.  The Rating Level associated with each rider time can be determined and depending on the number of riders signed up in the class awards may be given to a specified number of riders in each of the 5 rating levels.

b.  Multi-Round Competition.  In multi-round competition, the placement of the riders may be in accordance with how many heats the rider won with the top riders being the rider who won all of the rounds of competition.   In this situation the winner of each heat in Round 1 is brought back to ride against the other Round 1 winners.  Then the winners of these heats are brought back to a third Round race and so forth until there is only one winner left.  That rider is the top match racer in that event.

As and example of the Rounds and Heats required in multi-round competition lets assume we have a 64 riders in a given four lane event.
   Round #1 would consist of 16 heats with 4 riders in each heat and would produce 16 winners
   Round #2 would consist of 4 heats with 4 riders in each heat and would produce 4 winners.
   Round #3 would consist of 1 heat of 4 riders and would produce the ultimate winner.

 DAY HIGH POINT

If the show center desires to have a day high point award, there are several methods of determining that winner

a.   One method might be to award points based on the riders place in each level.  You might award three points to the fastest Level 1 rider, 3 points to the fastest Level 2 rider and so on.   You could also give points for the second (2 pts.)  and third place riders (1 pt) in each heat.  At the end of the day, you total each riders points in each level and the rider with the most points in each level is your winner.

b.   Another way would be to award points based on the riders placement in each heat.           For example,  Points may be awarded to riders in accordance with the following criteria:

 As noted above each Show Center may use the above or any other method they desire to determine the placement of riders.

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