This is a game I learned from some instructors where I work now.
Teddy Bear Picnic
Arena setup:
- 4 cones down both walls, across from each other
- 4 beanie babies spread out on the fence on the near end of the arena
- 1 barrel at the far end of the arena with a towel on top
Game:
The beanie babies are having a picnic! The rider collects them one at a time, rides the serpentine trail from cone to cone up the hill, and delivers them to the picnic blanket (towel) on the mountain (barrel). Trot back to the beginning to get the next beanie baby!
Note: it doesn’t have to be Teddy Bears – we make it a Beanie Baby Picnic. You could also make it a Pony Picnic by using toy horses.
What I really liked about this arena setup was that I could modify it to so many of my riders:
- Little kids played Teddy Bear Picnic, working on steering, whoa and walk on
- Accomplished riders worked on bending through serpentines, progressing to riding independently
- Low functioning riders worked on balance by first walking laps, whoaing at cones, weaving cones down the walls, and finally riding serpentines
****************
Note: This is not professional advice, this is a blog. I am not liable for what you do with or how you use this information. The activities explained in this blog may not be fit for every rider, riding instructor, or riding center depending on their current condition and resources. Use your best personal judgement!