ATHOL — If you’ve got a horse and know how to use it, or if you want to see horses and riders compete in the equestrian equivalent of a slalom, the New England Equestrian Center of Athol is holding its first gymkhana of the year on Sunday.
Gymkhana is a series of timed, competitive, equestrian games involving riding or driving through patterns made up of barrels, cones and poles. NEECA will host five gymkhana events throughout the summer, with participants earning points toward year-end awards.
Divisions are designed to include all, from children with lead-lines to walk-trot riders to advanced riders and drivers.
Spectators are welcome. Competitors can find the registration information, and diagrams of the patterns being used Sunday, at neeca.org. Registration forms may be printed and brought the day of the race or filled out there. The entry fee is $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers.
The New England Equestrian Center of Athol is a nonprofit horse park at 660 New Sherborn Road in Athol. The event begins there at 9 a.m.