The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16
GYMKHGNA NOW IN BLOSSOM.
POINTS ABOuT THE MEETS POPU.
Ian AT THE COUNTRY CLUBS.
Came From India, hut Thoroughly Accll-
mated Here Women Figure as Riders
and Contestants as Well as Men-f I'm
and FrOlIc IN the ODD conditions,

and Contestants as We'll as Men-t I'm
and Frolic In the odd Conditions.
Gymkhana acts have been funmakers at
many Of the riding school entertainments
during the winter, and this month the meets
entirely devoted to these varied features
begin in the open. Lakewood ana Atlahto
City are the first places to hold gymkhaha
In the spring, but before the ice forms
there will have been meets at most OF the
country clubs hereabouts and at the summer
resorts Of the mountains, lakes forest ana
seashore. There Is no hard and last rule
as TO framing the programme, tor' as win
the favors az a cotillon, 1t may be simple
or elaborate. a matter OF an hour OF OF
month in the preparation OF the entertain
ment. This free and easy attribute helps
T. make the gymkhana widely popular
both with those who are to entertain ana 10
tn onlookers. The latter feel sure OF some
hearty laughs and possibly a real surprise
in the way Of such sights, while the enter
liners feel that they have only TO pitch IN
and do their best to make hit
Gymkhana Is an Anglo-Indian word, and
a comprehensive one, for II does a. much
work as a winning gymkhanite, to ring
another change on It. II means an occasion
Of ludicrous sports and horse races ana
also the place where such a meet IA held.
The word is probably corrupted IRON gdnd-
khdnd, the Persian for ball house, the
prefix being COMPOUNDED with. the Greek
in gymusS m; but this il veTging upon
matters mat do not concern the paruci-
pants or the spectators, who only care to
know that gymkhana. like polo. has been
brought TO England from India and that
both pastimes have journ yed thence across
seas to the United States.
Essentially the country sports Of pole
raising or barbecue day have in them the
spirit Of gymkhana-the chasing Of a
creased pig, climbing greasy pole, racing
in sacks, three legged races and similar
laughter provoking contests. But for the
country clubs the cards are framed on
more polite lines, as Il were, 50 that women
may join in without making a mess Of their
attire, and the ponies, too, have usually
a part.
Indeed, without the aid Of polo ponies a
gymkhana may seldom be a first class
success and the best stage for the meet Is
a polo field, although any broad stretch Of
turf will do. The first step in getting up
such an entertainment is for the club TO
appoint a committee, unless there Is a
standing committee on sports and games
or on tournaments that falls heir TO the
| troubles. When an admission fee Is charged
| il il usually TO benefit local charity and
| then there are outside workers ready 10 help
Z the committee. But the true gymkhana
/ Is social event, a sporting picnic for the
members and their guests, which gains in
| spice and merriment from the ridiculous
mishaps to befall the mutual friends who
| are the contestants. The committee, how
ever the affair il to be conducted, must
prepare and advertise the conditions Of the
/ gymkhana, taking care that the programme
IA as far from the stereotyped as may be
possible.
A feature tried with success last season
at Newport, Lenox and Easthampton was
goose races. The Kissing naughty and
| headstrong giants Of the poultry yard dc
| not make tractable steeds, and the fun
rested in the efforts Of each driver 70 cover
the course In the quickest time and so win
the prize. In each race the drivers were
young women who held the geese in har-
nesses Of ribbons and had lively time 10
urge along their entries In the way they
should 60, A variant Is 10 have races OF
rabbits, tortoises, dogs, cats or whatever
may be available In the way OF pet stock In
the place Of the geese.
Something that Is genuine novelty Is
10 be tried at the gymkhana and race meet
ing Of the Watching Hunt Of Plainfeld In
| June. II l. a 'skurry race as the club
men have christened IT, for hounds, and has
| never been tried before as far as can be
learned. A course will be laid over a stretch
OF country by dragging a scent, as in drag
| hunting and the run throughout will be
in sight Of the grand stand. There will he
two or three prizes and the race will be open
| tfsFaTN hHF ~
club. The dogs will wear collars Of diff
ferent colors and the contest is expected
! TO bring out an exciting race. The proposed
race suggests the field trials OF bloodhounds,
and while II should be Of interest a. new
feature the contest will not he gynl hama
in the strict sense, "a the human Interest
il lacking. Racing dogs save when they
are in harness. In the same way Is not a
true Rymkhana act.
one OF the most enjoyable Of the true
gymkhana is the nightgown race, or, as
| il il usually called on the programme, the
Saturday TO Monday race. The Course
will be down the field 90 turning posts-a
post for each competitor-and back TO the
starting line. which is the usual course In
pymkhana races. To have longer races
might take the contestants out Of sight
OF the cl b stand and the onlookers might
lose some OF the fun.
Fancy that Saturday 20 Monday
event has been announced. Three or -four
! riders come 10 the post and receive fOund
OF applause as a welcome. Each carries
In whatever manner he may please, a suit
case and umbrella, both closed, and he
must have a lighted cigarette in his mouth
At tho word the riders 60 skurrying down
TO the posts, and as the Ponie. wheel around
II each rider Is OF and with OBTAINING hand
on the reins Of his mount. However MIN
BILE In carrying out what Is next on the
cards, the rider must hang on to his nag
or all IA up.
A nightgo Is 10 be taken from the suit
case and put on, the suit case closed, the
umbrella opened and the course retraced
with the umbrella held over the head and
the rider smoking his cigarette. This Is a
calm statement OF the facts that account for
the frenzied actions Of the men In their
efforts TO 60 through the stunts in the
quickest time. Night gowns wave like
hags, suit cases are slapped around like
trunks by a baggage smasher and the
ponies shy and sometimes step through an
umbrela-all these and a hundred yaria-
tons at lightning speed are timed 10y the
laughter, cheers and handkerchief waving
OF the grand stand crowd, and the men
lump about in such excitement that, a.
happened at least once this winter con-
testant may swallow his cigarette. The
quickest 10 make ready turns, with lead
OF a couple Of seconds, to jump on his
pony, which promptly jumps back and
tries to get away from the queer looking
| apparition that his rider has been trans