Jockey tag

Talk about equipment

Everyone should talk about the safety clothing you need for horse riding.
The three key pieces of equipment are:

Helmet: this stops you from hurting your head if you fall off, and protects you from overhanging branches while out riding.
Jodhpurs: these comfortable trousers are flexible, and are made to stop the seams rubbing the horse or your legs.
Riding boots: these stop your feet from slipping through the stirrups.

Play jockey tag

One person should volunteer to be the jockey. They should stand at one edge of the space, and everyone should stand near them.
The jockey should choose something you wear that is or isn’t needed for horse riding.
The jockey should say ‘I’m going horse riding and I’m wearing…’ and finish the sentence with their item.

For example, they might choose trainers (an item you don’t need) or a helmet (an item you do need).

If the jockey says an item that you don’t need for horse riding, it’s a false alarm. Everyone should stay still, and the jockey should name another item.
If the jockey says an item that you do need for horse riding, the game begins.
Everyone should scatter across the room, and the jockey should run after them.
If the jockey catches someone, they’re stuck. They should stand still with their arms out wide.
To free a stuck player, another player should run under their arms and tell them something they need to go horse riding.
Keep playing until everyone knows the three key pieces of equipment needed for horse riding.

You might want to stop after a while, and start the game again with a new jockey.

Reflection

This activity helped you develop skills. Is knowing how to keep yourself safe a skill? When else might you need to think about what you wear so you stay safe? Is listening carefully a skill? Was it tricky to stay focussed and know when to run and when it was a false alarm? When else do you need to pay close attention?

This activity also gave you a chance to be a team player. What would’ve happened to the people who became stuck if the others hadn’t helped them? What would’ve happened to the whole team if everyone just thought about themselves, instead of the team? When else might we need others to help when we get stuck? Was it tricky for the jockey, who didn’t have as much of a team to help them?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

When holding on to your teammates, don’t squeeze or hold on too tight. If you fall, let go of the people you are holding so they don’t fall over too.

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.