THE GIRLS PLAYED AN ABSOLUTE BLINDER TAKING THIRD PLACE IN THE ‘PRINCE PHILIP CUP’
Mounted Games is a team sport that combines a love of ponies and friends with various races. Teams of four or five riders and ponies take part in a series of exciting and exhilarating races that involve a mix of turns, handovers, skill, vaulting and galloping against other teams.
Often run on grass or all-weather surfaces, Mounted Games is an adaptation of Gymkhana and is great fun for you, your pony and your team. You can develop skills such as accuracy, agility, concentration, speed, hand to eye coordination, team work and sportsmanship whilst having lots of fun playing some thrilling games.
Important amendments to specific race rules following the National and Regional study days can be found by clicking here.
There is no need to purchase expensive equipment. When you are riding at home, you can use everyday objects to practice different techniques that you need for the races. For example, you can set up five buckets and practise bending in and out of them.
You can have lessons with a trainer who can teach you and your pony how to perfect your skills.
Lessons that you have at rallies and friendlies can also give you the opportunity to improve your riding and pony’s games training.
Every Area also has a Mounted Games Area Coordinator who is a great contact to reach out to if you are wanting to get started in Mounted Games and don’t know how to
How Do I Progress Further?
There are many opportunities for you to take part in Mounted Games. You can join a team with your Branch or Centre and compete at local friendly competitions. For the more competitive Members, there are qualifying competitions which start around April time, these are called Area Competitions.
For the more advanced teams, there is also the opportunity to take part in Windsor representing their country, or qualify for the Prince Phillip Cup held at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). For older Members, there is also the chance to be nominated for the Great British team to take part in the International Mounted Games Exchange. The fun never stops!
The Mounted Games Championships form part of The Pony Club Championships and feature some of the most exciting action of any Pony Club sport! Teams battle it out across multiple days in Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Pairs classes – and with the final two qualifying spots for the Prince Philip Cup on the line for the seniors, there’s a lot at stake!
For The JCB Pony Club Championship 2024 results, pleaseclick here.
First held at Horse of the Year Show in 1957, the Prince Philip Cup is a world-famous Mounted Games competition featuring fast-paced action, as six Pony Club Branches and Centres compete for the coveted trophy. The four winning Senior Teams from Zones, and the winners and runners up from Championships qualify, making it one of the most hotly-contested events in The Pony Club calendar. Competing in fronts of thousands of spectators at Horse Of the Year Show (HOYS) is an experience not to be forgotten!
Held annually at Royal Windsor Horse Show (RWHS), the DAKS Home International Mounted Games Championships is an invitational competition with Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland competing for the prestigious title. DCs can nominate members who hold their C test or above for their country’s Trials. Performance at each Trial determines the country’s Team who will compete at RWHS.
The opportunity to compete at a world-famous event like Royal Windsor will be one of the highlights of a Pony Club member’s career!
The Mounted Games International Exchange provides Pony Club members from across the world the chance to visit other countries and take part in cultural experiences, social activities and International Mounted Games competitions.
The host Nation rotates each year. In 2023, Teams travelled to Australia for the exchange, and in 2024 will be travelling to Canada