Antonia Thompson 07903 110641/ ant_cronin@hotmail.com is TEAM MANAGER for all Mounted Games
MOUNTED GAMES 1st PRACTICE OF 2018 SUNDAY 4TH FEBRUARY
You don’t have to have done mounted games previously to join in the practices nor do you need to come to them all. We welcome lead rein up to experienced riders. Ponies do need to be 14’2 or below. Mounted Games age groups: Under 15 on 1st Jan 2015 Seniors and Under 11 on the 1st Jan 2015 Juniors and Minis/Junior Novice.
The object of mounted games is to ‘encourage a higher standard of riding throughout The Pony Club and to stimulate among the future generation a greater interest in riding as a sport and as a recreation’. It is designed for teams of ‘ordinary children on ordinary ponies’. At all levels children learn team work, courage, determination and all-round riding ability. They improve their balance and confidence without even realise they are learning. Most of all we have a lot of fun.
If you want to see more about what we do please visit the Mounted Games Reports page.
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Surrey Union Mounted Games Report 2015
We had lots of members taking part in Mounted Games last season many of them new to games which was lovely to see. There were 5 friendly competitions and we had 3 teams at each competition. At the Areas we turned out an A and a B team for the first time ever and the Juniors qualified for the Zone finals an amazing achievement.
The Senior team of Clarissa Burnell Price, Grace Thompson, Sophie Ludlow, Lucia Mayhew Alice Slade and Megan Finch were very consistent and were so supportive of each other. They had their best result at Old Surrey and Burstow where they came 5th out of 17 teams. I am sad to be saying goodbye to Megan and Clarissa as next season they will be too old for MGs. They have been in the games teams since I started training them 6 years ago with Liz Hale. They were also members of the last SU Junior team before this year to qualify for the Zone finals.
The Junior Novice team of Emily Banfield, Holly Jones, Sadie Wallis, Sinead Paddy, Caitlin Paddy, Phoebe Kenward Ruby and Lois O’Connell had a fantastic season the highlight being 2nd place at Bodiam. This team also went on to form a Junior team at the Areas where they came a hard fought 9th. For a team where some of them started the season on the lead rein this was an amazing achievement.
The Junior team had the greatest season. The team of Olivia and Elena Jones, Lucy Greenwood, Bonnie Thompson and Darcey Foss won 3 competitions and came second at the Areas qualifying for the Zones finals – only the second time in Surrey Union’s history. They then came 7th at the Zones only 1 point away from a Championship qualifying place. What a brilliant season they had they were all amazing.
Thanks again to all parents for all your endless support and assistance and also Diana Heald, Sarah O Connell and Nicki Burnell Price for lending your lovely ponies to the teams.
If anyone is interested in coming to a practice please get in touch or see website for details. Games gives the kids lots of confidence and teaches them the value of team work and great resilience whilst having a lot of fun. Best of all they love it.
Antonia Thompson
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PRINCE PHILIP CUP GAMES (SENIORS) – EXAMPLES OF GAMES
Poles will be erected from 7 to 9 m apart. On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a baton, rides down and back through the bending poles. On returning to and crossing the Start line he hands the baton to Number Two. Numbers Two, Three and Four will similarly ride down and back through the bending poles in succession. The winning team will be the one whose Number Four is first past the Finish line, mounted, carrying the baton. Knocked down poles must be Replaced by the rider concerned. Line Stewards will not signal unless the bending pole is broken or lying flat on the ground.
2. FIVE MUG
A line of five bending poles for each team will be put up 7 to 9m apart. No.1 pole is the nearest to the start/finish line. Upturned litter bins (or tables) will be placed 3m behind the changeover line, one for each team. All four riders form up behind the start/finish line. Each team will have five mugs, four of these will be placed on the team’s bin and one will be carried by Number One at the start. On the signal to start, Number One rides to any one of his team’s poles (except number one pole) and places his mug inverted on the top. He then rides to his team’s bin, picks up another mug and returns to hand it to Number Two behind the start/finish line. Number Two, Three and Four will complete the course in the same way in succession, with Number Four placing the last mug on pole Number 1 on his way back to the finish line.The riders may ride straight and need not bend through the poles. Any mugs knocked off the bin must always be replaced INVERTED.
3. BALL & CONE
There will be two cones for each team placed level with the 1st and 4th bending poles. A tennis ball is placed on the far cone. Numbers One and Three will be mounted behind the Start line and Numbers Two and Four behind the Changeover line. Number one carries a tennis ball, and on the signal to start, rides to the first cone and places his ball on it. He then rides to the second cone, collects the ball and hands it to Number Two. Numbers Two, Three and Four complete the course in a similar manner. The winning team is the one whose Number Four is first over the Finish line carrying the ball. In the case of cones knocked over or a ball being dropped, General Rules apply.
4. PYRAMID
An upturned bin/table will be placed on the Centre Line and another will be placed 3m behind the Changeover line. On the latter table will be placed four plastic cartons (un-stacked) On the signal to start, Number One rides to the table/bin behind the Changeover line and collects any carton which is then placed on the Centre line bin. Number One then returns to cross the Start/Finish line. Number two rides to the table behind the Changeover line, collects a carton and stacks this upon the previous carton placed on the Centre line bin. Numbers Three and Four complete in a similar manner and the winning team is the one whose Number Four is first over the Finish line with all four cartons stacked on the Centre line bin. Should any rider wish to adjust the pyramid of cartons, this may only be done using the carton held in his hand before placing that carton on the top of the stack. If a table or bin is knocked over, or the pyramid falls, the rider concerned may dismount to replace them. On the top table or bin the cartons must be placed side by side, at the centre table or bin the cartons must be stacked upright. Dropped equipment – see General Rules
5. TYRE
A motorcycle tyre will be placed on the centre line for each team. Numbers One and Two will form up behind the Start Line, with Number Four behind the 6m line. Number Three will be behind the Changeover line. On the signal to start, Numbers One and Two ride to the tyre where Number One dismounts, whilst Number Two holds his pony, he gets through the tyre and remounts. Both riders then continue to the Changeover line where Number One will wait. Numbers Two and Three then ride to the tyre where Number Two dismounts, gets through the tyre and remounts. Both riders then continue to the start line, and Number Two leaves the race. Number Three joins up with Number Four and they complete the course, with Number Three going through the tyre, after which they cross the Changeover line. Number Three drops out and Numbers Four and One complete the course, with Number Four going through the tyre. The winning team will be the one whose final pair (Numbers One and Four) cross the Finish Line first, mounted on their ponies. At each changeover, the next pony to go must remain behind the line until both incoming rider have crossed it. The rider who is to lead the pony may take hold of the rein behind the Start Line, as they go down the arena or at the tyre. The pony is to be led by the rein nearer the ridden pony and not by the bit ring or any other part of the bridle. The tyre may not be touched until the pony has been correctly handed over. Competitors are not allowed to run with the tyre.
6. FARMERS MARKET
An upturned litter bin will be placed level with the first bending pole. 3m behind the Changeover line each team will have four items (1 string sausages, 1 potato, 1 egg box , 1 bottle milk) placed within a tyre on the ground. All four riders line up behind the Start/Finish Line. On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a grooming tray, rides & places the tray on the bin. He rides to the far end, dismounts, picks up any item from within the tyre, remounts, returns to place the item in the tray and then rides across the Finish Line.Number Two rides towards the tyre, dismounts, collects any item, remounts, returns to place the item in the tray and finishes. Number Three repeats the actions of Number Two. Number Four repeats the actions of Numbers Two and Three but picks up and carries the tray containing the “shopping” over the line to finish. The milk bottle must be placed upright in the tray, but does not need to remain so once the tray has been collected by Number Four. The sausages must not hang out over the edge of the tray. Items dislodged outside the tyre must be replaced by the rider concerned.
7. OLD SOCK
3m behind the Changeover line each team will have four socks sewn into balls about the size of a fist, within a ring marked on the ground (for visibility). Across the centre will be a row of buckets, one for each team. All four riders form up behind the Start/Finish Line On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a sock, rides to his team’s bucket and drops the sock into it. He rides to the far end, dismounts, picks up a sock, remounts and returns to the start to hand it to Number Two. Numbers Two, Three and Four will complete the course in the same way in succession, with Number Four dropping the last sock into the bucket on his way back.The winning team will be the one whose Number Four is first over the Finish line. Socks knocked out of the circle should be replaced by the Line Steward concerned
8. FIVE FLAG
A flag holder will be placed 3m behind the changeover line and another on the centre line. Each team will have five flags on canes. Four of these will be in the team’s holder on the centre line and one will be carried by Number One at the start. On the signal to start Number One rides to the other end of the arena and places the flag he is carrying in the flag holder. He rides back, picks a flag out of his team’s holder on the centre line and hands this flag to Number Two behind the Start line. Numbers Two, Three and Four will complete the course in the same way up and down the arena in succession so that, at the end, the team will have placed four flags in the holder at the far end of the arena and Number Four finishes over the Start line mounted and carrying the fifth flag. Should the flag holder be knocked over, the rider must put it up again, replacing any flags there may have been in it. Should a rider take more than one flag from the holder, he must replace the surplus. He may dismount to correct mistakes. If the flag should come off the cane, the stick may be used to complete the race. On windy days rubber bands can be used to keep the flags furled and prevent them blowing together.
9. BOTTLE
There will be two tables or upturned litter bins for each team, one on the centre line and the other three metres beyond the Changeover line. On this table there will be an upright plastic bottle, weighted with sand. On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a similar bottle, rides to the centre and places it upright on the table. He then rides to the far end picks up the bottle from the table there and returns to hand it to Number Two behind the Start line. Rider Number Two rides to the table at the far end on which he placesthe bottle upright. He then returns to the Centre line to pick up the bottle from the table and hand it to Number Three behind the Start line. Number Three will act in a similar manner to Number One, returning to hand the bottle from the far end to Number Four. Number Four will act in a similar manner to Number Two. The winning team will be the one whose Number Four crosses the Finish line first, mounted and carrying the bottle. Any bottle knocked over must be replaced UPRIGHT.
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EXAMPLES OF GAMES FOR JUNIOR MOUNTED GAMES COMPETITIONS
1. BENDING
Lines of five bending poles will be erected from 7 to 9 m apart. On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a baton, rides down and back through the bending poles. On returning to and crossing the Start line he hands the baton to Number Two. Numbers Two, Three and Four will similarly ride down and back through the bending poles in succession. The winning team will be the one whose Number Four is first past the Finish line, mounted, and carrying the baton. Knocked down poles must be replaced by the rider concerned. Line Stewards will not signal unless the bending pole is broken or lying flat on the ground.
2. FOUR FLAG
There will be three flag holders for each team. One placed level with the 1st pole, one on the centre line, and one level with the 5th pole. 4 flags will be placed in the centre cone. On the signal to start Number One rides to the centre cone, picks up a flag, rides to the top cone and places the flag in it. He then rides back to cross the start/finish line. The Number Two rides to the centre cone picks out a flag, rides back to the 1st cone and places the flag in it, he then rides across the start/finish line. The Number Three repeats as Number One. The Number Four repeats as Number Two. The winning team is the one whose Number Four is first over the Finish line with two flags in each of the top and bottom cones, leaving the centre cone empty. Holders knocked over must be set up immediately by the rider concerned. Should a flag come off the cane, the cane alone may be used. On windy days rubber bands may be used to keep the flag furled.
3. JUNIOR BOTTLE
There will be two tables or upturned litter bins for each team one on the centre line and the other three metres beyond the Changeover line. On this table there will be a plastic bottle, weighted with sand. On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a similar bottle, rides to the centre and places it upright on the table. He then rides to the far end picks up the bottle from the table there and returns to hand it to Number Two behind the Start line. Rider Number Two rides to the table at the far end and places the bottle upright on it. He then returns to the Centre line to pick up the bottle from the table and hand it to Number Three behind the Start line. Number Three will act in a similar manner to Number One, returning to hand the bottle from the far end to Number Four.Number Four will act in a similar manner to Number Two. The winning team will be the one whose Number Four crosses the Finish line first, mounted and carrying the bottle. Any bottle knocked over must be replaced UPRIGHT.
4. JUNIOR QUOITS AND CONE
On a bin/table 3m behind the changeover line will be placed four un-stacked rubber quoits. On the centre line will be placed a cone. On the signal to start Number One rides to the bin and collects a quoit. He returns – places the quoit over the cone and crosses the finish line. Number Two, Three and Four repeat the process until all the quoits are over the cone and Number Four has crossed the finish line. Quoits may be slid up the arm. (Dropped Articles – see rules). Each quoit must be over the cone and not hanging on the lip.
5. STEPPING STONES
Six Stepping Stones for each team will be placed across the centre line about 30cm apart and in a straight line up and down the arena between the lines of bending poles. Numbers One and Three will be mounted at the Start/Finish end of the arena and Numbers Two and Four at the Changeover end. On the signal to start Number One rides to the stepping-stones, dismounts and, leading his pony steps on each stone and then the ground before remounting to cross the line. Number Two, Three and Four will similarly complete the course up or down the arena in succession. Should any pony or rider knock over a stepping-stone, or should a rider step on the ground crossing the stones, he must set up the fallen stones and in both cases return to cross all the stones again – even if it is the last one which has fallen. Riders must lead the pony by the rein nearer to them.
6. TWO MUG
On a line of four bending poles, a mug is placed on each of the 1st and 3rd poles. Numbers One and Three form up on the start line, Numbers Two and Four on the changeover line. On the signal to start Number One moves the mug from pole 1 to pole 2, the mug from pole 3 to pole 4 and then rides across the changeover line. Number Two moves the mugs from pole 4 to 3, pole 2 to pole 1 and then crosses the start/finish line. Number Three repeats the actions of Number One and Number Four repeats the actions of Number Two.
7. TYRE
A motorcycle tyre will be placed on the centre line for each team. Numbers One and Two will form up behind the Start Line, with Number Four behind the 6m line. Number Three will be behind the Changeover line. On the signal to start, Numbers One and Two ride to the tyre where Number One dismounts, hands his pony to Number Two, gets through the tyre and remounts. Both riders then continue to the Changeover line where Number One will wait. Numbers Two and Three then ride to the tyre where Number Two dismounts, hands his pony to Number Three, gets through the tyre and remounts. Both riders then continue to the start line, and Number Two leaves the race. Number Three joins up with Number Four and they complete the course, with Number Three going through the tyre, after which they cross the Changeover line. Number Three drops out and Numbers Four and One complete the course, with Number Four going through the tyre. The winning team will be the one whose final pair (Numbers One and Four) cross the Finish Line first, mounted on their ponies. At each changeover, the next pony to go must remain behind the line until both incoming riders have crossed it. The rider who is to lead the pony may take hold of the rein behind the Start Line or as they go down the arena. The pony is to be led by the rein nearer the ridden pony and not by the bit ring or any other part of the bridle. The tyre may not be touched until the pony has been correctly handed over. Competitors are not allowed to run with the tyre.
TWO FLAG
There will be two flag holders for each team, placed level with the 1st and 4th bending poles. A flag will be placed in the holder nearer the Changeover end. Numbers One and Three will be at the Start/Finish end with Numbers Two and Four at the Changeover end. On the signal to start, Number One, carrying a flag, rides to the first holder and places the flag in it. He then rides to the second holder, takes the flag out and hands it to Number Two behind the Changeover line. Numbers Two, Three and Four will repeat the race in the same way up or down the arena. Holders knocked over must be set up immediately by the rider concerned. Should a flag come off the cane, the cane alone may be used to complete the race. The winning team is the one whose Number Four is first over the Finish line carrying the flag.
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SOME TIPS!
It is worth reading the Mounted Games Rule Book which you can download from the PC website but some rules which have caught our teams out in the past are:
1. Do not cross the start line until the incoming rider has crossed over it
2. The hand, the reins or other article may not be used as a whip.
3. Do watch the line judges’ flags and ask if you are not sure what you have done wrong
4. Do not let go of your pony as this could result in elimination
5. At the change over, should the article be dropped, only the incoming rider may pick it up and hand it to the outgoing rider. He may dismount to do this or remain mounted.
6. Should a rider drop an article he has to carry, he may dismount or remain mounted to pick it up by hand, after which he must remount to resume the event from where the article was dropped.
7. Should a rider drop an article as he puts it into or takes it out of a container(or places it on or takes it off a table, pole, etc.), he may dismount or remain mounted to pick it up. He may then place it where it has to be put whilst mounted/dismounted, after which he must remount to resume the event.
8. If any equipment becomes dislodged after the incoming rider has crossed the line, then the outgoing rider must correct it and then return to start their part in the race.
9. Should a rider knock over a container, table, pole, etc., mentioned in Rule he must immediately set it up again and replace all the articles that should be in or on it, including his own, even if this had not yet been put in or on it. He can dismount and do this by hand or remain mounted if he wishes. The penalty for infringement is elimination of the team from the event.
10. The last rider has to wear a white hatband or the team will be eliminated.