The Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games
The Pony Club Mounted Games is one of the most popular and enduring features of HOYS.
Six teams will, through immense skill and determination, have fought off over 250 other teams to qualify for HOYS. These teams, after months of practice and preparation, will fiercely compete for both the Prince Philip Cup.
A high degree of athletic ability, hand-to-eye coordination and a competitive spirit is needed, alongside the ability to work together with other riders and the willingness to help your team members.
Mounted Games, as the name suggests, are games on horseback, including old favourites such as bending, flag and mug and newer, more obscure ones such as tack shop, beanbag and the Pony Club Pole. The concept is to promote a team competition requiring courage, determination and all round ability on the part of the team member, and careful, systematic training of their ponies. Its object is to encourage a higher standard of riding throughout the Pony Club and to stimulate a greater interest in riding among the future generation. The competition was designed to produce a spectacular competition using 'ordinary children on ordinary ponies.'
The Prince Philip Cup was first introduced at the 1957 Horse of the Year Show as an enduring challenge trophy and has been an integral part of this world famous equestrian event ever since. The Pony Club Mounted Games was devised by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. He recommended to the HOYS Show Director, Col. Sir Mike Ansell, that a competition based on Cavalry techniques would be entertaining, visually engaging and enhance rider skills and teamwork.
Would you like to become a Member of the biggest equestrian youth organization in the world? Then why not join The Pony Club! If you own a pony you can become a Member of your nearest Pony Club Branch, but don’t worry if you don’t have your own pony, as you can still join through a Pony Club Centre. The Pony Club is a training organization where you can take part in rallies, train for Pony Club Tests and earn Achievement Badges. Pony Club is the only equestrian organisation to cover every discipline including Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Mounted Games, Pony Racing, Polo, Polocrosse, Tetrathlon and Endurance. Above all you can make friends and have fun!! Membership is open to boys and girls under 25 years of age. For more information visit the website today www.pcuk.org or call 024 7669 8300 |
 |
cheers and gasps from the crowds. The hugely entertaining high speed scurry racing, where pairs of ponies race around an obstacle course in which time and accuracy is of the essence, is a very popular element of the entertainment at the Show.
Our regular publication to keep you up to date with the latest news, events and offers.