MOUNTED GAMES

Text | Skye Littlefield

Mounted Games are an equestrian sport requiring exceptional horsemanship and skill, where you’ll compete in a range of games, including agility, banga-balloon, and speed weavers.

History

The Mounted Games were developed in the 1950s when Prince Philip had the idea for a show that people could enter even if they did not have expensive ponies. You can participate on a mount of 15hh or smaller, so the Games are perfect if you have a pony.

The Mounted Games today

While the games were developed in England, they quickly became popular throughout the world, and there are currently 24 countries forming the International Mounted Games Association, including South Africa. If you’ve ever ridden in a gymkhana, then you’ve probably played a few mounted games. Every year a different member country hosts the World Team Championships of mounted games, where riders flock to participate from all over the world. The open winners were team France this year, while England, Ireland, and Wales have also had some fantastic wins. You can find and watch the World Team Championships on YouTube.

An example game

One of the most exciting Mounted Games played is Sword. In this game you carry a sword in one hand while controlling your horse with the other. You need to pick up five rings from the top of five poles in a line, with your sword. The catch here is that you have to do this as quickly as possible and cross the finish line with your sword and rings in hand.

Get in touch

Contact the Mounted Games Association of South Africa if you would like to get involved in this exciting equestrian sport.