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Mounted Games - April 2007

Southdown West has for many years had a lively and active Prince Philip Cup section. As with many disciplines, interest in certain activities changes as members grow or leave, and new members join. Mounted Games at SDHW, whilst very popular with our neighbouring Branches, now needs more members to take part. We do have a level of interest (unfortunately below what we have had in past years), and these riders need others alongside them to make training worthwhile.

Mounted Games are, as the name suggests, games on horseback. In simple terms they can be described as gymkhana ‘team’ games and include old favourites such as bending, flag and mug and newer, more obscure ones such as tack shop, beanbag and the Pony Club Pole.

Perhaps one thing to dispel - if you have seen the Horse of the Year Show, and the Prince Philip Cup Competition on television, with leggy teenagers on tiny ponies doing things at impossible speeds, and think there is no way your little 11 Hand pony on a lead rein with your 5 year old can do this - think again!!!! It all starts off very slowly and carefully, even on the lead rein, and only ever proceeds as far as a child or pony's capability, under careful teaching. Many young riders lack confidence to start show jumping and cross country, or are maybe too young to consider these activities. Mounted Games can be tackled though, with Mum or Dad in close attendance, and is a sure way to improve balance, riding skills and teach your pony and child to have confidence around others, whilst still having fun.

‘Prince Philip introduced the concept in 1957 when he donated a cup for a team competition requiring courage, determination and all round riding 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 among the future generation a greater interest in riding as a sport and as a recreation. The competition was designed to be competed for by ‘ordinary children on ordinary ponies’.

The finals of the Prince Philip Cup are held at The Horse of the Year Show in October, when the six best teams in the country compete for the cup. Qualifying rounds are held at an ‘Area’ (local) competition in the spring after which the highest placed three or four teams are invited to compete at a ‘Zone’ (regional) competition in July. The winning team at this competition is invited to compete at the Horse of the Year Show.

Southdown West has qualified for the finals on four occasions since 1978. Our current trainers rode at the HOYS in 1990 and 1992 and some of our members’ parents rode there in 1978!

In January/February we hold open sessions to encourage members ‘to have a go’, and also hold sessions throughout the year to teach some of the techniques. All SDHW members (who are under 15yrs on Jan 1st) are always welcome to come and see us at any of these sessions. We try and cater for all standards, and have, in the past, regularly trained members as young as four or five! In the past, during the months February to July we have entered friendly competitions around the region, and often run our own. Unfortunately, though, during the past two years we have not fielded any teams because not enough members have been interested. Obviously anyone who is keen on competing needs to be committed to the discipline during the season, but being a member of a team is not mandatory.

‘Prince Philip Cup’ is a true team discipline and a great camaraderie develops among our members during the season. Often lifelong friends are made during a member’s ‘PPC’ years.

We hope to hold ‘mounted games days’ during each holiday so if you think this discipline might be for you do contact our current organisers for a chat. Better still, though, book in for one of these days and come to see for yourself what it is all about. We look forward to hearing from you.