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Mounted Games
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Mounted Games were first
developed in India and were played by adults. They were known as
"Gymkhana" games. The most popular was tent pegging which was a
popular pastime among the British Army and to this day they still use it in
demonstrations, although the Army now use horses rather than camels and mules.
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When the army returned to Britain they brought the
idea of the games back with them. The games proved so popular that they still
continue to this day.
When talking of Mounted Games most people think
of Pony Club and the Prince Philip Cup a major competition involving riders
under the age of 15 battling it out over a series of heats to eventually take a
place at Wembley and compete for the most wanted cup of all. The cup was first
presented in the 1957 by HRH Prince Philip to promote sport among youngsters.
Mounted Games grew from Pony Club Games, but there
is a now definite distinction between the two, with different games and
different rules.
Originally there was an upper age limit of 18
years for Mounted Games competitors, but this has now been abolished and riders
of all ages can enjoy the sport.
The governing body of the sport is the
International Mounted Games Committee. In Britain the sport is represented by
the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain and similar organisations exist
in every participating country. Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great
Britain, Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden and USA are all equally
represented on the Committee. Each of these countries are eligible to compete
in International Mounted Games competitions. However, from 2000, England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will form their own teams for
international competitions.
With special thanks to
(all photographs copyright of the Pony
Express)
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