Mounted games at A&P
Mounted Games are coming to the Matamata Spring Carnival A&P Show for the first time on Sunday, October 7.
With the lead-up to the Mounted Games World Championships, which are being held in New Zealand, Hannah Burrows will be at the show displaying her skills to potential participants.
Anybody who would like to try Mounted Games is welcome to have a go either at the Matamata A & P Show which is held on Sunday, October 7, or if they want more details, to go to New Zealand Mounted Games Association’s website.
The association has a Facebook page or it can be found at a site called showground.co.nz.
Mounted Games has often been described as ‘‘a decathlon on horseback’’ as riders have to do different things each race, vaulting on and off their mounts at high speeds, often picking things up off the ground while on their horses.
Riders require a high degree of athletic ability, good riding skills, hand-to-eye co-ordination, general determination to see things through to the end no matter what, and a positive competitive spirit which nevertheless requires an ability to work together with other riders and to be willing to help each other.
Mounted Games are a series of fun fast races, exciting for participants and spectators alike, as the spectator doesn’t have to be an equestrian to recognise that a rider just made a mistake but can fix it as fast as possible and still (maybe) win that race.
Races aren’t timed – first one over the line wins – so the sport is very easy for everyone to follow and enjoy.
Riders can play as individuals, with a pair or in teams of 4 or 5 riders, with about 20 different games for each category.
Games can be played by riders of all ages. All the rules and guidelines can be found at mounted-games.org and there are charts there which would help someone keen to investigate what type and weight of pony would suit them.