Saddle up for three-day mounted games championships

For the first time, the New Zealand Mounted Games Association individuals championship will be contested at the Warkworth Showgrounds, from Friday, March 14 to Sunday, March 16.

The games will also feature as part of the Warkworth A&P Show on Saturday, March 15.

Northland Mounted Games president Brenda Cross says the mounted games is a fast-paced equestrian discipline with riders showing off their skill, fitness and horsemanship.

“It’s a spectator sport, it really is. And often people like to pick their favourite rider and watch them as they progress through the competition,” she says.

“The individuals class is everyone for themselves, so it’s quite exciting.

“There’s eight ponies racing against each other, and at quite a clip. Basically any pony is suitable. We have all types of breeds, sizes and shapes competing.”

Cross says she’s hoping for 50 to 70 riders to take part across the five classes: under 12s, under 15s, under 18s, opens and veterans (35 and over).

“The open-level riders’ games are just action-packed. The under 18s are the same. Veteran riders have a really good competition as well. And the under 15s and under 12s, they’re pretty much your beginner classes, your up-and-coming new riders.”

For an event called the mounted games there seems to be quite a lot of dismounting involved, with the riders picking up objects such as flags or poles at speed, which “involves really good hand-eye coordination”.

Riders will often dismount while cantering or galloping, depending on their level or class.

“So as the pony is running, the rider lands on their right leg and they run with the horse and then they grab the rein and do whatever they’ve got to do before bolting back on,” Cross says.

“They need to have one hand on their horse at all times whether it’s the saddle or the reins, anywhere really, but they’ve got to have their hand touching the horse.”

Cross says there will be flag, pole and sword games as well as sock and bucket to test the riders’ skills.

“It’s pretty exciting for spectators, and can enjoyed by everyone, not just people with horsey knowledge.”