The world of Mounted Games

THE Irish mounted games team of Jake O'Connor, Mark Devitt, Aidan Hanlon, Tony Whooley and Donelle O'Leary returned home earlier this week - silver medals in hand - from the Mounted Games World Team Championships, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Irish mounted games riders are some of the best in the world and are fantastic ambassadors for Irish equestrianism. However, as a sport, mounted games is one that is not widely recognised. I spoke to Jake O'Connor to find out why mounted games is his discipline of choice.

A TRUE TEST

Mounted games is a branch of equestrian sport in which 31 different games are played by people of all ages, on ponies up to a height of 15hh. The games are a true test of horsemanship, skill and speed. The ponies have to be agile, obedient and, above all brave, to face the wide range of equipment used in the games.

These would include popping balloons, flags and jousts. The sport has gained in popularity in recent years and the International Mounted Games Association now has members in 22 countries on five continents.

TEAM SPIRIT

Mounted games riders not only need to have impeccable riding skills, they also need to have accurate hand-to-eye coordination, determination, perseverance, quick reactions and a competitive team spirit.

These are all qualities Jake feels he developed during his time competing as a member of the Kildare Hunt pony club. When Jake wasn't playing pony club games, he represented his club up to intermediate level in eventing, winning the Connolly’s Red Mills intermediate eventing league. Jake also competed on the Kildare pure dressage team.

THE PONIES

The games ponies are usually a cross between breeds such as the Connemara, Welsh, thoroughbred, Arab and quarter horse, but any pony under the height restriction is eligible to compete.

A really good pony needs to be strong, agile and obedient, capable of withstanding strong tests of athletic ability. Jake O’Connor commented that “the best mounted games ponies are patient and responsive to the aids, mainly the rider’s seat, as quite often the rider is carrying equipment."

INTEGRITY

Integrity is central to the sport of mounted games. International competitions are governed by stringent rules and the Mounted Games Association of Ireland (MGAI) is now affiliated with Horse Sport Ireland.

Basic snaffles are the only type of bit allowed in competition, which indicates that the ponies competing have to be obedient and well trained.

Mounted games is one of the few equestrian disciplines that often sees horses competing into their old age. One such Irish pony, named Hammer, aged 22, competed just last year on the open world team that took the reserve champion title. Hammer is going just as well as he did when he won the All-Ireland Pony Club Games Championship title back in 2006 and has no intention of retiring.

Web: www.mgaireland.com