Games

Fun, fast, exciting and the only true team discipline in which the NZPCA is involved in. Team Mounted Games were introduced at a national level in 1998, shortly after the very successful Golden Games were held to celebrate fifty years of Pony Club in New Zealand.

Team Mounted Games Championships are held in six zones throughout New Zealand. Branch teams of four or five riders compete at area trials in order to be selected for the zone finals. Each area may send four or five teams to the zone finals, which are hosted, by the areas in the zone on a rotational basis.

The New Zealand Horse and Pony Magazine sponsor the rosettes for the zone finals and have done so since 1998. No rider goes home without a rosette and the Horse and Pony Magazine also feature action photos of each final in the Magazine.

Games reinforce the riding skills taught at pony club in a relaxed and less formal situation. Games are action packed, fun and exhilarating and riders don't realise that their riding skills and confidence are improving. This all leads to new levels of incentive, excitement and competition.

Why play games?

Games are an activity to be enjoyed by pony club members of all levels riding all types of mounts.
Games teach balance, control and confidence.
Games teach cooperation and sportsmanship via team play.
Games develop responsibility in safety and respect of the rules, animals, team members, and coaches.
Games help to teach an unruly pony to become obedient and responsive.
Games can restore rider confidence if they have been injured or over faced.
Games prepare riders for the other riding disciplines.
Games are riding for fun!

Parents play an active role in Team Mounted Games. As spectators they enjoy the excitement and fun, and can identify with the benefits of play. Parents are the first to volunteer for the many roles involved running a competition whether it is at branch, area or zone level. They make the equipment, organise teams and spend many voluntary hours because Games make riding fun.