The focus of Mounted Games is to work together as a team, learn about horses, grow as people, and have a blast doing it.
Follow this link to the Mounted Games Handbook.
Check out these videos of outstanding Games competition. The first video is from a New Zealand competition held in 2013. This second video is from the European Championships, so the rules and games are slightly different from USPC, but you get the idea. Also, don't be intimidated, the riders and their ponies have practiced really hard to get to this level of competition.
Goals of the USPC Mounted Games
To provide instructors and Pony Club Members a relaxed and fun method to teach and learn the basic skills of horsemanship.
To teach safe riding skills and proper horse and pony care.
To provide and teach games that will enhance riding skills, physical coordination, and self confidence.
To promote ethical behavior, discipline, good sportsmanship, and teamwork.
To assist our Members in advancing through the ratings and increasing their expertise for participation in the other traditional disciplines as well.
To teach safe riding skills and proper horse and pony care.
To provide and teach games that will enhance riding skills, physical coordination, and self confidence.
To promote ethical behavior, discipline, good sportsmanship, and teamwork.
To assist our Members in advancing through the ratings and increasing their expertise for participation in the other traditional disciplines as well.
Specific Rules for Rider, Mount, and Tack
Eligibility
Rider and Horse Turn-Out
Approved Tack
- Walk/Trot - All members of the team must be 9 years old or less.
- Junior - All members of the team must be 10-12 years old.
- Senior - All members of the team must be 10-15 years old.
- Advanced - All members of the team must be 13-18 years old.
Rider and Horse Turn-Out
- Ponies must be serviceably sound and well shod, or with their feet properly dressed and trimmed. Ponies must be groomed and well trimmed and they must be familiar with the Games being played. Manes and tails must not be braided.
- Jodhpurs and jodhpur boots, with garters or elastic boot straps, are recommended for Games; however, breeches and tall boots are acceptable. Belts are optional with jodhpurs or breeches. Shirts must be all white and have long or short sleeves and a collar. Footwear must be black or brown and shall be as authorized by the USPC Horse Management Handbook. Only ASTM/SEI approved and certified headgear may be used, with the chinstrap harness snugly in place while mounted and throughout the progress of a game. Should the chinstrap become unfastened or headgear fall off, it must be correctly replaced before the rider may proceed. White helmets must be marked by colored tape, to distinguish them from the white cover, which will be worn by the last rider only. It shall be each region’s responsibility to provide their team(s) with solid white helmet covers for Championships. Whips and spurs are not allowed. Medical armbands will be worn as specified by USPC rules governing all competitions.
- Each team will wear it's own Pinnies over their shirt during the rally.
Approved Tack
- Girths must have two buckles at each end. Each buckle must be fastened at all times to the first and third billets on each side or the first and second billets on each side.
- Boots or bandages may only be used when accompanied by a veterinarian’s certificate specifying the necessity of their use.
- Any kind of properly fitted plain cavesson may be worn. Dropped nosebands are permitted, including, but not limited to, figure 8’s, flashes, etc., and may be worn if required only with snaffle bits.
- Only standing martingales made of leather may be used, and they must include a rubber keeper to prevent sliding up and down.
- Overchecks (lines that attach to the bit and run through the browband to the front Dees of the saddle which prevent the pony from putting its head down) are prohibited except in the Walk-Trot Division.
- No more than one single rein may be used on a bridle. It must be attached either to the snaffle ring or to a converter connecting the snaffle and curb rings. Reins must have a breakaway feature, either leather around the bit or at the buckle (if they have a buckle) or “L” studs at the bit. Nylon reins that buckle at the bit are not acceptable.
- Hunter hackamores and jumper hackamores with shanks of no more than 6 inches are permitted.
- Only the following bits are allowed, and may be made of metal, more than one metal, rubber, mylar, or “happy mouth.”
- Snaffles must be smooth and un-jointed, or smooth with no more than two joints. If a full cheek snaffle is used, bit keepers must also be used.
- Kimberwicks may be used with a smooth mouth only. Jointed kimberwicks are not permitted. Kimberwicks with ports are permitted if the port is no more than medium. The rein must be fastened to the bit ring, and may not be fastened to either the snaffle or curb hole in the bit ring.
- Pelhams may be used with a straight mouth. Jointed pelhams are not permitted. Pelhams with ports are not permitted. With a pelham bit, if a curb chain is used, a lip strap must also be used.