Mounted Games | Pony Club Victoria

What is Mounted Games?

Mounted Games is an exciting Pony Club discipline that teaches riders essential skills, combining accuracy, teamwork and horsemanship with fun! Games allows riders to develop confidence, balance, coordination and control through a variety of mounted challenges.

Events include relay races with bending poles, flag races, mug races and more. Riders compete in teams, learning to improve their horsemanship whilst enjoying the excitement and camaraderie of team competition.

Games is a highly adaptive discipline, and is suitable for riders and horses of all levels. The equipment is easily accessible for Clubs and riders, allowing everyone to get involved and join in on the fun.

Skills you’ll learn

Mounted Games training develops key skills that are valuable across all equestrian disciplines.

Best of all, these skills are learned while having fun with friends, making Mounted Games a great choice for every rider!

Balance and Coordination

Precision Control and Agility

Mounting and Vaulting

Confidence and Quick Decision Making

Teamwork and Sportsmanship

Fitness and Strength for Riders and Horses

Equipment Handling

Safe Riding at Pace

Enrichment and Variety for Horses

Competition

Riders compete in teams, with flexible age mixes. Individual games, such as bending, mug, flag, and ball & bucket, are run as relays or timed challenges. Teams select any 6 games per event, maintain rider order once started, and aim for clean runs with no fouling.

Events range from club rallies and zone competitions through to the annual Kay Irving Games, Flat & Musical Ride State Championships and qualifiers for Pony Club Australia National Championships. Victoria’s top teams are represented nationally through Team Vic squads.

Progression

Games has no formal grading system — it’s team-based and open to all levels. Progression happens naturally through skill-building and competition experience.

Start with Games activities at club rallies
Step up to zone interclub competitions
Compete at state championships
Work towards national and international representation through Team Vic Mounted Games Squad selection — with annual skills clinics held throughout the year.

All activities follow Pony Club Australia Syllabus principles, with a focus on safety, fun, and progressive development for riders of all ages.

Mounted Games Rules

Games follow the Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules (updated periodically) and PCV-specific guidelines. Key emphases include lane discipline, no fouling, and prompt replacement of knocked items.
For full details:

Check the Rules Hub (includes Bylaws and discipline amendments).
Refer to the latest PCV Mounted Games rules (amendments effective from dates like 1 March 2023 onward; check for 2025/2026 updates).
National and state events also reference PCA guidelines for teams and equipment.

Mounted Games Resources

Mounted Games Equipment List

Mounted Games Score Sheet

Prince Philip Mounted Games Nationals Pathway

FAQs

Standard Pony Club gear applies, with focus on safe, secure saddlery (snaffle bits common). Body protectors recommended for fast activities — refer to current PCA National Gear Rules.

Clubs form teams at rallies; zone competitions lead to state championships. Top performers may be selected for Team Vic squads via clinics.

Absolutely! It's one of the most fun and accessible disciplines — no prior experience needed, just enthusiasm and a suitable pony.

Check the PCV events calendar on ponyclubvic.org.au, including clinics, zone comps, and state championships.