National Mounted Games and How to Become an International Rider

National Mounted Games and How to Become an International Rider

Within the Pony Club Association of Victoria there are two streams of games riding. One is known as National Mounted Games and the other is State Games.

National Mounted Games is a format that allows riders to train and compete at club, state, national and international level.

State Games is a format that allows rider to train and compete at club, zone and state level.

The riding skills used in National Mounted Games and State Games are similar and many Pony Club members participate in both formats throughout the year.

This article will concentrate on National Mounted Games and the steps required for a rider to become a member of the Australia International Mounted Games team i.e. an International Rider.

The Australia International Mounted Games is made up of five (5) riders, one (1) reserve rider, a Coach and a Chaperone (Team Manager) who is selected from the various state pony club associations. The riders must be aged 15 years and under as at 1st January in the year of the competition. The International Mounted Games tour usually occurs in the August / September each year and is hosted by the national pony club association in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom or United States of America. In 2011 the host country will be the United States of America.

Riders interested in representing their country as a member of the Australian International Mounted Games team will need to prepare, train and plan over a number of years due to the nature of the skills required, the eligibility criteria and selection processes.

Step 1 – Become a member of the PCAV National Mounted Games Junior Squad

In January each year PCAV holds a Skills Training Clinic and a State Squad selection weekend.

The aim of the Skills Clinic is to provide riders with instruction, skills development and knowledge of the games played in the National Mounted Games format. After completing the skills clinic the riders can try out for State Junior Squad Selection by riding off with other interested riders in front of the selection panel. The selectors will score the riders skills and horsemanship and the twelve (12) top scoring riders 15 years and under as at 1st January in the year of the clinic will form the National Mounted Games State Junior Squad.

Step 2 – PCAV National Mounted Games Junior Squad Training

The PCAV State Junior Squad has a Coach and a Chaperone (Team Manager) who conduct a series of training sessions with the squad members over several months.

The aim of the squad training is to further develop physical fitness, riding skills, games skills, familiarity with different equipment types, communication and team work. The squad training will also introduce riders to new games as there are over 35 different games that are recognised within the National Mounted Games format.

Step 3 – PCAV National Mounted Games Junior Team Selection

The twelve (12) riders in the PCAV State Junior Squad will ride off in a selection trial in front of the panel of selectors so that a team of six (6) riders (fiver riders and a one reserve) is selected. Note: all riders selected to the PCAV State Junior Team must hold a C certificate.

Squad riders seeking Team selection will be scored by the selection panel on games skills (dunking, vaulting, hand offs, pick up, put down, correcting errors), team work, and horsemanship. The selection panel consolidate the individual selector scores and the six (6) top scoring riders become the State Junior Team. The riders who are placed lower than sixth are not selected and have completed their training for the year.

Step 4 – PCAV National Mounted Games Junior Team Training

The PCAV State Junior Team train on a fortnightly basis to prepare for the National Mounted Games competition. The competition is hosted by one of the state pony club associations each year. In 2011 the host state will be Victoria.

The PCAV State Junior Team training sessions focus on further skills development, tactics, physical fitness, communication, team work and horsemanship (very important as the host state will provide a pool of ponies to be ridden at the competition). The Team will practice the nominated games that will be played at the national competition.

Step 5 – Compete in the Pony Club Australian National Mounted Games Junior Championship

The PCAV State Junior Team will travel to the host state and will be on tour for a period of approximately 5 days. The team travels with the coach and chaperone. The national competition is usually held in between July and October each year.

The national competition is well attended with teams representing Qld, NSW, Tas, Vic, SA, WA and NT in both the Junior and Senior sections.

Teams will ride twenty one (21) games split across seven (7) sets. For the first set five ponies will be balloted to a lane for the team to use. At the completion of each set the riders will swap lanes and ride the ponies in the in the new lane. At the completion of the competition all teams will have ridden all ponies.

Step 6 – PCAV Calls for Expressions of Interest in the International Rider Program

PCAV calls for expressions of interest from eligible riders who would like to be nominated to attend the Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games selection trial (International Rider Program).

The eligibility criteria for attending the Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games selection trial is:

·  The rider must be aged 15 years and under as at 1st January in the year of the International competition

·  The rider must have competed at national level

·  The rider needs to be able to meet the costs associated with the International tour

·  The rider need to be able to satisfy the time requirements of the international tours, approximately 3 – 4 weeks away from home

PCAV reviews the expressions of interest received in the International Rider program and selects a maximum of two riders to attend the Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games selection trial.

Step 7 – Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games Team Selection

The PCAV riders selected to attend the Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games selection trial will travel to the host state with the PCAV nominated a state selector. The selection trial is usually held in February / March of the year of the international competition.

State nominated riders from Qld, NSW, Tas, Vic, SA, WA and NT attend the selection trial which is hosted by one of the state associations each year. The selection trial is usually held over two days.

The riders will be required to:

·  Ride twenty one (21) of the International Mounted Games on balloted ponies which are swapped so that all riders get to ride all ponies

·  Introduce themselves and provide some background on who they are and where they come from at a diner

·  Display behaviour and ambassadorial qualities that would be expected of a team member representing their country

The riders are scored by a selection panel made up of a selector from each participating state and a delegate from Pony Club Australia. The selection panel have an excellent understanding of (Inter)National Mounted games and are frequently state coaches, state chaperones or chairs of state selection panels. At the completion of the ridden section of the selection process the selection panel compare notes and agree the composition of team.

The Australian International Mounted Games team for the year is announced to all candidates at the selection clinic, there are five (5) team members and one (1) reserve member announced.

Step 8 – Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games Team Training Camp

Prior to the International Mounted Games Team Training Camp the team members’ work with the Coach, Chaperone and Pony Club Australia to complete the uniform orders, travel arrangements, competition fees and other requirements.

The Australian International Mounted Games team attend a training camp for approximately 4 days where team work, riding skills and etiquette training are undertaken.

Step 8 – Pony Club Australia International Mounted Games Tour & Championship

The Australian International Mounted Games team depart for the host country.

The tour is approximately 20 days including travel. The teams from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States of America meet in the host country where they undertake a cultural exchange and demonstration programs whilst competing in mixed teams. The teams are accommodated via billets with host families and participate in a program organise by the host country culminating in the International Mounted Games Championship.

The International Riders return to their own country and home towns, where they share the International Rider experience of the International Mounted Games exchange.

In summary it takes many years of training and dedication to the National Mounted Games format to be able to compete at National and International level.

PCAV runs the National Mounted Games State Squad program to help riders with an interest in (Inter)National Mounted Games. State squad operate in three capability groups known as Development, Junior and Senior Squads.

Why not enter the PCAV National Mounted Games Skill Clinic and State Squad Selection in January and see if you have what it take to be a National or International Rider?

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29/11/2011