All posts tagged mgaa

Being on a Team is Awesome

Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography 2009

I mention my mounted games team, Old School, a lot on this blog.  My Old School teammates are a major part of my life and I consider each one of them to be a special friend and part of my family.

Competition calls for high adrenaline and brings out all sorts of emotions including both fear and aggression.  Which means teammates learn about each other on an emotional level, and how to influence each other for the best.  The bond a close team develops is unique and extraordinary.

In a world where a rider works to bond with a horse to form a partner team, teaming up with other riders in the same way is not the norm.   Very few equestrian sports have a place for teams, and in the ones that do, a team competes independently.  Each teammate performances on their own and their score is combined with other team riders’ independent performances for a total score.

Mounted games is unique, requiring riders to work like a team in a more traditional sense.  Riders coordinate to select an order of rider and pony, to come out with the fastest race completion.  Riders hand batons and flags from one to the next, requiring the selection of ponies and riders that match up the best at the highest speed.  Deciding where to stick the steady and the speedy in race orders or who handles the start and the drag position pressure the best becomes essential to a cohesive and competitive team.  A teammate may navigate a race leading another teammate’s pony, or holding a rope linking one rider to another.

Blue Ridge Games September 2008
Linda on Bailey and Carol Ann on Zeke
Carol Ann’s very first time playing games!

A strong team learns each other’s physical and emotional weaknesses, how far to push each other to achieve a top performance, and what type of support each other needs.  Does a teammate that is messing up do better if they can sit out of a few races and collect their self?  Or does this time out make them insecure and ensure they fall apart?  Does a teammate ride better if you yell encouragements, or does hearing their name make them feel too much pressure?  If you instruct a teammate to ease up because they have the lead, will slowing down mess up their timing or will they over estimate your signal and slow down too much?

Krista on Osh Kosh and Carol Ann on Zeke
Mid-Atlantic #2 June 2009

Having a strong team bond can really improve a team’s performance, and give them the added edge they need to take it up a notch.  It is a special emotional state that not many equestrians get to share in with other equestrians, and its one of the things that makes mounted games such a special sport.

Guest Teammate Lauren on Niki and Kim on Jerico
Mid-Atlantic #2 2010
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

I have had team Old School as a central part of my life for four years.  We have ridden together through those years, with pony changes, guest teammates and an upgrade in our team gear.  We have traveled to at least eight different states to compete against an array of different teams.  We have had body parts banged up and broken both on and off the field.  And we have stood by each other through it all with high fives and smiles on our faces.

Krista and Osh Kosh
Mid-Atlantic #3 2009
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

When I reflect that it’s been four years, I think “really, only four years?  No way, it’s got to be more than that?”

Being part of a team is awesome!

Old School’s first competition
Carol Ann and Zeke, Krista and Osh Kosh, Linda and Ace, Guest Rider Cayla and Niki
Mid-Atlantic #1 2009
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

Monumental Mall Madness (on the DC Mall) ~ June 2009
Guest Rider Lindsey on Rose, Carol Ann on Zeke, Krista on Osh Kosh, Linda on CC, Guest Rider Michelle on Tease
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

Mid-Atlantic #4 November 2009
Krista on Maya, Carol Ann on Zeke, Kim on Jerico, Linda on Blue
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

Mid-Atlantic #1 2010
Guest Rider Lisa, Krista and Maya, Kim and Jerico, Guest Rider Tommy and Ace, Linda and Blue
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

MGAA Nationals 2010 – New Jersey July
Linda and Blue, Kim and Jerico, Guest Rider Genevieve and Pepper, Carol Ann and Zeke

Mid-Atlantic #2 June 2012
Kim and Gwen, Linda and Blue, Carol Ann and Zeke, Krista and Simon, Guest Rider Zoe and Cheyanne
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

Mid-Atlantic #3 August 2012
Linda and Blue, Kim and Gwen, Krista and Simon, Carol Ann and Zeke
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Mid-Atlantic #5 October 2012
Kim and Gwen, Carol Ann and Zeke, Linda and Blue, Krista and Simon
Photo: Genevieve of Equistar Photography

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by riderofchaos on October 17, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on October 17, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/10/17/being-on-a-team-is-awesome/

MGAA Mid-Atlantic Games #5

Tuesday ~ October 16, 2012

This past weekend my team, Old School, attended the Mid-Atlantic #5 competition at the PG Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  It was the last competition in the series, and also the last big competition of the year. 

Team Old School: Kim, Krista, Carol Ann, Linda
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

I arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp.  Linda and Kim were not too far behind me and the three of us got in a nice little hack that evening.  Simon got out a few leaps and I got to loosen up my muscles.   I have said it in past posts, and it still stands true, the Friday evening hack really makes a difference for me and for Simon.  I am always happy when I am able to work it in. 

Simon chilling in his portable paddock

After the hack we grabbed a bite to eat and then socialized with our friends Nancy and Kelsey.  Friday night the temperatures dropped into the 30s and it was cold.  Daisy and I snuggled into our usual bed with the addition of an electric throw blanket.  It made all the difference.  I had to turn it off during the night because we were too hot. 

Picking up in the Bottle Shuttle Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Saturday morning came on with nice crisp air and Linda whipped up a warm breakfast for everyone before we got mounted up for our first session of 12 races.  As usual we started with the Speed Weavers and 3 Mug Races which are not Simon’s strongest but the rest of the team made up our slow poke time.  Flag races are always good for me and we had a nice team run through 2 Flag and Twitter.  I was a bit apprehensive for the Bottle Race since I had a terrible practice with it on Thursday, effectively coming out of the practice with 0 to me and about a dozen to the bottle.  But we pulled it off smoothly.  And continued to ride as a clean and competent team through the rest of the session with Founders, Joust, Pony Pairs, Association, Stepping Stones, Ball & Cone and 9 Ring races.  We left the ring in the lead with 38 points and Time Flies holding second with 33 points followed by Red Solo Cup and Mischief Managed. 

Avery from team Mischief Managed
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

We spent some time assistant referring and working ring crew and then returned for our second session of the day.  We started this set of 12 races off with Flag Fliers and 4 flag, two excellent races for Simon and I, and my team kept up their momentum as well.  I started us off in Tool Box and although the race was clean, I really need to work on my toolbox placement (mental note). We kept it clean with Balloon, Litter and Hug A Mug Races.  But two teammates had some difficulty in Mug Shuffle (way to coordinate it into the same race!).  We tried switching up and putting me in 4th position for Sock Race, which proved to be a bad decision as I missed my double dunk, effectively killing us in that race.  We held strong in Pony Express, Quoits, and had a fantastic run through Windsor Castle Race.  But we ended with a sloppy Sword Race and a ring being knocked to the ground by a teammate.  Not a bad session all in all, but not as clean as our first session, and Time Flies got their act together and snatched up some points.  We came out of that session in second behind Time Flies by one point with something like 69 and 68 points.  Red Solo Cup was standing somewhere around the 55 point with Mischief Managed quite a ways behind perhaps in the 30-40 range.    

Masters Riders in the Flag Fliers Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

After the riding finished on Saturday we had our annual MGAA meeting and announced the election results.  It was a nice opportunity to meet up with some fellow members and have an official catch up discussion.  We followed the meeting up with a fantastic potluck dinner back at camp.  Linda prepared some pot roast and Joy prepared some chili and the rest of us supplied some sides.  We stuffed our faces and then ate mummy cupcakes by Linda, and chocolate cake by Carol Ann.  Annie pulled out a Jiffy Pop, which was semi successful, with tasty popcorn, but ended up on fire. 

 We spent the rest of the evening roasting marshmallows, which Carol Ann takes the blue ribbon at.  She even roasted me two to perfection, which I promptly made into a chocolate gram cracker smores.  Yum.

Carol Ann the marshmallow roasting master

Jiffy Pop with Annie and Linda

Saturday night was not nearly as cold, and we woke up ready to hit the field for the final session consisting of 15 races. 

Linda’s Mummy Cupcakes – yummmmm

Generally I start off my first session riding at my worst and improve as the sessions stack up.  One teammate seems to work on the complete opposite and starts off clean but ends with some bumbles.  We should try and get on the same page with that, because it would really help our points totals!  The other two teammates generally ride pretty evenly across the board, with very few mistakes spread out pretty evenly.

Kim successfully got this sock dunked in the Sock Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

I feel I pretty much held true to my typical and rode a clean, although not very speedy final.  My teammate opposite seemed to perform a lot cleaner than usual for most of the session, which is fantastic.  One teammate was having an off day, which left us with a few more mistakes than usual and was very frustrating for her.  We have all been there.  It sucks. 

Masters Rider Kelsey placing the ball in the Windsor Castle Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

We Started off with Simon’s favorite (not), Speed Weavers,  with a teammate taking pole.  Bottle and Twitter were fine, but in Carton, there was lapse in thought and we accidentally sent rider 4 out too early and had to recall her, which is an elimination.  I’ll take the blame on that one, as I was telling her to move up.  But we stayed strong through most of the session, playing Sock, 4 Flag, Joust, Hula Hoop, 3 Mug, Ring the Cone, Pony Pairs, 3 Pot Flag, Tool Box, Windsor Castle and finishing with Flag Fliers.  Time Flies kept  up the year’s tradition and crushed us for the blue.  We ended up in second, with 113 points followed by Red Solo Cup with 100 points and Mischief Managed in purple bringing up the tail. 

Linda and Blue
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography 

Mischief Managed had an excellent showing for their first competition as a team, and are going to be a rival next year when they get the bugs worked out.  I think I speak for the entire division of adult riders when I say that we are all happy to have them join us.  As always everyone in our division had a great time, lots of comradely, with hugs and waves at the closing.  I know at one point I got Simon to pick up some hoof and move out a bit on the way home, and it seemed like every team was cheering him on.

Mischief Managed rider Devorah dunking her sock
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

I love riding in this division, and although MA#5 was fun, it will be a long winter until we get to meet up on the field again for Mid-Atlantic #1 and the start of the 2013 season.

team Old School: Kim, Carol Ann, Linda, Krista
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Masters Rider Annie and Bella
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Pulling a flag in Flag Fliers Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Masters Rider Claudia vaulting on her pony Galaxy
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Simon is such a good pony
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

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by riderofchaos on October 16, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on October 16, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/10/16/mgaa-mid-atlantic-games-5/

Joust Race

Monday ~ October 15, 2012

Joust race is one of the favorites of most games riders.  It is generally played at full speed.  The joust rod is heavy and awkward and handing it over at full speed can be challenging.  The joust board is a specialized piece of equipment that is relatively expensive in comparison to all other pieces of games equipment and not everyone has one to practice with at home.  The targets make a loud clanking noise when they are hit down and some ponies find it a bit scary.

In this photo, Simon and I are in the second rider position. He is pushing hoof up the field and I have just successfully speared my target down.
I love Simon’s face in this photo. It matches how I think he feels playing this race, like a bad ass. I love my pony.
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography
Mid-Atlantic #5 October 14th, 2012

In the joust race two riders on each team start at either end of the field.  Rider one starts with a joust rod in hand, and gallops up the field, spearing down one target, and then continues to the end of the field.  Rider one then hands the target over to rider two, who returns up the field, also knocking one target down.  Rider three and four continue the pattern.

Here is the official MGAA instructions for the Joust Race from the 2012 Rulebook followed by the diagram of set up.

Click on the link below to see a youtube video of my team playing Joust Race last June at the Mid-Atlantic #2 competition in Doswell, Virginia.  This was Simon’s second competition.

MA #2 2011, Joust – Old School

And here are a few more Joust Race photos.

Masters Rider at Mid-Atlantic #4 2012
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Teammate Carol Ann at Mid-Atlantic #5 2012
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Intermediate Rider at Mid-Atlantic #5
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

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by riderofchaos on October 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on October 15, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/10/15/joust-race/

MGAA Mid-Atlantic Mounted Games Series #4

This past weekend was the forth installment of the Mounted Games Across America (MGAA) Mid-Atlantic Series.  It was a two day competition held in Centre Hall, PA at the Grange Fairgrounds near State College.

I drove up Friday and arrived in the mid afternoon.  I had plenty of time to set up my stall and camp area and then I took Simon out for a nice hack.  It was very enjoyable to be joined by some of my favorite non team members, Nancy, Kim and Kelsey.  This early arrival hack really does a lot for both me and Simon.  It loosens us both up and gets some of the gusto out.

This weekend we were lucky enough to have Genevieve ride with us.  She usually riders on a different team in a different division but stepped up to ride with us when we sadly lost teammate Zoe to a job (she is a pony rider at Charlestown Race Track).  Gen fit in great, and was an amazing asset to our team.  She usually takes photos of us, but friend, Annie, stepped in for her and did a great job.

Me and Gen hanging in the hold area.

Normally our division rides first in the schedule, but this weekend the schedule was flip flopped and we rode last.  So we got to sleep in a bit, take our time feeding and cleaning our ponies up, and working our assistant referee and ring crew shifts.  We rode our first session at lunch time, which seemed really weird.  I was so off schedule that I ended up tacking up way too early.

Simon not wanting to canter in 3 mug race.

But even with all the warm up Simon was still a little awkward in the first session, which is typical of him.  Not bad, just not as dependable and consistent as I would like.  I was way off though.  I made several sloppy mistakes and cost my team some points.  I knocked my bottle off the barrel in bottle shuttle race, I took more than one attempt to scoop my litter in the litter race and I dropped my tool box off the barrel in toolbox race.  My three mug was abysmal too, but that blame goes on Simon who didn’t want to canter!

Successfully dropping off a carton in the Association Race.

I was extremely discouraged leaving the ring.  Linda tried to reassure me and explained her theory that I am so busy actively pushing Simon on, that I am not able to concentrate on my skills.

A clean drop of the sock into the bucket in the Socks and Bucket race.

Our second session on Saturday ran into the dark, under the lights.  I kept Linda’s suggestion in mind and stopped putting as much effort into pushing Simon on when I had a skill to perform.  Either that worked out, or I was just back ‘on’ because my session went a lot better.  I did have some issues seeing at the beginning of the session because it was dusk but it got better as full dark came on.  In particular I had trouble seeing the flag cone hole, but I managed.

Some of the friendly faces enjoying the camp fire.

We finished late.  Linda and Joy prepared a quick but fantastic meal and then we all enjoyed some company around the fire.  There was a little smores roasting, lots of laughing and a game of clue.

a game of Clue

We woke up to a light rain, and packed up what we could before getting ready for our work shifts.  We were all assigned to the Masters A final, which was, as always, an amazing display of rider and pony skill. I am continually awed to see these teams go head to head.  They are so fast and so fearless.

Linda and Kim riding in the near dark of the second session

We went in the ring for our final and played a hard game.  We had some hand off issues and there were a few oops errors across the team, but all in all it was a fantastic final session for team Old School.  I was very happy with my performance and Simon was there for me.  The other teams were also fantastic and the competition was fun and challenging.  In the end Time Flies got us by 10 points to take the blue.  We got second, ten points ahead of Red Solo Cup and the Black and Blue Crew held 4th.

Team Old School
Linda, Genevieve, Krista, Kim and Carol Ann

Genevieve and Annie of Equistar Photography took all of the riding photos in this blog post.  Thank you guys for letting me use your fantastic work!

Its a lot harder to pick up and put down one of these brush boxes while moving at speed than you might think.
Masters rider: Jenn

Look, Simon has all his feet off the ground. He must have broke into an actual gallop! Go Simon!

Masters rider
He accidentally pulled his whole bridle off in the middle of a race while fumbling a little during a moving dismount. He got it back on and continued on incredibly quick.

Genevieve, Kim and Linda waiting for the next race.

Preparing to drop our litter off in the Litter Race

Masters rider dropping her carton off in the bucket. I love this photo, and I think the pony is pretty cool too.

Kim smiling as always, and Matt from team, Red Solo cup, preparing for the start of the Joust Race.

Masters rider; Annie making a clean dunk in the Socks and Bucket Race.

Masters rider: Alicia
I love the combination of her and her pony. They look like a fantastic match and are really enjoyable to watch.

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by riderofchaos on October 2, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on October 2, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/10/02/mgaa-mid-atlantic-mounted-games-series-4/

2012 Shendoah Fair Demo

Tina on her excited pony
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

This past Saturday, September the 1st, Blue Ridge Games hosted a demo competition as part of the Shenandoah County Fair.  We  had 12 riders take part as the equestrian entertainment on the last day of the fair. 

 
We ran two lengthy heats, of three lanes, in pairs format, in a fun demo scrimmage competition.  We did not keep score and allowed each pair to get in a good practice while riding in a competition format.  It was a lot of fun and we were privileged to have some spectators that showed interest and cheered riders on. 
 
They were doing an auction, just out of sight at the far end of the ring, which was quite scary to some of the ponies, and Simon was no exception.  I think he was particularly itchy that day, and was shedding his short summer coat pretty heavily.  He leaped along, rather than canter or gallop, and acted rather irritated in the same fashion he did when I clipped his hair off last winter.  A bit of a challenge between his irritation and all the things to look at, we still had a good time and a good practice. 

Simon and I in Two Flag Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 Simon and I were paired with our usual teammate, Kim and her pony Gwen, and as always, Kim and I had a great time riding together.  Kim is laid back and very go with the flow.  She is excessively supportive, and is full of positive encouraging enthusiasm for everyone.  She is a joy to ride with and I am always happy to be her partner.  Kim rides with a smile on her face which is usually contagious.

Carol Ann on her pony Finn in Bottle Shuttle Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 Kim and I rode in the same heat as some of our new games friends, Tina, Tory and Mason, who are still solidifying all the rules and races, and this was their first competition.  They were fun to ride with and I think we all had a great time.  Linda Refereed the heat and I really liked her starts and control of the field. 

Simon and I in Litter Race
He is not paying attention at all!
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 The other heat consisted of our usual teammates, Linda and Carol Ann, along with a former teammate of mine from years ago when I rode on team Fast Forward, Izzy, and friends Nina, Gen (who is the photographer of a lot of the amazing photos on this website) and Tommy.  Their heat was much faster paced and really fun for me to referee. 

Kim smiling as usual, on Gwen
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 After the riding was complete, everyone helped pack up the equipment and selected a fun prize.  A few of us took a hike through the fairgrounds, taking a moment to watch some of the rodeo, checked out some of the exhibits and share a cinnamon funnel cake.  Which consequently, is way better than a regular funnel cake.  Totally recommended. 

 

Mason, showing some hoof on his pony!
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

A good afternoon, with games, friends and funnel cake!  What more could you ask for? 
 

Tori dunking her Litter with Izzy in the background
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 

Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

I love the mountains in the background
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

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by riderofchaos on September 5, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on September 5, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/09/05/2012-shendoah-fair-demo/

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