All posts tagged mounted games

MGAA Mid-Atlantic #1 ~ 2012

Team Old School
Zoe, Carol Ann, Linda, Krista, Kim
Photo: Genevieve Arens

 This past weekend was the big season opener for the east coast mounted games season. We kicked it off with the first edition of the MGAA Mid-Atlantic Series held at the Price George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Simon and I rode with our team, Old School, including usual team members; Linda, Kim and Carol Ann. We also asked our friend Zoe to join us for the weekend with her pony Cheyenne.

I started off the weekend with a lengthy hack around the grounds and then joined up with teammates and friends for a a nice little practice on Friday afternoon to help work out some of the silliness.

Photo: Genevieve Arens

Apparently it wasn’t enough because the first session on Saturday started out with Simon a little full of himself. This is typical of Simon, and something I just need to expect and work through until he grows out of it. He did a few little rears (I suspect his hooves are only going one or two feet off the ground) and some leaping starts and a few slow take offs when receiving hand offs. We also took out the end barrel in bottle shuttle, which I am blaming on Simon’s silliness and lack of focus. I managed to reset it relatively quickly without needing to dismount, and proceeded on. The rest of the session was pretty clean with very few mistakes team wide.

Photo: Genevieve Arens

Simon took a little lunch time nap in his portable corral while I took my turn as an assistant referee for the intermediate division.

Nap Time
Photo: Me

Photo: Genevieve Arens

We returned for the afternoon session with Simon in full effect. He moved out, he stopped, he turned, and I felt like we were a well matched pair with great communication and a worthy member of our team. I did miss a flag put in the 3 Pot Flag race. It was totally my fault and Simon was right there, ready to help me pull off a quick correction. Otherwise the session was pretty clean for Simon and I, with just a few other mistakes throughout the team.

Zoe lookin good in Navy and Yellow
Photo: Genevieve Arens

That night we had a fun potluck and social affair at our camp site. We got in lots of laughs and took down some good eats. We also took the moment to invite Zoe to be an official member of the team and she accepted! Yea!

Simon first off the Line
Photo: Ashley Desjardins

Zoe fits right in with the four of us and is such an upbeat, easy going person. She is fun and a real joy to have around. She is also a good rider and an asset to have in races. I am thrilled she accepted and is going to be sporting navy and yellow with us. So yea, Old School is now a 5 man team!

Hand off to Kim
Photo: Genevieve Arens

Sunday we woke up from a night of rain to a warm sunny morning. We hit the field feeling good and the team rode very well. Simon and I had a snafu in the Ball and Cone race, which is generally a pretty strong race for us. He is a true fossil pony, and will stand nicely for me to complete technical tasks like balancing tennis balls on the tops of cones. But Sunday, although he was stopping and standing, he kept turning to face the cone when I would lean over to place the ball, thereby putting it out of my reach. We were eventually successful, but it took a few attempts to reach the cone and ate up too much time. I was rather disappointed in this race, but overall, we had a very clean session with just a few mistakes team wide.

Simon waiting for the call to the start line
Photo: Ashley Desjardins

The 15 race session blew past in no time and we found ourselves in a solid second place at the end. The other teams were fantastic. Particularly our friendly favorites, Time Flies, who rock the pink and black gear. They are a fantastic well practiced team, who have a few members that can pull off vaults and reach items floating in buckets of water without dismounting. Two important skills our team very much lacks. Time Flies gives us a real challenge. They push us to try harder, practice more, and push for additional speed and accuracy. And the best part, they are fun and friendly and nothing but enjoyable to ride with. Which is common in the adult division where teams cheer each other on, compliment well pulled off skills and give occasional high fives amongst each other.

Team Time Flies
Photo: Ashley Desjardins

An excellent weekend, with lots of friends, fun, ponies and games. Old School grew in members, and together we have a real challenge to push for this season.

Simon and I got home late Sunday, but I decided not to take our customary Monday off, and we had a nice hack and got in a little technique practice for myself.

Moving into the changeover box for the start
Photo: Ashley Desjardins

In general I am seeing improvement in Simon.  After the first session I was very pleased with his starts, and noticed in some photos that he was out front of the other ponies quite often.  He also has picked up the pace since last year and made the end of the lane in line with the other ponies, and even ahead on some occasions.  His end turns have improved and he has not lost any of his excellent stopping or standing skills.  He has also improved slightly in bending poles, which is one of his worst races.  This weekend he did not drop his shoulder into any of the poles and he even had a lead change around one of them.

The next two weeks I will be going heavy practicing Ball and Cone, flag puts and turning around barrels.

With the first installment of the series behind us, we have four more to up our game and catch Time Flies.

Photo: Me

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by riderofchaos on May 1, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on May 1, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/05/01/mgaa-mid-atlantic-1-2012/

Simon Has Team Spirit! – 2012

When we were at the PA Expo they had one of those stands where they embroider halters with whatever you want and I wanted to get one for Simon.  But I was wishy washy on spending the money, since I already have a few halters that fit him.  But by the time I got home I had decided I should have gotten him one in our games team, Old School, colors. 

So, per a friend’s suggestion, I ordered one from Chick’s Saddlery online.  I got it in navy blue with gold overlay and had  ‘Old School’ embroidered on the nose and ‘Simon’ on the cheek.   

I think it looks pretty spiffy on him, although I wish I had ordered a size larger.  I ordered the size he was currently wearing, which had tons of room to spare, but apparently the sizing on the monogrammed halters was a little different.  It does fit him, but it’s a little more snug than I would like.  But unless I happen to get another pony named Simon that has a slightly smaller head, my current pony named Simon is just going to have to deal.

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by riderofchaos on March 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Pony Stuff, Reviews
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Posted by riderofchaos on March 28, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/03/28/simon-has-team-spirit/

Team Ponies

I just love this photo of teammate, Linda’s pony Blue and Simon in their matching team Old School bridles from Distance Depot.  This was taken at the end of the Blue Ridge Games Clinic and Practice on March 18th.  I sent it to Distance Depot to see if they want to use it.  I can’t imagine they would want to miss out on these two adorable ponies.  But maybe I am a little bias?

Thanks to the Aren’s family for taking the picture.

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by riderofchaos on March 26, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on March 26, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/03/26/team-ponies/

Finding a Good Team Fit – 2012

May 2010 - Linda and Krista (Tommy and Lisa in the background) - team Old School

Not many horse sports are team oriented, and of those that are, not many are as team extreme as mounted games. 

Mounted games is almost exclusively a team sport.  With the exception of a small amount of individual competitions, most work on a two person/pony pairing or a team of 4 or 5 riders and ponies.  Unlike in some team horse disaplines where a rider’s individual score is combined with his or her teammates’ scores for a placing, in mounted games, riders must work together to collect the points as one unit. 

Spring 2011 - Linda, Carol Ann, Krista

late 1980s - Frederick Pony Club Games Team
Krista, Margie, Mollie
Sarah and Jenny

Mounted games is set up in relay race fashion, with a whole team needing to complete a race for placement and subsequent points, teams must select an order of play that will best utilize each rider pony pair in the teams best interest.  Teams must communicate during races and instruct riders in a race of their standings and how to proceed.  And in some races, teammates must work together to complete a section of the race as a single unit. 

In some races riders may need to ride together holding a short length of rope between the two while navigating a course, or lead and hold one’s pony while the other completes a task.  Riders must also hand off objects from rider to rider, often at high speeds, so determining who’s pony may not get along with another’s is paramount. 

Around 2004 - My sister Kerri and I competing together

Some races require different riders to complete different tasks, and determining which rider and pony pair is best for each obstacle, can significantly determine the outcome of a race.  Some ponies may be slow but better suited for tasks like standing still for a rider to complete a technical task, where another team mount might not stand still, but might have a lot of speed and fast turns that are best utilized in covering distances. 

1993 - Krista and Mollie

1997 or 98 I think
Krista and Kennth
Canada

Some riders and ponies may have better starts and do well under the pressure of first position, while others get nervous in that situation.  Other riders may actually perform better when they are in a pinch, and are good at bringing up the tail in last position.  Some may do well regulating the need for speed and if they need to push or restrain when riding in the last position, depending on the other teams completion of a race. 

  Having a good mix of riders that fill in these positions best, and a good mix of ponies that include both steady and fast will help determine a team’s success.    Finding the right team can be challenging.  Not all riders want to be as dedicated or intense as others.  Some people tend to be less dependable or lose interest quicker than others.  Some people work better in a team environment than others and some people have personalities that tend to be controlling and independent while others are aloof or lack communication. 

1991 or 92 - Christine, Krista and Jenny
Meadowland, NJ

A successful team should have a mix of personalities that get along well, with some strong and some laid back, so the mix works together and doesn’t clash.  A successful team will also have riders that want to be as competitive or who are not worried about being competitive as each other.  Having one rider who doesn’t care how they do mixed in with three that are cut throat and looking to win, is not good for anyone involved. 

2003 or 2004
Krista and Kerri

Riders on a team also need to be of a similar level and experience when competing.  Having one teammate that is just learning to ride and is not confident to break out of the trot matched up with a team of riders that have been competing all their lives at top speeds will only discourage and frustrate everyone. 

I have been playing games for nearly 25 years and have been on an array of teams.  Some were good and some, not so much.  Some were competitive and some were just looking to have fun.  Some teams selected a list of competitions to take part in at the start of the year and were dedicated to those, and other teams were thrown together last minute.  But for the most part, I have always enjoyed being part of a team.  It gives you someone to share the experience with and creates a bond that is unique and special. 

Fall 2011 - Blue Ridge Games
Old School, Scramble, Aftershock

My current team, Old School, competes in the adult division.  This will be our forth year as a team.  We are a dedicated, enthusiastic, competitive team, that tends to lean towards the intense side.  We currently ride as a four rider/pony team, although we have had guest riders on occasion and probably will in the future.  Being a passionate team with several strong personalities, finding a permanent fifth rider could be considered a challenge.  But, of all the teams I have been a part of, Old School is by far, my favorite team.  I value my teammates who I consider among my short list of best friends.  We have bonded through our riding and I not only enjoy time in the saddle with each of them, but I also look forward to other activities and being a part of their non riding lives. 

Finding a team that really meshes well is difficult, but if it can be done, it is also one of the most rewarding relationships one can have.   

March 2012 - Krista and Kim - Having way too much fun!

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by riderofchaos on March 22, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on March 22, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/03/22/finding-a-good-team-fit/

Games Reins

There are a lot of reins available on the market;  leather, rope, cotton, nylon, rubber, BioThane, split, buckled, short and long.  Different riders prefer different styles and materials for different horses and different applications.

Mounted games is no exception and US riders tend to use a variety of reins, but there are certainly trends.  Some riders prefer nylon rope reins which come in tons of colors and styles and some prefer traditional leather.  But one of the most popular types are cotton gaming reins.  They are inexpensive, soft and wide and come in a variety of colors.  You can pick them up from Chicks Saddlery for $13 among many other places.

Using the tail to navigate between races

Another typical mounted games rider rein trend is to prefer shorter reins.  Sometimes reins are just short, perhaps 4 or 5 feet in length and often they are normal length reins that are knotted to create a shorter rein.  This allows the rider to grab the rein with one hand and easily have them collected for immediate navigation.

The knotted rein gives the advantage that the rein can be adjusted throughout the session from race to race making shorter and longer reins.  It also leaves a tail on the reins for a relaxed rein for between races.

Some riders do not like a knot but do like a short rein.  This is easy to accomplish with the flat cotton reins by cutting them to the desired length then fixing them back through the snap and securing them with electric tape, by sewing, duct tape, etc.

I have used both the knot and the short rein for mounted games depending on the pony I am riding.  Last year I rode Simon in a knotted rein so I could adjust the length throughout the session which was handy when he was still learning.  But I am currently moving to a shorter rein and this weekend I worked with two different lengths.

I decided to go with the shorter of the two lengths I tried, which are a little uncomfortable for riding on a loose rein between races and during warm up but are much easier for riding through the actual games.

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by riderofchaos on March 21, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Mounted Games
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Posted by riderofchaos on March 21, 2012

https://blueridgepony.com/2012/03/21/games-reins/

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