| Sandra,
I was a member of our Pony Club's (Woodland) Mounted Games team for
four years, until I grew too old. During this time I owned just the
one pony - an extremely fizzy wesh/fell pony who was absolutely first
class at mounted games (he had been used for the British team 3 times).
During our second season he started getting too excited, and backing
and rearing on the starting line, although once he got started he was
as quick as ever - probably the same problem that you seem to be
having.
We consulted our trainer, and worked long and hard on the start line
and handovers. We stood him on the start line for a long time in
training sessions, and after a while he got so bored that he would just
stand on a start line and almost fall asleep!! This did take a long
time, but it was well worth it, so persevere. As for the handovers, he
used to back off when another pony was coming racing towards me, so
first of all I just stayed on the ground holding his head while
different team members came racing up to and past me. Then I got back
in the saddle and the other members started coming in to me really
slowly. Walking and trotting at first. After a while this calm
approach really worked. After a few months Magic was back to his old
self - still very excited - but through this slow, steady training he
never again moved on the line.
Ask your daughter to sit really calmly and loosely in the saddle,
nothing excites a fizzy pony more than a 'tight' rider. If you have
the time, it will probably be worth following the steps that we
followed - it really worked!
Good luck - and stick at it, Mounted games are such fun - keep us
posted on how your daughter's team get on.
Sarah
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Hello Sarah,
Thanks for replying to my note. Your information will be most useful.
We are having a Rally next week to try to encourage other PC members to
come along. It is proving a bit difficult as there are many including
instructors who disagree with Games claiming it is not 'Proper' Riding.
Even at PC Camp just a couple of weeks ago, the fact that Josie does
games was blamed for him getting excited in the jumping arena, I
disagree, he loves jumping and as he is only five he has alot of
training and settling down to do.
I will print off your reply and show it to our novice team trainers and
start trying out your tips. Magic sounds very much like our pony and
hope like you the extra work will improve his performance. Where is
Magic now ? Do you still own a horse ?
Regards
Sandra
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| Sandra,
Sorry for the delay in replying - I have been away for a few days.
The first part of your note made me so angry
>>there are many including instructors who disagree with Games claiming
it is not 'Proper' Riding<<
I hoped that this attitude may have changed over the past few years -
but obviously not. Well, to prove them wrong... Myself and my
former games team mate event on a very regular basis at BHS Novice
level. We both think that the Games helped us no end in achieving
this. It was there that we learned how to ENJOY riding.
I think people have this view of it not being 'proper' riding as they
think that all kids who participate in mounted games race around all
over the place, flapping their legs and hauling on their pony's mouths.
This may be true in some cases, but you just have to go to any local
show to see this happening in all rings, NOT just in the games section.
I shouldn't worry too much about Josie's pony getting excited at the
prospect of jumping. Five is still quite young, so he will get used
to it. Although, every time Magic used to see a jump he used to
get extremely hyper - and that never changed!! Mind you, he won
hundreds of cups and rosettes in jumping, so it can't be all bad!
I don't think that the games have anything to do with your pony
getting excited at the prospect of jumping, all ponies get excited
when they enter a ring full of jumps, the Pony Club instructors
should know this.
Magic sadly passed away in 1991. He was diagnosed as having stomach
cancer, and I had to make the hardest decision of my life - either
keep him and every couple of months or so he would suffer with a really
painful stomach, or have him put down. I decided to have him put down
as I couldn't bear to see him in pain. It still hurts to think about
it now. But, as I mentioned earlier, I event and I have a gorgeous
16.2 thoroughbred/hunter type gelding who is an absolute star.
Let me know how your Rally goes - I hope you managed to encourage some
others to take up mounted games.
Cheers
Sarah
PS Vaulting tip - if any of your team have problems with their vault,
put the pony on a shortish lunge rein and get it going at either a
fastish trot or a canter, and then get the child to try vaulting from
there. They don't have to worry about holding on to the reins and
steering at the same time, plus the fact that the pony 'pulls' you up.
I think it's the circular motion that just seems to pull you up. It's
great practice anyway!!
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