TRAINING & PREPARING

If you’re just getting started with mounted games you’ll want to know how to train and prepare for your first competition.

On this page, we’ll cover everything from training tips for you and your mount, to making your own props and finding partners and teams for events.

JUMP TO SECTION

Pony Specifications

Ponies that compete with EMGC are typically 14.3hh or less. They are also brave, well-trained, and enjoy being around other ponies.

All breeds are welcome.
Ponies must be older than 4 years old to be eligible to compete.
Stallions are not allowed to be ridden in competition.
Your pony should wear english tack in accordance with the IMGA rulebook and additional allowed tack listed on the Resources page.

* If you would like to sign up with a horse taller than 14.3 hh or you do not have access to english tack, please use the contact page to let the organizers know.

Making Your Own Props

Many of the props used in competition can be DIY'd in order to practice at home. We have listed the best ways to achieve this below.

Association Containers = 5 tupperware containers of the same size, ½ full with sand.
Barrels = Garbage bins with flat bottoms
Bending poles = Western poles, or wooden dowels inside a pylon, or jump standards.
Bottles = Fill sports beverage bottles or tall round shampoo bottles ⅓ full with sand.
Buckets = Repurpose old buckets from your barn or buy new from most tack stores.
Flags = Wooden dowels with fabric flags.
Litter = Cut the end off an old shampoo or fly spray bottle.
Mugs = Plastic cups or camping mugs (avoid mugs with handles).
Pony Pairs Rope = rope about 18” in length.
Pylons/Cones = Can be found at most hardware stores. Cut down to make flag holders, or leave as is for races such as Ball & Cone.
Socks = Ball up and stitch a few old socks, or buy bean bags.
Tool Box = Tack box
Tennis balls = Can be found at most sports equipment stores/departments.

Training Your Pony

To prepare your mount for an EMGC event, there are a few skills that you may want to teach yourself and your mount. These skills include: effective halts, turning, S-bends, reaching, confidence around equipment, pass-offs and vaulting.

Halting

Good training in any other discipline should give your mount an effective halt. Here are a few tips that also may help:

Frequently add quick downward transitions to a halt in your rides. Practice halting from walk, trot and canter.
Focus on using your seat, soft contact and voice commands.
When halting at equipment, bring your mount to a stop on the left side of objects, so you can place something on the equipment with your right hand.
Train your pony to remain halted as you reach down to complete a task with the equipment.

Turning

Turning 180 degrees around equipment occurs in almost every race and is done most efficiently using an “outside-wide, inside-tight” strategy when you are first learning:

Outside-wide: as you approach the equipment for a right turn, aim to be on the far left side of the prop, leaving at least a half-horse length between your mount and the equipment. Vice versa for a left turn.
Take your pony slightly beyond the equipment before sitting deep, and giving a voice command that your horse can start associating with turning. Neck-reining can help cue the turn as well. Begin turning around the prop.
Inside-tight: once you start your turn, stay as close to the right side of the equipment as you can to finish on a straight line out of the turn rather than bulging out.
Start slow and work your way up! Most turns are to the right, but mastering a left turn is important too!
If the rider needs to place or pick up a prop around the turn, complete the “outside wide” section and focus on handling the prop once you are tight to the right side of the equipment, finishing the turn.

S-bends

These are used when placing a prop down on equipment while on your way up or down the field going straight. Your mount starts on the right side of the equipment and cuts in front of it to the left, which gives the rider an opportunity to place the prop down on the equipment, and then the pony carries on straight on the left side of the prop.

Ride towards the right side of the equipment.
Halt just before you reach the right side of the equipment.
After your pony halts, ask them to cut across the front of the equipment (training a turn on the haunches will help here).
Once you cut across the front of the equipment, ask for a right turn to clear the equipment and continue riding straight.
As your pony learns the movement, ask for a half-halt rather than a stop in front of the prop. Start slow and work your way up!

Desensitizing your pony:

Use your homemade props or objects around the barn to desensitize your pony.
While dismounted, gently move the props around their bodies including their legs, bellies and gently near their heads.
Once they are comfortable, progress to moving the props around them while mounted, and then while riding.
Using props that make noise such as metal mugs or squeaky toys will help the pony get used to equipment that is involved in mounted games.
Traveling off-property or changing the environment where they interact with the props is a great way to further build their confidence at a competition.

Reaching

Some races include tasks that require the rider to reach down while mounted to pick up a prop.

Have someone hold your pony while you reach down and pick up a prop off its equipment.
Once the pony is comfortable with the weight shift, complete the reach without assistance at the halt.
Begin reaching down while walking and trotting to get your pony used to the weight shift while moving and to help build trust and confidence.

Pass-offs

Most races have a pass-off unless it’s an Individuals competition!

Ask a friend to ride near you to ensure your pony and their pony will get along while conducting a pass-off.
Once comfortable, each pony and rider stands facing each other across the arena.
Begin riding towards each other with Rider 1 holding a prop in their right hand with their arm out straight and slightly to the right of their mount’s ears.
Rider 2 has their right arm out straight in the same way and is slightly out of the saddle preparing to grab the prop.
As the ponies pass each other, Rider 1 places the prop in Rider 2’s hand and follows through with their right arm to give a soft pass. Rider 2 also follows through and looks back as they grab the prop. Rider 2 continues straight with the prop.
Start slow and work your way up! Start with large props and work towards smaller ones.

Vaulting

Vaulting is an optional skill that riders can use in races that have a dismounting and mounting component, or if they make a mistake and want to get back on quickly. Instructions based on mounting on the left.

Swing Vault:
- While dismounted and halted, grab the mane and reins with your left hand, about halfway down the pony’s neck.
- Take one big step with your left leg and jump off it while swinging your right leg high over the saddle.
- Grab the pommel with your right hand to help pull your upper body up and into the saddle.
Running Vault:
- Have a person jog on the right side of the horse to keep them moving at a comfortable pace. We recommend starting at a controlled trot.
- Facing forward, grab the mane and reins with your left hand and grab the pommel with your right hand.
- Keep your eyes forward and head up.
- When you’re ready, jump forward. When you land with both feet together, use the momentum to pop up, swinging your right leg back behind you and over the saddle while pulling yourself up with your upper body.
- Ensure your mount consistently travels straight to conduct safe running vaults.

Preparing for Competition

Ready to compete with EMGC?

Start with ensuring you have a current membership with Ontario Equestrian.
The dates and locations of competitions are on our Events page.
Check out the Divisions page to select the right one for you and your mount.
Some competitions are Individuals events and don’t require a partner, but some are Pairs or Teams Format that involve teaming up with a partner to ride with.
Talk to friends, or reach out to EMGC via the contact form and our Competition Committee will help you find a partner.
It is not uncommon to ride with someone for the first time at a competition! Talk to your teammate and pick a division that suits yours and your pony’s skill level.