What is pony game?

You love anything to do with team spirit. Are you up for turning back into a child for a while? Do you like the idea of having fun and playing like mad, just as a child would? Then you're going to love pony game.

Where does pony game come from?

First appearing in England in 1950, pony game was then known as mounted games. When it arrived in France in 1990, mounted games changed its name and became pony game. So you'll understand that we're talking about the same sport.

That said, mounted games is practised internationally at major competitions, unlike pony game. The very first French Championship for pony game was held at Chateaubriand in 1993.

What does pony game involve?

Pony game is a discipline made up of 33 games recognised by the French Equestrian Federation (FFE). These games are designed to teach riding techniques in a fun way. The aim is also to complete a course as quickly as possible without making any handling errors.

Fair play is also an institution in pony game. Finally, although pony game can be played in teams, there must never be any contact between players.

How does pony game work in competition?

There are several aspects to consider when playing pony game. The first is the ground. The playing area is generally made up of several parts. There's a central zone with lanes for each team. On either side of this first zone there's a changeover zone and a waiting zone.

As for the games themselves, there are 33 of them, as mentioned earlier. These 33 games are split into three difficulty categories. Here the categories are called levels (indices). Depending on the team's level, players can compete in certain levels.

Each team has a club colour. Among the list of games there is, for example, Slalom, Ball and Cone, Flag Flyers, Carton, the rope, the two flags (Two Flags), the two mugs (Mug Shuffle), Postman (Pony Express), on foot and on horseback (Ride and Run), the five mugs (Hug a Mug), Basket (Hilo), the Steps (Agility Aces), the two bottles, Teksab, the tyre (Hula Hoop), the little president, the sword game (Sword Lancers), the Balloons (Bang a Balloon). There are also games such as the Socks (Socks & Buckets), the Bank (Bank Race), Pyramids (Association Race), Mr Clean (Litter Lifters), the 3 mugs (Mug Race), Windsor Castle, Toolbox, Bottle Exchange, the bottles (Bottle Shuttle), jousting (Jousting), the four flags (Four Flags Race

international balls and cones or Ball and Cone), the president's game (Founders Race), Tool Box Scramble, Hoopla. To play any of these pony game events, you need the right kit. La Sellerie Française supplies some excellent gear.

As for how the classes run, the start is given once all the horses are ready behind the starting line. Once everyone is in place, the judge lowers a flag to start the race. The changeover can then only take place when all four of the previous horse's feet are inside the changeover zone.