Calling all games people! Your knowledge needed!

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peaceandquiet1

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Daughters recently taken up mounted games at PC level. Have recently bought a "real games pony" for youngest age 9, pony is in her twenties. Pony goes quite well for daughter but she has a few issues with it taking off at the "wrong" moment when she thinks its time to race for the line. Then she stops. She also gets pretty bouncy but no bucking etc.Two other older very experienced kids have tried her and neither could ride her, she just went faster and faster. So what i would like to know-how much is it technique, how much physical strength is needed, one of the parents has said that a partnership can be built and thinks my daughter just clicks with the pony. Is that possible or am I kidding myself that she will be able to manage her in time?

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How long have you had her?

The pony obviously knows her job, that's why you bought her isn't it? Your daughter will need to learn how to get on with her. Listen to the pony.
 
Bought her in August. Agree pony knows her job but worried daughter will just be carted about and not manage to do any of the equipment. Not blaming pony at all, we love her, just not sure if we are up to her standard lol.
 
Do lots of ground work, and build their relationship :)

Most ' proper games ponies ' are very keen and eager, almost to the point if being quite mad :)

Do you think it would help if your daughter turned pony away from the action until it is their turn?
 
Thank you. We are going along the ground work route at the moment as there is no training at the moment, we have an arena and some equipment. She is a sweet pony to handle, fit for her age, and keen. I just don't know how much strength daughter will need to control her, she is very slight .
 
My daughter does MG on a 22 year old, and yes he gets a bit full of it because he loves to race. I would suggest that aside from MG practise she also practises riding as correctly as she can with lots of transitions (with instructor if she won't listen to mum lol!) as she will want to build a partnership wheerby the pony knows from your daughter when to start when to stop and which pace to use around the arena. Then when you introduce the MG poles and games equpment etc both pony and rider are singing out of the same sheet and understand each other better.

As to the MG practise, I would suggest also do lots of practise OFF the pony and on foot with picking cups off the poles and dropping potatoes into buckets etc, and as you have two riders practise on foot baton changes, also on foot walking/running on stepping stones while leading the pony, and ensuring the pony will be lead at speed, and then vaulting practise too.
 
agree, when i was younger i had a super games pony and we did MG to almost top level. he was completely and utterly bonkers to most people, but he knew his job better than i did. your daughter just needs to learn to go with her :D its great fun once u get used to them! do plenty of practise from the ground as well
 
My old gymkhana pony was a lot like this. I think of it a bit like dressage but with different buttons... You need to know what button does what! My pony would sprint at speed when you shortened the reins, and giving a longer rein was his key. This pony could be getting a signal that he knows and your daughter doesn't know she is giving yet. It's definitely possible to build a good partnership, it's not about physical strength in my opinion. I'd set up some cones and practice at home away from the excitement! Good luck, it will be loads of fun!
 
Thank you, that's it about the buttons, daughter needs to press the right ones, she will not stop this pony but if it knows when its to stop....it stops. She also tries to help during the pass, she actually bounces towards the other pony to get in closer, she is amazing......
 
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