ELORA – Kids, ponies, games, coffee and a lot of fun – one of my favourite ways to spend a morning.
Mounted Games Across Canada (MGAC) introduced my family to games on horseback over 10 years ago. We went to watch a friend of ours and thought it looked fun.
The next month my son borrowed a pony and was welcomed into the MGAC group with open arms. He learned the games and had a blast.
A year later he rode his own pony in the mounted games and, as they say, the rest is history. Over the years we have had both our children join MGAC with their own ponies.
Our youngest is getting back into it this year with a new pony after being away for a bit and we would love to share this experience with other horse enthusiasts (but be warned, the fun and camaraderie of this group can be addicting).
MGAC is a non-profit organization that is open to equines and their human friends of all ages.
Horse games – Mounted Games Across Canada 2024 participants, from left: Wesley Knierim, Arielle Bauman, Myelle Mulder, Jaelyn Mulder, Janine Swallow and Aspen Woods. Submitted photo
It was formed by a group of enthusiastic local riders in 2005 who wanted to have a riding event that focused on fun and learning for people and ponies of all ages.
MGAC was founded on five principles:
– to promote and increase the awareness of mounted games in Canada;
– to promote safety for all riders;
– to encourage participation for all ages and skill levels;
– to keep costs of participation affordable for all; and
– to emphasize that games are for everyone and any age.
Mounted Games are a wonderful way to develop rider skills and improve the horse and rider bond, all while having fun doing it.
It is also a fantastic way to expose ponies and horses to different environments and challenges, while improving their physical condition by getting a little exercise. And it is a wonderful development tool for rider balance and partnership with their pony.
This year’s mounted games events will be held in the centre field at the Grand River Raceway in Elora about once a month from June to October.
Dates can be found on the MGAC website at MGAC.ca.
There is also a clinic being hosted soon to get some pre-season instruction, coaching and practice that is open to everyone. Membership and event fees are kept as low as possible to encourage everyone to participate.
The various mounted games are described in the MGAC handbook, which can be accessed on MGAC’s website.
For new people and ponies (and those that may want a refresher), each game is explained before it starts and there are helpers along the way to provide guidance and support.
Each monthly event includes 10 to 15 games over approximately three hours that has riders carry flags or bottles, weave through poles, play bean bag games, move cups from post to post, play hockey on horseback or sometimes even joust for rings.
MGAC even has events with rope pair riding and hula hoops, but it is not a test of one’s hula hooping ability – participants only have to get through the hoop once.
Any age or skill of rider can join, as there are different classes for each game depending on age and experience.
For participants that are new, younger or just like it slower, there is the “novice” division, which includes lead line and off-lead ponies at a slower pace.
Care to go faster or have more experience?
Then join the “open” division, where there is a bit more speed and fun competition.
Just want to come out and watch to check things out? Bring a morning drink of choice and a lawn chair.
As someone who has been part of this group for a while, I can honestly say that this is a lot of fun, and I would recommend anybody interested to contact MGAC.
Those interested can learn more at MGAC.ca, join the Facebook group or reach out directly by email to mountedgamesacrosscanada@gmail.com.
We hope to see you at the mounted games clinic in the next few weeks or the first event in June.
I know my family is ready for a summer of fun with our ponies – how about you and yours?
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Lori Terpstra is a MGAC volunteer.