Reigning champions take home the Thistledown Developments Pony Club Mounted Games Prince Philip Cup

West Hants Pony Club do it again in the final of the Thistledown Developments Pony Club Mounted Games Prince Philip Cup. Entering the final round of games in the lead on 81 points, there was still all to play for with the double points on offer at Horse of the Year Show.

The four teams through to the final round were; West Hants Pony Club, Atherstone Hunt Pony Club, Staff College & Sandhurst Hunt Pony Club and Strathearn Branch of the Pony Club. The Games this year were themed around the Pony Club’s 90^th birthday and included games such as the balloon race, the birthday cake race and the traditional flag race with a celebratory twist.

With three riders from last year’s winning team, West Hants members led the way in the Pony Club’s 90th anniversary year. Showing great camaraderie, athleticism and skill, they embodied everything Prince Philip wanted to achieve when he set up the games 62 years ago. Going into the last game over 20 points ahead of the other three teams, it was clear that they would be out right winners.

The final scores were as follows:

• West Hants: 127 points
• Atherstone Hunt: 95 points
• Strathearn: 85 points
• Staff College & Sandhurst Hunt: 83 points

The West Hants Branch was established in 1967 and their mounted games team is trained today by Jo Morris. Team member Libby Hawkins spoke for the team: “It’s absolutely amazing to win here once let alone twice! We just wanted to go out there and have fun because it is the last year on the team for some of us. Competing in the arena in front of so many people is an amazing feeling.”

The Pony Club is a training organisation where you can take part in rallies, train for Pony Club tests and earn achievement badges. The Pony Club is the only equestrian organisation to cover every discipline, including dressage, showjumping, eventing, Mounted Games, pony racing, polo, polocrosse, tetrathlon and endurance. Above all, you can make friends and have fun!

Membership is open to boys and girls under 25 years of age. For more information, visit the website www.pcuk.org or call 024 7669 8300.

ENDS

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2019, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk

Thistledown Developments Pony Club Mounted Games Prince Philip Cup, West Hants Pony Club © Julian Portch