Equestrian Mounted Games

Colonel Harris has drawn upon his experience as an Army officer and his qualifications in workplace health and safety matters in this complete dissertation on Pony Club Mounted Games. He traces the introduction of Prince Philip Mounted Games in Australia, his family’s involvement and his progress from a non-horsey parent to a horseman, rider, competitor, coach and mentor of Pony Club squads and teams, and qualification under the National Coaches Accreditation Scheme.

For a number of years, David Harris has been the coach of the New South Wales Pony Club Mounted Games Squad and the coach of the state team. He has also been the coach of the Pony Club Australia international teams to Canada and the United Kingdom.

This book is full of invaluable information to coaches and parents regarding the selection and training of the mounted games pony; to coaches and riders on the riding skills required for mounted games generally, and the particular techniques to carry out the various types of movements in the individual games. It covers everything one would wish to know about the conduct of mounted games and is an easy-to-read handbook. The explanations are clear and the photographs helpful.

Books abound in the other riding disciplines. This book fills a gap that previously existed, but goes further, where manners and respect for all others involved in the sport are the necessary ingredients for a successful team. The author expects that children will care for and respect their ponies.

To assist coaches, the book includes six example lesson plans that, between them, cover the variety of skills required in mounted games. Clearly, David Harris’s efforts as a coach are there to win competitions, but above all, throughout his book, he makes it very clear that mounted games must be fun for all involved.

- Roger Braham OAM, President 1991—2009 Pony Club Association of NSW.

David Harris coached my three daughters in the New South Wales Pony Club state development squad over six years, and they have all gone on to represent New South Wales at National Championships and Australia in the four-nations International Mounted Games Exchange. They have also been very successful in the Australian Mounted Games Association national pairs and individual championships.

David is an experienced and insightful coach with many years of experience teaching mounted games at the local, state and national levels. This book is a testament to David’s expertise and the way in which he scrutinises each race and then breaks it down into its different components and skills. By compartmentalising the different skills required, riders are able to improve their riding skills, and this allows them to become more competitive at all levels of competition. 

David’s ability to observe and then convey those observations into a meaningful guide makes this a ‘must-read’ book. It is a great guide for those who are new to mounted games, and for those experienced riders looking for an edge to be able to compete successfully at higher levels.

I would recommend this book to any rider, coach or parent who has an interest in mounted games.

- Robyn Slater, Wamboin, New South Wales, Australia.