Visitors to Horse of the Year Show at the NEC, Birmingham from the 3rd - 7th October 2012 will witness epic battles demonstrating skill, determination and team spirit in The Pony Club Mounted Games. Six Pony Clubs will battle it out over the five days but only one team will come away with the spoils!

Mounted games were first introduced at the 1957 Horse of the Year Show as an enduring challenge trophy and has been an integral part of this world famous equestrian event ever since. Young riders from across the country give their all, racing against rival teams to win the historic Prince Philip Cup - the cup donated by Prince Philip himself. At Prince Philip’s own request, the competition was designed for “ordinary children on ordinary ponies” and that objective has remained to the present day.

For each race, the atmosphere is electrifying as crowds cheer for their favourite team. A high degree of athletic ability, hand-to-eye coordination and a competitive spirit is needed alongside the ability to work as a team. The skill and expertise of the riders, vaulting on and off their ponies often at high speeds, is incredible to watch.

Over 250 teams from across the country challenge for the six finalist places at HOYS each year. Qualifying rounds are held in 19 areas across the UK. The top teams from each area then go on to compete in the zone finals in June / July.

Competing for the Preliminary Trophy, all six teams will compete in each session over the first three performances at HOYS. The teams are awarded points according to their placing in each round and the winner of The Preliminary Cup will be the team finishing with the most points after Thursday afternoon’s round. This competition gives each team time to relax into the event and get some last minute practice in.

Congratulations to the following teams for qualifying for HOYS 2011;

• Cheshire Hunt North
• Devon & Somerset
• Oakley Hunt West
• Orkney
• Rockwood Harriers
• Strathearn

Congratulations to the Oakley Hunt West on winning the 2011 Prince Philip Cup. The team consisting of Aimee Russell, Jenna Privett, Harry Gates, Thomas Kitchiner, Sally Kitchiner and Samantha Garrett, trained by Maureen Thomas were unbeatable all week and thoroughly deserved their 7th victory at The Horse of The Year Show.

Also, many congratulations to the Devon & Somerset Branch for winning the Stable Cup. The teams were judged throughout the week by a number of judges, including crowd favourite Ellen Whitaker!

For all the 2011 results from The Horse of the Year Show please click here