Olivia, 13, saddles up for world champs

Olivia Brooks-Hore on Merrylegs, shows the ability that gained her a place in the NZ team. Photo / Supplied

As the youngest mounted games competitor in the Hawke's Bay team, Olivia Brooks-Hore wasn't expecting a call from the national selectors.

So when she was told she was in the New Zealand squad to compete at the International Mounted Games Association World Championships in the US this year, she was very surprised.

"I found out just a couple of days after we'd competed at the Horse of the Year Show. I'm still surprised, but now I'm also excited and a little bit nervous."

Olivia, 13, competed in the pairs event at HOY and also captained the five-rider Hawke's Bay team that came fourth.

"I've been competing for about four years now and this is my best season yet. My pony is 22 but she's still keen and very fast. It's the speed that I like most about mounted games, we get to ride fast and the competitions are quick - there's no waiting around. Along with the speed, accuracy is vital as well so I can challenge myself every time I ride," Olivia said.

The idea of mounted games dates back to Britain in 1956, when Prince Phillip saw the need for a team competition for pony club riders who didn't necessarily have "show ponies".

He envisaged a series of games on horseback for teams of four riders - races that would be exciting for the spectator and rider alike and encourage outstanding horsemanship, skills and balance.

There are now about 40 games that can be included in competitions and test riders' skills, including dismounting and mounting while the horse is moving, handing equipment to the next rider at speed, picking up an item and placing it in a container, bending around poles, using a lance to hit something on the ground or using a sword to spear a ring on a pole.

Not only are the riders having fun, the horses are as well, Olivia says. "The ponies learn the games too. They get really excited, they watch the start flags and they even know when to slow down so you can pick something up or put it down."

Olivia discovered the sport when she went along to watch a friend training. Now she's hooked and it's a sport she can compete in to veteran level.

"You don't need special riding gear or clothing, and everyone is really friendly. You can compete as an individual or part of a team, and we all support each other."

During the world championships the New Zealand riders will be on borrowed ponies, an added challenge for the team.

"We won't know what pony we are riding until we get there," Olivia said. "It's just an additional skill we have to have, getting a good performance out of an unknown horse."

It is one of the things Olivia will be practising over the winter months.

"I will be working on my fitness and my skills, riding as many different ponies as I can, and doing a large amount of fundraising to get over there."