Following on from a successful demonstration at the Royal Agricultural Show last summer, Stella Hampton, proprietor of Ballawhetstone Stables Accredited Pony Club Centre, and Alice Corrin, District Commissioner for Isle of Man Pony Club, joined forces to launch their very own Winter Mounted Games League.

For the last three months 50 riders and ponies, aged between 5-16 (the humans not the horses!), have been gathering at Ballavartyn Equestrian Centre once a month on a Friday evening to compete for top spot and the prizes that await the winning teams. 

Each games night consists of 10 teams competing over 5 races. The arena is far from a quiet and calm location as cries of encouragement and competitive cheering ring around the centre.

Sponsored by Mylchreests, the teams are competing for top spot and the prizes that await the victors. Spectators are treated to an unpredictable evening with both riders and ponies determined to show their competitive spirit.

Each team participants have a mixture of ages and abilities with an experienced team captain ensuring the teams remember that this is first and foremost a competition.

Due to the number of competitors Games Nights are split into two sessions. The scores currently stand at:

Session one

Team one: 22 Points
Amelia Hotchkiss, Aislinn Lace, Suzie Heap, Molly Kneen, Gypsy-Mae Quirk

Team two 28 Points:
Eva Jones, Lauren Batty, Annabell Corkill, Jemima Mylchreest, Lindsay Collister

Team three 16 Points:
Immy Millward, Freya Cowie, Sophie Wright, Olivia Gains, Kenzie Steele

Team four 14 Points:
Blae Richardson, Zevi Sansbury, Scarlett Walter, Chloe Wright, Olivia Burns

Team five 10 Points:
Molly Howland, Emily Toombs, Caitlyn Walton, Lilly Jo Hampton, Joseph Booth

Second session

Team six 16 Points:
Georgia Stokes, Jessica Tummon, Brian Hurst, George Hotchkiss, Susannah Callister

Team seven 12 Points:
Sophie Parsons, Freddie Ralston, Issie Ennett, Isla Cain, Tayla Griffin

Team eight 24 Points:
Abbie Jackson, Lucy Parsons, Isobella Yap, Grace Wolstencroft, Emma Gale

Team nine 30 Points:
Percy Hampton, Lola Bass, Edward Hampton, Herbie Hampton, Tiger France

Team ten 8 Points:
Sammy Callister, Jayden Stewart, Eloise Rainey, Millie Craddock, Ellie Duckett

The next event takes place on Friday 27th January at Ballavartyn from 6pm-8pm.  Spectators are welcome in the cafe where food and drink is available to purchase.

For more details, please visit www.facebook.com/mountedgamesiom