They spend a lot of time at the horse barn, the arenas and rolling hills at Travis Hall Equestrian Centre just south of here.
Michelle Snetzko, 18, Hannah Picard, 17, Amelia Heaton-Smith, 17, and Molly Cudmore, 16, are chasing a dream – and they are mostly riding horses as they do it. The term “mostly” is apt because there are times at a full gallop that they suddenly leap from the horse’s back, run along side and then leap back on again. A few minutes later, they do the same stunt from the other side.
One misstep could turn that particular trick into a disaster, and the girls say it sometimes happens that way. When they log onto YouTube and dial in the words “international mounted games” they can show their friends videos of that feat – and at first it looks like the rider is suffering a serious fall.
“It shows what we do,” said Snetzko.
“It’s pretty cool,” added Cudmore.
Picard said, “I’m not falling off.”
They will be competing in Kentucky this fall, but next month, the foursome will be taking part in a Canada Mounted Games Competition where they hope to land a spot on Team Canada for the World Mounted Games Association competition that will be held later this year in Denmark. They will be competing with riders in British Columbia and Alberta. A single judge will do all the tests to pick the team.
It is not farfetched, either, that one or more of them will make that team. Snetzko and Picard were recently chosen to compete in New Zealand – but were unable to attend.
The reason was the competition fell during Snetzko’s week of final exams. She is in her first year at college studying business and was unable to get away.
Her partner in the pairs division, Picard, said there was too much uncertainty about the trip. First, the team was not firmly set, and there was also the expense, so she gave it a pass.
There will be no hesitation, though, about Denmark if they earn a spot on the team. That means some fundraising this summer if they are chosen. It will cost about $3,000 a person to attend. They will have to use horses provided by the host country, since shipping their ponies overseas is more expensive than their own trip.
The Canada Mounted Games Association is part of an international group that has its roots in 1957 and is connected to royalty. It is a branch of equestrian sport in which very fast races are performed by riders on well-trained ponies. They require a high degree of athletic ability, good riding skills and hand-to-eye coordination, plus determination to see things through to the end no matter what.
As well as a competitive spirit, the games also require an ability to work with other riders and a willingness to help each other.
Cudmore said if a rider makes a single mistake, it usually relegates the team to a loss. Even if they miss part of a particular contest, they have to go back and complete it to get a single point. A disqualification gets them a zero.
What causes a disqualification? “Swearing,” said Heaton- Smith. There are also other ways for a DQ, like failing to stay in the proper lane.
The Mounted Games were the inspiration of Prince Philip. When Colonel Sir Mike Ansell was director of the Horse of the Year Show, Prince Philip asked if he could devise a competition for children who could not afford an expensive, well-bred pony, and in 1957 the Horse of the Year Show, in North London, England, staged the first Mounted Games championship for the Prince Philip Cup. It was an immediate box office success.
The Mounted Games, as they are known today, were founded by Norman Patrick to extend the sport, previously age-restricted to Pony Clubs, for wider participation. In 1984, he established the Mounted Games association of Great Britain. The sport has spread to over 20 countries.
The four local girls have been riding for years. Cudmore, Heaton-Smith and Picard all said, “Since I was 6.” Snetzko really can’t remember. She grew up at Travis Hall and has been riding all her life. She remembers competing in Kentucky and Indiana when she was in grade 7 or 8.
There are several divisions – a solo event, pairs and teams of five. In the latter, four members compete, with one replacement rider. Heaton-Smith noted, “You play to your strengths.”
Cudmore added, “It’s easier on the horse and rider. You’re not in at all times.”
The coach uses riders in events in which they are strongest.
And, as Snetzko noted, “You have a replacement rider if someone gets hurt.”
There appears to be no rivalries between them, but there is plenty of good natured bantering. Cudmore and Heaton-Smith are a team against Snetzko and Picard. When asked who will win in a head-to-head competition, there was a chorus of “Us.”
Heaton-Smith said one good thing about the Mounted Games, as a rider, is, “You have to believe in yourself.”
There are about 20 different games to test the riders. One consists of a rider carrying a short flag riding down the field at a full gallop to place it into the narrow opening of a barrel or pylon, then riding back, picking up another flag on the way, and handing it off to a teammate. One slip and the clock is relentless.
Another is carrying a sword and, at a full gallop, grabbing small rings placed on stands along the field.
Real swords?
“They’re made of wood,” said Cudmore, with a touch of regret in her voice.
Snetzko added, “They break easily.”
Heaton-Smith added, “They also hurt when you get hit.”
She noted, though, “Safety is first.”
Snetzko said riders have the reins in hand at all times and even if they fall they can control the horse. There is even protocol set up in advance if a rider on the field falls.
Other games have tests for agility and to determine how the rider and pony will work together. One hearkens to medieval times, and includes wielding a lance. The rider has to aim at a metal plate that can be knocked down – if it is hit directly.
Snetzko said it is heavy, and directing it is not as easy as it might look. Still, when they are in the field practising, there are more hits than misses.
The Mounted Games used to have an age limit of 21, but that has now been extended to a veteran’s class.
Snetzko’s mom, Cindy Johnson, is the team’s coach, and she plans to take part in several events that are spread over the summer.
On May 22, there will be Mounted Games at the Grand River Raceway in Elora, in which and Johnson Ruth Cudmore (Molly’s mother) will be competing there as a team. In fact, Johnson is hoping to put a full five-rider team together and is busy cajoling Heaton-Smith’s father, Colin Smith, and her mom, Diane Heaton, to join the group. Two other prospects are Tracey Robinson, whose daughter is learning vaulting at Travis Hall, and Cheryl Zdolski.
“They want to beat us,” said Snetzko, with a smile shared around the table by her friends.
When asked how they would do against their parents and their coach, the younger riders suggested they would handle them with ease, which left Johnson with a smile on her face and plans for big surprises. She hopes to compete in Denmark, too.
In the meantime, there is preparation, and not all of it is on a horse. Studies are important, and all competitors have to prove an average in school of over 70%, which all of them have.
They have little time for anything else.
“We’re usually practising every week,” said Cudmore, who noted there are also many horse competitions throughout the summer season.
Next month, a single judge will put the girls through their paces at Travis Hall. The tests will run from 9am to about 4pm – a long day.
Snetzko said people are more than welcome to come and watch, and said children in particular find the contests fun to watch. The event is free.
“We’re open to helping people learn,” she said.
Heaton-Smith added, “You’re never too old.”
Cudmore said, “You make a lot of friends.”
Anyone wanting to see the trials or the facilities can contact Travis Hall Equestrian Centre at 8159 Sideroad 30, phone 519-843-4293 or email travishall@exlorenet.ca.
