The Pony Club International Mounted Games Exchange is conducted each year in rotation between the four participating countries, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada.

Pat was named in the team after an extensive selection process. At a New South Wales competition he was initially picked as a member of the state development squad.

Pat and another squad member (Lauren Slater from Wamboin) won the State selection trials and travelled to Melbourne last weekend where they competed against two other riders from each state and territory. Both Pat and Lauren were selected, along with riders from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

Pat has been a member of the NSW junior mounted games development squad for three years. He was a member of the NSW team that won the Prince Phillip Cup at Pony Club Nationals in 2009 and represented Australia at the 2009 New Zealand Horse of the Year in both individual and team competitions.

The objective of the International Mounted Games Exchange is the meeting, exchange of views and development of better understanding between Pony Club members from the countries taking part, while broadening the scope of the Pony Club Movement.

It is dependent upon good sportsmanship, team spirit and the ability of team members to cheerfully participate in all activities planned, either by the hosting nation or their Coach and Chaperone.

The Exchange is two weeks in duration and members are billeted by host nation families who take riders into their homes and provide an outstanding live-in experience, particular to that host country’s culture and identity in a Pony Club Setting.

The high point of the exchange is the Prince Phillip Games Championship, where teams participate in at least 16 separate games on ponies and horses they have not ridden before.

The games are a series of relay races with different tasks and equipment that each rider has to negotiate at the best possible speed, with control, in order for the team to achieve the best time and placing possible for the race.

The racing is exciting and requires a cool head under pressure as well as excellent horsemanship, skill with the equipment, courage, confidence and teamwork. All this is achieved while being considerate of the abilities of the loaned horses.

Congratulations and good luck, Pat.