Mounted Games set to impress

For two young riders the thought of dropping socks in buckets and knocking down targets in front of 5000 people gets their adrenaline pumping.

Sophie Daly, 12, and Siena Harrison, 15, for the first time are riding in the Friday Night Extravaganza at Horse of the Year showcasing some of the best of the Mounted Games.

Sophie started competing in the Mounted Games two years ago and has not looked back since.

"It is a lot of fun as you get to do all sorts of things from weaving around poles, picking up flags, vaulting on and off a horse - all while at speed," Sophie said.

The pair are hoping to take their passion for the sport forward this year vying for a spot in the Worlds U17 team with selectors present on the Friday night.

Siena said the adrenaline definitely gets you going but she loved competing in the games, going fast and working on agility.

"It will be pretty nerve-wracking riding on the Friday night but I am very excited about it as I haven't competed in the main arena under the lights before."

One rider who was successful in her campaign for the New Zealand Mounted Games team last year was now training these up and coming riders.

Amy Wiltshire arrived back from England after completing the season over there at the end of last year and returns again at the end of the month.

"As I have experienced the games overseas it is great coming back and helping. I can teach them techniques that they do over there which we might not do here and pass on the knowledge I have learnt."

She said the advice she gave to the young riders was not to overthink or try too hard.

"We have all done it and I think the more you think about it the more things go wrong. You just have to relax and have trust in what you know. Be confident in your ability and things will happen."

The 19-year-old attends the trainings on Wednesday night to mentor riders in preparation for HOY and their trials for Worlds.

Her personal favourite is the carton race, a race based on pure speed, where she remains unbeaten overseas.

She has learnt to channel her nerves in events like this and use them to her advantage.

"The adrenaline kicks in and you just have to go with it. It is a lot of fun."

Miss Wiltshire is competing in the open individual and teams section at HOY next week.

Hawke's Bay Mounted Games Association president Rochelle Brooks said all of these riders started in pony club and caught the bug.

"Unlike the other events if you make a mistake in the first game you get a chance at another to shine and be a star, so I think for the young it is a lot less demoralising."

Horse of the Year was one of the team's most prestigious events and Ms Brooks said on the Friday night people could expect a "great spectacle".

The riders will be showcasing six games featuring everything from popping balloons to jousting to sprinting.

"I encourage people to come and have a look. It will be an exciting and awesome event."

The Worlds U17 Mounted Games is in Auckland at the end of the year in November.