Strathearn Storm to Victory in the Prince Philip Cup
The Strathearn Branch of The Pony Club have won the Equimax 3D Worming Prince Philip Cup Mounted Games Final held at Horse of The Year Show (HOYS), NEC Birmingham.
Relative newcomers to the Prince Philip Cup final, first qualifying in 2011, Strathearn have come a close second to stalwarts the Oakley Hunt (West) Branch in both 2011 and 2012; but the team of Sophie O’Neil, Sophie Targell-Worth, Iona Wilson, Hamish d’Ath, Sam Ryder and Heather Halley went one better in 2013 and clinched the victory on a final score of 108 points.
Aside from Strathearn, five other teams including, Oakley Hunt (West), Cheshire Hunt (North), Poole and District, Atherstone Hunt and, for the first time, Warwickshire Hunt went forward to the final at HOYS after battling it out at the Zone Finals around the country during the summer. The competition at HOYS hot’s up from Thursday evening onwards, and after the Sunday afternoon session teams that have accumulated the most points during the week go forward to the prestigious final, to compete for the Prince Philip Cup.
There was the usual classic games on offer to delight crowds, such as balloon and giant sack, but it’s the novelty games at HOYS that always get the loudest cheer, and 2013 saw the return of both the ‘Egg Race’ involving one team member dressing as an ostrich, and the ’3D Worming’ race where one team member is dressed as a worm and raced over the line in a wheelbarrow!
Although undoubtedly a lot of fun, hours of specific training goes into to making the Prince Philip Cup teams as successful as possible, and team trainer for the Strathearn Branch, Alistair Brewster commented ”It was a fantastic achievement for the team. We had a five year campaign and it was a great feeling to win after coming so close in the previous two years – there are some very proud and happy families!”
The Pony Club Mounted Games is a competition requiring courage, determination and all round riding ability. The concept of the competition was first introduced by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT, who suggested that Cavalry competitions could be adapted for young riders on ponies in an entertaining and visually engaging format. The first competitions were held in 1957 and the winner received the coveted Prince Philip Challenge Trophy.
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