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Welcome to the exciting world of Western Mounted Games, South Africa style! This exhilarating sport combines the thrill of speed with the precision of horsemanship, offering challenges and fun for riders of all levels. If you’ve ever dreamt of galloping through an obstacle course on your trusty steed, competing with friends and pushing your limits, then Western Mounted Games might be your perfect fit.

But where do you begin? Don’t worry, aspiring cowboy or cowgirl, because this blog is your ultimate guide to getting started. Saddle up as we explore the five essential steps to embarking on your Western Mounted Games journey.

What is Western Mounted Games?

Firstly, what is WMG? It is a test of both speed and accuracy.

Here’s a quick rundown: There are 13 games, of which only 5 are chosen each time for a qualifying competition. These games all have their unique patterns and each is ridden in a different time limits. In this discipline, the timer is your judge. If you knock down a pole or a barrel, you get a 2-second penalty, except in the Barrel Race game, where you will get a 5-second penalty (exactly like in America). If you knock down a barrel with a bucket and a flag on it, you will get a no-time (meaning the time you ran will not count).

The most challenging part is understanding the nitty gritty rules, but for that you will have a real judge with you in your arena, they will also dictate if you’ll get penalties or not. They know everything as they have been properly trained, plus if you are ever unsure about a rule, these judges are trained to help too, so do not hesitate to ask.

Western Mounted Games will not only teach you to be on point with you techniques but also to bond with your horse and create an amazing horse and rider combination. The most important thing that WMG will teach you is proper horsemanship. When you have that connection, you are unstoppable, and every game you do flows like a river.

Now, doesn’t this sound fun? Well, let’s get started. You will learn the basics of Western Mounted Games, how to find a suitable horse, learn the necessary skills to excel in your first competition, understand the rules and techniques, and discover how to join a WMG club or register, all leading up to your first competition.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Western Mounted Games

WMG requires you to ride 13 different patterns. This means that you have to remember them all and execute them with at higher speeds and, preferably, without knocking anything down. Though knocking poles and drums down is allowed and won’t cause you to get a no-time it isn’t ideal as you do not want any seconds added to the time you ran, if you want to have a good time, you’ll want to avoid it.

The different types of games in Western Mounted Games include:

• Barrel Race
• Bi-rangle Stake Race
• Figure 8 Flag Race
• Figure 8 Stake Race
• Hurry Scurry
• Keyhole
• Pole Bending 1
• Pole Bending 2
• Quadrangle Stake Race
• Speedball
• Speed Barrels
• Single Stake Race
• Big T

Now here is a run down of how all the games are rideen:

Resource: https://www.sawmga.com/index.php/content/About+Us/2189/lib_defaults/content.php/2671

The equipment needed for all these games is simple: you need enough bending poles plus 2 extra for set up as timing poles (your start and you finish), about 3 barrels, two black buckets, 3 flags, a cone, and golf balls. That’s it. As for the equipment required for you to compete, basically, it’s you and your horse. You can compete without a saddle and bridle, but if you’re not at that stage yet, competing with a saddle and bridle is perfect and recommended. However, the most important thing is your helmet. To put it simply: no helmet, no ride.

Step 2: Find a Suitable Horse

The ideal Western Mounted Games horse requires not only the speed of a racehorse but also the turning ability of a cutting horse and the control and responsiveness of a stock horse. These horses need to be fit and light on their feet, so fitness training and agility are essential.

But let’s be honest; this is for a top-class Western Mounted Games rider. In reality, any type of horse can compete and most likely do good as well. You can even show up on your Zebra or Donkey, as there are no rules against it. By all means show up with your Zhorse. This sport is meant for anyone.

All you need to do for your equine companion is prepare them for what’s to come. You can use any poles to make bending poles and anything to make drums; they just need to understand the patterns, tight turns and speed associated with the games. You don’t want to shock them at their first show, do you?

Any horse can do it, and almost any horse can perform well with the right training. So go rescue a horse and teach them what it means for you and them to be a Western Mounted Games team. Just a suggestion…

Step 3: Develop Riding Skills

It’s essential to have some skill in this discipline. Falling off the horse because your balance is off or causing your horse to knock down obstacles due to poor riding skills is not fun for neither you or the horse. So, let’s touch on the basic riding skills you’ll need.

As I’ve mentioned, balance is essential. A good rider can demonstrate good balance in the saddle while the horse is turning and at high speeds. Secondly, you need to be able to sit deep in the saddle while negotiating a tight turn. If you look at top-class barrel racers, they sit deep in the saddle while turning. This grounds your horse so they can find their footing. When it’s time to pick up speed, you need to be able to pull yourself out of the saddle fast enough for the horse to accelerate and take off. These are skills and tips I’m am also giving you to help you and your horse perform well and enjoy the experience.

Last but not least, it’s important for your horse to trust you. This isn’t really a skill, but learning to trust a horse and teaching the horse to trust you is a skill. True trust is achieved through meaningful quality time.

You can practice at home or in your yard with jumping uprights or anything you can find. You don’t necessarily need great trainers at the beginning. As you become more serious, you can seek proper training. But, for starters, the arena is yours.

Step 4: Learn the Rules and Techniques

The most important rule in WMG is always to wear a helmet when mounted on a horse. With that settled, we can now go over the some of the other important rules.

I’ve mentioned that you receive penalties for knocking down objects, but there are also penalties for riders not wearing the correct clothing for competitions (though this does not apply to your first-ever show). If you don’t adhere to the dress code in the next competition, then a 1-second penalty will be given each and every ride that you dress has not been fixed. The dress code includes collared shirts, long or short sleeves, long trousers, and closed riding boots. It may seem trivial, but this is an important rule. It’s how we present ourselves and show that we take the sport seriously.

I also need to mention that another rule is that if you ever disrespect someone or a judge, any judge or master judge has the right to remove you from the show grounds. We love our sport, and we won’t allow people to ruin it for us or the people around us. The Western Mounted Games community is working hard to improve its image, so we should all strive to be respectful and supportive.

Step 5: Join a WMG Club or Organization

To be able to compete, you must become a member of three key organizations: SAEF (South African Equestrian Federation), SAWMGA (South African Mounted Games Association), and a local club in your district or province.

Unfortunately, you need to be a member of all three to compete, but there are numerous benefits to being a member. Membership means you’re part of an official sport, and as our sport continues to grow, you may have the opportunity to compete internationally – an exciting prospect! Additionally, there are insurance and safety benefits for members.

To locate a club in your area, start by finding your SAWGMA province Facebook group. From there, you can join a WhatsApp group and explore the available clubs in your vicinity. The system is continually improving, and one day, becoming a WMG rider will require minimal effort.

Each province conducts its own qualifiers, but you are permitted to compete in a province other than the one you reside in. The main hub for all activities and information is the SAWMGA Facebook page, where you can discover clubs and provinces that match your interests.

Your First Competition

A valuable tip is to arrive on time. A few days before your first competition, they will send you a timesheet, indicating your assigned number and the time slot for your ride. Arriving on time allows you and your horse enough warm-up time, helps calm nerves, and provides a buffer in case of unexpected issues. Your number must be clearly and prominently displayed on your horse’s but (or hindquarters) with any paint or marker safe to be used on horses. Now, you’re ready to “kick ass.”

Additional Tips and Resources

To prepare for the show world, I suggest scanning through the rule book and if you want to learn more about WMG, you can visit the website for more in detail information about rules and the regulations.

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I received from a prominent figure in Western Mounted Games is to avoid pushing yourself and your horse too hard. If it takes two or more years to reach your desired level, that’s perfectly fine. Understand that with time, you’ll gain the knowledge needed for higher levels. Pushing your horse too aggressively can spoil their motivation and lead to behavioral issues, potentially damaging your relationship. So, take it slow and proceed at a pace that both you and your horse are comfortable with. My next blog will delve into ensuring you don’t spoil your WMG horse and provide techniques for becoming a top rider.

Remember that Nationals is the place to be. It’s not only an honor to participate but also a fantastic learning opportunity for both you and your horse. Motivate yourself to aim for Nationals. But necessarily to win but reach your goals you set out for yourself.

In conclusion…

There you have it – the five steps to start your journey in Western Mounted Games. This is all you need to simply get started, and I promise that within a year, you will see significant growth and improvement in both you and your horse.

If you want to learn more about WMG and understand the perfect techniques, feel free to join me and Pasio Life. There are no fees or charges to come along. I regularly share tips and tricks for WMG and other disciplines I’ve competed in. I also strive to learn all I can about Natural Horsemanship. I’m continually improving my skills and knowledge, and I’m always available to answer calls and messages via WhatsApp. Come along with me on my Pasio Life journey, what we call the passion for life, and help me and yourself grow and learn together. I’m committed to making the equine world an amazing place, but I’ve realized I can’t do it alone. I would love the help and company as we discover what it truly means to be a genuine equestrian.

But if you truly want to know more through someone who knows the system you can contact me. I am always excited to help!

Recourses: https://www.sawmga.com/index.php/content/About+Us/2189/lib_defaults/content.php/2671
YouTube video on starting western mounted games coming soon.