Essential Kit and Equipment for Mounted Games

15 July 2025 • Kit & Gear • Updated 22 February 2026

One of the best things about this sport is how little you need to start. People imagine a yard full of expensive gear. In reality, a sensible pony, a couple of safety items and a box of homemade props will get you a long way. Here is what actually matters.

For the rider

Two things are non-negotiable. The first is a riding hat that meets the current safety standard accepted at competitions. Standards get updated, so if your hat is old, check it, and replace it after any heavy fall. The second is a body protector, usually a BETA Level 3, which most events require for the younger sections and which we would recommend for everyone given how fast and physical the racing is.

Beyond that, keep it simple. Sensible boots with a heel, gloves so the batons and flags do not slip, and clothes you can move in. Many riders wear their team colours, but you do not need anything fancy to train in.

For the pony

A well-fitting saddle and bridle you already own is the starting point. A neck strap is genuinely useful, both as something to grab when you are reaching down and as a security blanket for nervous beginners. Most riders use a snaffle bit, because games is about a pony that comes back to you rather than one held together by strong gear. Brushing boots are worth having, since ponies do bang themselves in tight turns.

The props you can make at home

This is where you save your money. Almost every race can be practised with things from the shed:

• Bending poles: five canes pushed into the ground, or proper plastic poles if you want them to survive a knock.
• Buckets and cones: any sturdy bucket does for the sock race; traffic cones work for flags.
• Socks: old socks with a bit of weight sewn in, exactly as the rulebook intends.
• Mugs and batons: a couple of unbreakable mugs and a length of broom handle.

Setting these up at home is the single best thing you can do for your riding between competitions. Five minutes of bending practice after a hack adds up fast.

What to buy properly

Spend on safety, save on everything else. A good hat and body protector are worth every penny. The competition-grade props matter once you are racing seriously, because homemade ones behave slightly differently, but there is no rush. Plenty of teams train all winter on canes and buckets before buying the real thing.

Now you know what you need, it is worth understanding how the gear gets used under pressure. Our piece on safety and welfare in mounted games covers how we keep both riders and ponies sound, and the races explained will show you exactly which prop does what.