PPG (Prince philip games)

---

Prince Philip Games are a fast-paced, team-based competition played by Pony Clubs worldwide. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, donated the original Prince Philip Cup to the British Pony Club in the 1950s. In Canada, our own Prince Philip Cup (donated by J.R. Crang with permission of His Highness) is awarded annually to the best team in the country.

PPG was designed for children to:

• Compete on well-trained ponies
• Build skill, confidence, and teamwork
• Strengthen rapport with both equine and human teammates
• Live out the Pony Club motto: “Loyalty, Character, Sportsmanship.”
   

• Teams are made up of 4–5 riders (only four compete in each game, giving ponies and riders breaks). 
• Riders must be under 15 years old as of January 1 to compete in the A Division. 
• Older riders can join the Masters Mounted Games Division (recognized by Canadian Pony Club since 1996), where horses may be used.
• Many regions also offer B and C divisions for less experienced players, focusing on accuracy and technique before speed.
   

• Riders train with their coach and experienced teammates at the branch level.
• Teams compete at Regional PPG competitions.
• Top teams advance to the Canadian Prince Philip Cup, the national championship. 
• Select riders may be chosen for the International Mounted Games Exchange (IMGE), where Canadian teams compete against teams from around the world.
   

All games are variations on a relay race. Riders and ponies maneuver around poles, pass props, vault, or drop objects into buckets—all at speed! Classic races include:

• Egg-and-Spoon
• Sword Race
• Litter Race
• And many more creative challenges with socks, balls, and even vegetables.
   

The games build coordination, timing, agility, horsemanship, and teamwork -and plenty of laughter along the way.