The Uxbridge-Scugog "Fast and Furious" finished second at the Canadian Prince Philip Games "A" championships held Sunday, September 4 in Edmonton. The championship was decided by the last race, and the winners, the "Bruisers" from the Edmonton-based Strathcona Pony Club, won by 75 points to 73. The Uxbridge-Scugog team led for most of the competition, but saw its lead slip away in the last few races.

A tie-breaker was needed to decide third and fourth places, as a team from the Campbell Valley Pony Club in the BC Lower Mainland Region, and the Clearwater "Conquerors" from Albertan North Region, each finished with 64 points. Campbell Valley won the tie-breaker.

The Games are a team competition played by Pony Clubs around the world, played by teams of five riders and five ponies, four of which participate in each game. All are variations on the relay race, and all are great fun for players and spectators alike. Many of the Games require the riders and ponies to run a slalom course around a series of poles from one end of the playing field to the other, where they hand-off something to the next rider on their team. It is one of the most spectator-friendly and photogenic of all equestrian competitions.

The members of the "Fast and Furious" are Kathleen Barnes, Luke Durward, Kaylin Nauta, Laura Parliament and Madison Reeves, all 13 to 15 years old. They are coached by Lisa Pascoe, 22, who was part of last year's Canadian Masters Games Championship team, the Uxbridge-Scugog "Cowboys."

The "A" level is for competitors up to 14 years old. The Canadian Masters Games Championship, for players 15 to 21 years old, is set for this coming Sunday, September 11, at Durward Farm north of Port Perry.

For more details e-mail Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Regional Communications Chair, or call him at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home).