Ruby Atkins returns from representing Australia at 2026 International Mounted Games

Deloraine District Pony Club Ruby rider Ruby Atkins has recently returned from Kentucky, USA, having successfully represented her country at the 2026 International Mounted Games.

The team of five riders were accompanied by coach Karen Pearce (mum of Fremantle footballer Alex Pearce) and they out-rode teams from Canada, USA, New Zealand and the UK.

Mounted games are fast-paced, exciting and showcase skills that are akin to barrel racing, trick riding, polocross and sprinting all rolled into one.

Ruby is the daughter of Dairy Plains dairy farmers Brent and Alana Atkins and the family is already back in travel mode ready for Ruby to contest the 2026 FIFO Mounted Games National Championships which is being hosted in the Northern Territory for the first time in the 35 degree plus heat of Darwin.

Ruby, 16, is a well-rounded equestrienne who competes in showjumping, dressage and eventing, but she said mounted games is her favourite discipline.

“Competing in America was amazing but it was a long way to go for one day of competition,” she said.

“It was well worth it though - our riders proved how good they are because everyone rode the same horses, rotating the five groups of horses throughout the teams every four races to keep it fair.”

With no time to adjust to each mount, Ruby said she just “got on and went for it”.

“Really that just added to the fun,” she said.

“We were also able to spend time sight-seeing while there for 10 days.”

At home Ruby is more attuned with her 14.2-hand palomino quarterhorse Elsa, but she’ll be back on pool horses this week in Darwin hoping to get the double with the Tassie team which is coached by David Quinn.