The Ngamiland Equestrian Centre (NEC) will host the qualifiers for the Western Mounted Games on February 7th and 8th at Happy Hackers, down the road from Masters Valley Filling station in Maun.
The centre will also be hosting other qualifiers at Shashe Farm in Maun on March 14th and 15th and then again on April 11th and 12th.
Ngamiland Equestrian Centre has eight registered members participating in the games. The team consists of three veteran riders, one senior rider, three junior riders and one child rider.
In an interview, NEC Acting Chairperson Christo van Vuuren said that the Ngamiland Equestrian Centre intends to promote Western Mounted Games in Botswana and get more riders registered to compete at the qualifiers and possibly represent Botswana in South Africa at the International Western Mounted Games.
According to Vuuren, there are 13 categories featured in Western Mounted Games, and each category of the games work on time, and precision. He stated the games are structured for various age groups which include Child (3 to 13yrs), Junior (14 to 17yrs), Senior (18 to 44yrs) and Veteran (45 and up).
“It is best to take part in as many qualifiers as possible to better your chance to become a top rider. Each rider can compete with more than one horse at a qualifier,” he said.
Vuuren highlighted that NEC has also added to the calendar a lot of fun activities for each enthusiastic participant. He added that they have barrel racing, fun full moon trial rides, jumping, dressage and showing, and lots more.
“We are positive that more riders will register with NEC and enjoy the games with,” he said.
Meanwhile, the first qualifiers of the 2026 Western Mounted season was hosted by Ghanzi Equestrian Centre in Ghanzi on January 17th and 18th.Vuuren highlighted that every month each of the registered districts will host at least two qualifiers.
He said that these districts include Ngamiland Equestrian Centre in Maun, Ghanzi Equestrian Centre in Ghanzi, Southern District in Gaborone, and Chobe District in Kasane.
Vuuren revealed that in July 2026 the Botswana Nationals will be hosted (venue to be confirmed) and then the top riders will be chosen to represent Botswana at the International Western Mounted Games in Parys, South Africa in September 2026. He stated that each rider needs to do at least three qualifiers and 11 of the 13 games to qualify for the International Western Mounted Games.
Vuuren has further highlighted that in 2025, 17 riders from Botswana participated in South Africa at the International Western Mounted games event.
He stated that the team was made up top five riders and then 12 additional riders, among them three veteran riders, three senior riders, three junior riders and three child riders. He said that from Ngamiland Equestrian Centre there were three riders selected for this team, two veteran riders and one senior rider.
“The competition was very high with almost 700 horses and riders competing from all over South Africa. The top 5 riders from Botswana competed against riders from South Africa, the Protea team, Zimbabwe and England. All of Botswana riders did exceptionally well and some even bettered their Personal best times in some of the games,” he said.
