2025 PCIA Mounted Games Exchange Recap

Compiled by USPC Staff

As one of the most exciting disciplines to participate in and watch within Pony Club, Mounted Games was just celebrated during an international exchange in the United Kingdom, and the United States Pony Clubs was proud to field a team of five. The PCIA Mounted Games Exchange, held  July 27–August 11, 2025 among the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom as the host, featured competition along with a cultural experience for attendees.

Meet the USPC Team

The United States Pony Clubs five-member team consisted of the following riders:

Landon Carrier, 16, has earned his C-2 HM, C-1 EV, C-2 EV Flat certifications and rides with Northern Exposure Pony Club in the Western New York Region. He’s a second-generation Pony Club member as his mom is an H-A HM, B EV alum who serves as the Club Secretary, and therefore, Mounted Games has been a family affair. Landon was also part of the winning Mounted Games team, the Hot Rods, in the Standard Senior Open division at the 2024 USPC Festival, and he has won the Margo Leithead Award two years in a row at Championships, along with the Francis E. Pitts Memorial Trophy for leadership and sportsmanship. Landon was also honored with the Tiny but Mighty Character Award at the 2024 USPC Festival. This 10^th grader also plays varsity soccer, hockey, and JV baseball as co-captain of his team. He has also served as a day camp counselor at his family’s lesson barn, as well as worked on his grandparents’ farm doing chores and haying. His goal is to become a gym teacher one day.

“Pony Club has been a big part of my life ever since I was 4,” said Landon. “Games has always been my favorite Pony Club activity. I enjoy the speed and competitiveness of it. Aside from USPC Games, I’ve competed at [Mounted Games Across America] MGAA Nationals on an intermediate team and twice at the Canadian Pony Club’s Prince Phillip Games.”

Read more about Landon in this USPC Member Spotlight article.

Matilda “Tilly” Westrich, 15, has been a C-2 HM, C-2 EV, C-1 DR rider with the Midsouth Region’s Miami Valley Pony Club since 2019, and she also joined Stillwater Pony Club this year to become a dual member. Tilly has also competed at the 2024 USPC Festival and the 2022 and 2023 USPC Championships East in Tetrathlon. In 2024, she earned the George Helwig Team Award. Tilly is also on the cross-country team, indoor track team, and the outdoor track team.

Tilly said she loves serving as captain of Pony Club teams, and she looks forward to helping to motivate other riders. “Pony Club has been a big part of my growth and development as a rider,” she said. “It has taught me how to best care for my horse. I’d like to help give back to others and give them similar opportunities I had.”

Lyla Stotler, 14, is a C-2 HM, C-1 EV, C-2 EV Flat, D-3 HSE-certified member of Casanova-Warrenton Pony Club in the Virginia Region. While she’s also active with softball, soccer, and gymnastics, this middle schooler said horses have been the most consistent part of her life. She’s also a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and has been with her county’s equine 4-H club since she was a Cloverbud. She was invited to participate in the EEI Mounted Games Invitational during a past Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and she has done demonstrations for three years at the World Horse Expo in Harrisburg, Penn.

Lyla, who loves working and training horses, was introduced to Mounted Games through the Mounted Games Across America (MGAA) and has traveled up and down the East Coast competing in Games. “Being a part of Pony Club, I have been able to participate in a wide variety of equine disciplines,” she said.  “I spend most of my time engaging in Games activities, such as weekly practices and preparing for competitions. As a USPC member, I have been taught the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, whether in riding skills, horse care, or teamwork.”

Read more about Lyla in this USPC Member Spotlight article.

Joshua Ertle, 15, a C-2 HM, C-1 EV, C-2 EV Flat-certified member of the Hilltoppers Pony Club in the South Region, also comes from a family of Pony Club participants, including his sister, brother, and his father, another alum. His family owns a horse farm with more than 70 horses that they breed, train, and sell for Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing. Joshua has been competing in Mounted Games for more than five years now and also teaches beginner riding lessons. He also does wood carving and metal crafts, such as making knives. In addition, he is active in his family ministry.

Sienna Coffie, 15, is a C-2 HM, C-1 EV, C-2 EV Flat rider also with Hilltopper Pony Club in the South Region. Sienna enjoys Show Jumping on her off-track Thoroughbred, and when she’s not competing, she’s having fun and making memories with friends. Sienna earned the Margo Leitheid Award at the 2023 USPC Championships East, and she was team captain of her Mounted Games team at the 2024 USPC Festival. In addition to Pony Club, Sienna enjoys baking, photography, swimming, paddleboarding, hiking, and playing board and card games.

“I’m really into Mounted Games and love competing,” said Sienna. “Being team captain taught me valuable skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving, and it was an amazing feeling to see our team’s hard work and dedication pay off. I know how important teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline are, and I always try to show those values in everything I do. I’m excited about the chance to learn from riders in other countries and share what I’ve learned with them.”

Alternates named to the team included

• John Ertle, 15, brother of Joshua, a C-2 HM, C-2 EV rider in the Hilltoppers Pony Club in the South Region, and
• Zoe Sanborn, 15, a C-2 HM, C-1 EV, C-2 EV Flat, rider in the Casanova-Warrenton Pony Club in the Virginia Region.

The Team Manager was Laura Gorrell, with Sharon DeCant serving as the Coach.

Enjoy the journey below as showcased on the USPC International Mounted Games Exchange Team Facebook page.