What is Polocrosse?
Polocrosse is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is a team sport played on horseback and players use racquets with a square or round head and loose net to pick up, carry, throw, catch and bounce a soft sponge ball. Two sections of three players play against each other with the aim to score the most goals.
A chukka in polocrosse lasts six minutes and after each one there is a break of at least six minutes so the rider and horse can recover. This means each player only needs one horse to play a match of polocrosse. While the players and horses are resting two other sections of players will normally be on the pitch playing.
Matches are played either as sections or as full teams. A full team consists of two sections of three players, who then play alternate chukkas for a total of six chukkas. Both sections scores are added together to get the overall match result. However, most Pony Club polocrosse matches are simply played in sections of three players and two matches of three chukkas each will be run on the same pitch to create the gaps for each section of players and horses to rest.
The three players in each section play the positions of No. 1 “attack”, No. 2 “midfield”, or No. 3 “defence”, each one of these players is allowed in particular areas of the pitch (which is divided into three distinct areas) and so to score goals the players have to work together.
Horses of all breeds play polocrosse and most horses take to the sport well and happily accept the stick and ball. High level horses need to be light, responsive and well trained, so as to stop, turn and go again in an instant. Most Pony Club players start playing on their existing horses and ponies and it is amazing how quickly both the members and horses pick up the game and skills involved in just a few training sessions.
At the top level, it is a fast paced and very exciting sport to both watch and play, with both players and horses showing some amazing moves. At all levels it is a lot of fun and teaches Pony Club members a number of very useful skills, improves their balance and confidence and it can also give a great understanding on why having a well trained and responsive horses is important.
