WHAT IS POLOCROSSE?

The sound of thundering hooves, the crack of racquets hitting racquets, and the heavy breathing of horses is all that is heard as horse and rider battle for position. For eight minute intervals, skilled riders maneuver their 4-legged teammate over the field trying to capture the coveted ball.

Eight minutes earlier, 2 teams consisting of three members on horseback lined up in the end zones at opposite ends of the field and methodically made their way to the center of the field to shake hands with their opponent as horse and rider passed each other over the centerline. Also taking the field, two umpires on horseback moved into position while goal keepers assumed their watch in the end zones as the first sponge-like ball was thrown onto the field initiating the first "chukka," of the game.

The fast-paced, continuous action makes up a game of skill and determination as horse and rider work together using their assigned positions to gain and retain possession of the ball. Their objective: using racquet and strategy move the ball down field and score a point for their team by successfully tossing the ball through vertical, striped poles while carefully maneuvering within the chalked boundaries of the field.

This is Polocrosse.

One of the fastest growing sports, polocrosse has become a wildly popular equestrian game for which all you need is one horse, one rider, a ball and racquet.

Dubbed the "king of the one-horse sports," the game was invented in Australia in 1938 after Edward Hirst and his wife read about polo in an English horse magazine. After traveling to England and witnessing polo, they returned to Australia and developed the rules and regulations for a new equestrian sport, polocrosse. Soon, polocrosse took hold worldwide in places such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and, of course, the United States.

While this sport can be played for fun as much as it can be played competitively, families worldwide are finding it to be one of their favorite pastimes. Geared for players of all ages, polocrosse quickly converts even the most cynical of skeptics.

The Game
At 160 yards in length and 60 yards wide, the polocrosse field can be grass or dirt. Teams score points by throwing the ball through their opponent’s goal posts using their racquet. All players can catch, carry and throw the ball with their racquets. However, only the player at the number 1 position is allowed to score. The rules are designed with one primary concern, safety -- for player and horse. Anything creating a dangerous situation is ruled illegal and is penalized.

Horse
Unlike Polo, only one horse is allowed to play.  Changing horses is not permitted, except in cases of injury, when a substitute may be used.  Any type of horse can play.  There are no limits to the size, age, or breed.  Many people use Quarter Horses because the body type and natural agility of the breed enables the animal to meet the need for stopping, maneuvering, and quick speed.  There are stand out horses of all breeds playing, however, and some of the best known horses are not registered at all—they are just handy horses with willing attitudes.  For safety reasons, stallions and horses with vision problems are excluded from play.

Teams and Tournaments
A polocrosse club is a group of people who share an enthusiasm for this thrilling game. A club consists of one or more teams playing at various levels of skill, including special teams for those under the age of 21. Teams are comprised of two sections with three players in each. The player who wears number 1 is the primary offensive player and scores the goals. The number 2 is the "swing" player, playing both offense and defense in the middle of the field. The number 3's job is to defend the goal. The two sections alternate players in six or eight-minute periods or "chukkas." A typical match consists of four or six chukkas.
Players look forward to the weekend tournaments where they compete against teams at their level of play. Tournaments are a time of fellowship, learning and good old-fashioned fun.

Join the hundreds of riders across the country taking up this international sport. Polocrosse is for the entire family -- boys and girls, moms and dads, everyone from five to 75.

To learn more visit www.mnextreme.com or www.americanpolocrosse.org.  Contact the Minnesota Extreme Polocrosse Club’s President Kristi Johnson at plxmn@hotmail.com

Interested in seeing a polocrosse tournament?  Come out to the Chateau St Croix Winery and Vineyard September 20 & 21, visit www.chateaustcroix.com for directions.

(portions of this article were written by Jackie Schlotfeldt, Valencia County News-Bulletin)