Newspaper Article 2007 – Sport packed with action and speed

POLOCROSSE: It’s a fusion of rugby and badminton on horseback

Sport packed with action and speed

It’s ground-breakingly fast, requires strength and balance, and gets the adrenaline pumping.

It’s an equine thrill with a touch of rugby and badminton and it’s called polocrosse.

President Pete Salisbury took up polocrosse when he was 17.

“I tried pony club but it was too regimented for me, so for boys who wanted to relax and have fun with their horses polocrosse was the alternative,” he said.

In the 1970s it was a popular sport.

“A lot of shepherds and farmers were involved in the sport but now, thanks to motorbikes and quad bikes, there are less horses used on farms.”

He described the action-packed game as being like the racquet sport lacrosse, but on horseback.

“It’s a contact sport and it’s very exhilarating.

“There are more rules for safety and horse welfare reasons now but out of 90 riders at a carnival there might be only one or two riders displaced from saddles.”

Salisbury said that “the only time I have fallen off was when I was warming up my horse… touch wood.”

Riders can be as competitive as they like.

“We cover all grades of competition, there are five, six and seven-year-olds playing in their own grade, and their mothers and grandfathers play in others.

“You get slotted in to match your own ability, there are mixed teams and it’s a lot of social fun,” he said.

Or riders can just go along to practice days instead of travelling to family-orientated inter-club carnivals.

“We pack up everyone and head off for weekend trips.”

Potential players don’t need to be expert riders nor do they need more than one horse but a confident horse and rider combination is a must.

“It’s good to have a fit horse and speed is important but it’s not the main criteria for succeeding. Turning and stopping at speed can be learned.

“There is a team of six but only three playing on the field at any time.”

The club is having an open day on October 29 and people can have a go, no horse needed.

For information, see [www].nzpolocrosse.co.nz or phone Peter on 0-6-874 8683.

Photo caption – HANDS UP: Hastings Polocrosse Club’s Daniel Stirling (15) wins a lineout during a game against a King Country team “Kaitieke”.
HBTODAY PICTURE: WARREN BUCKLAND