UKPA Polocrosse Magazine 2010

UNITED KINGDOM MAGAZINE

Triple Strike ///

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Best Horse Nationals 2009 Ridden by Sophie Lodder

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Young Players needed,

How the new coaching qualification seeks to put young riders on the right course for success

an in depth analysis of the highs and lows of 2009

World Cup Preview

SPECIAL with global playing statistics from every IPC member

n of tio a c m li gdo ub Kin d sse ro t io n ia

An of f ic th e U i al p n P o ite l A ss oc oc

International

Š pauladayphotography.co.uk

Get your tickets now for the 2011 Polocrosse World Cup, hosted by the UK

Honorary Memberships

an in depth analysis of the highs and

Dave Brookes has served both the UKPA and Pony Club Polocrosse for many years. He was on the UKPA executive committee for fifteen years, ten of those as the chairman, and is currently still the chairman of the Pony Club polocrosse committee.

Tony Shearing has been a driving force in the growth of polocrosse in the UK right from the start . He has been on the UKPA committee over the years in various roles, including chairman, and is still very involved with coaching and growing polocrosse in the pony club today.

Chairman

Eric Jenkinson

01905 391537 chairman@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Chief Executive Officer Iain Heaton

07799 360439 ceo@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Young Players needed,

World Cup Preview Get your tickets now for the 2011 Polocrosse World Cup, hosted by the UK

Quinton Cornforth

treasurer@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

SPECIAL

P 34

with global playing statistics from every IPC member

Polocrosse from the 1950’s Polocrosse returns to the Cotswolds after 50 Years

Southern Region Rep Paul Rowden

07889 580425 southernrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Northern Region Rep Steve Whitehouse

northernrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Welsh Region Rep

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International

Jeff Parr

Treasurer

Editors Note:

How the new coaching qualification seeks to put young riders on the right course for success

Secretary 01443 208264 secretary@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

PX P29 P2

lows of 2009

The following have been awarded honorary life memberships from the UKPA in gratitude for the continual hard work on behalf of the sport.

P9

As this publication goes to press we regret to inform the membership that Mark Simkin, a stalwart supporter of UK polocrosse, has died at the age of 61. Mark contributed greatly to the sport for some 20 years of his life.

Eastern Regional Rep

He was especially keen to encourage younger players, organising inbound and outbound tours for UK Junior squads. It is to his credit that we have a New South Wales Team visiting our shores this year, and a sign of the deep friendships that he made in the sport that so many were willing to take up the burden of the tour after his passing.

01844 299299 easternrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.

welshrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Midland Regional Rep Simon Paynter

midlandrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk

Karen Smith

He will be missed.

U N I T E D K I N G D O M M AG A Z I N E

This is the first time I have edited a magazine. It has been an interesting challenge, and I can honestly say I have learnt more about polocrosse through the production of these pages than I have known after eight years of playing. This spring’s issue seeks to engage you, the reader, with the wider polocrosse community. From Australia to Ashfields, the Zambezi to the River Severn, there is something in these pages for you. I hope you will enjoy the articles that so many people have contributed, and forgive an amateur editor’s first few steps.

This season promises to be the most exciting so far. With the 2011 World Cup drawing nearer players will be seeking to improve their skills on the club stage.

At a Junior and Primary Junior Level there has been a huge expression of interest, encouraged by the Pony Club and the UKPA. There is huge hope for the future of the sport in the United Kingdom, a future that each member will help bring about.

I can only express my gratitude to everyone who has contributed and gone out of his or her way to make this publication a success. Thanks must go to Iain Heaton for his help, to Dan Duhig for his skills in graphic design, to the international community for answering my questions so promptly, and of course to everyone who wrote articles, large and small.

Enjoy the magazine, and good luck with the season!

John Whitehead

Contributors: Lucinda Cornforth, Sophie Lodder, Guy Robertson, Steve Whitehouse, Iain Heaton, Charlotte Pykett, Simon Paynter, Jason and Penny Webb, Ross Boisseau, Vickie Metcalfe, Annie Waterer, Mark Simkin, Ashley Burbidge, Emily-Kate Gilfillan, tony Shearing, Anna Kimber, Sarah Fleming, Christine Stansfield, Jan Jenkinson, Peter Whitehead, Karen Wilson-Smith and Debbie Harris. Apologies for any omissions.

Nationals Report A reminder of last year’s UKPA National Championships, it’s Triumphs and it’s Tragedies

The UKPA 2009 National Championships was meant to be the culmination of a season’s rivalry, and an opportunity to settle old scores. Sadly, for the players in our top two divisions this was not meant to be.

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This year’s Nationals was marred by the tragic deaths of two horses, Tina and Lauren Lee, both of whom suffered from broken legs during the course of the tournament and had to be put down. Out of respect, the A-grade final, due to be fought between Arden and Highlanders, did not go ahead.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

There was also no B-Grade final, which was due to be fought between two Pennine teams. Pennine felt they did not want to play against their own club mates, given what had already happened, and so there was a lack of top-level final day matches that have so very often characterised our seasons’ finales in the past.

Yet, in many ways the concern expressed for their horses’ welfare and the respect shown to the lost horses, which was put far before any personal ambition, shows polocrosse in it’s true light. This is a sport that prizes its horses above personal rivalries. Simon Paynter, owner of Tina, urged people to look at the deaths in the wider context of the sport. Simon reminded us that polocrosse has a great equine safety record, urging us all to see the death of Tina and Lauren Lee as two tragic accidents.

A gritty determination was on everyone’s faces to make the Nationals a success, despite the lack of play in the higher grades. The lower levels continued to play their final day matches. The games that took place on Sunday harked back to a time, not so long ago, when polocrosse was full of younger, fresher faces. We still saw our older idols on the field, but rather than playing they were shouting encouragement to younger brothers, keen daughters and fellow club members. If there was ever a time to be proud of our sport it was whilst the finals of our C, D,

E, Juniors and Primary Juniors were decided.

Ambition and rivalry were forgotten as everyone endeavoured to have a good time, beginners learning from their mentors, and mentors s taking their clubs’ reputation on the skills of their students.

The lack of play in two grades pales to insignificance when we see the success of the other five. Crowds, who would normally have gathered to watch an A-grade final were focused on the outcome of the C-Grade. Rivalries had not disappeared after all. In a hard fought battle the C-Grade was eventually won by Celyn, 14 goals to 13; Ashfields coming a narrow second in a game that gripped everyone’s attention from start to finish. Replacing names such names as Guy Robertson and Sophie Lodder were the younger ones of Simon Amor and Olivia Foley; future idols replacing the names of our big stars, giving them a taste of the limelight.

The D-Grade final was fought between two of our biggest clubs, Kent and Arden. They too did not fail to create a close and tense final with Kent just pulling out in front in the final two chukkas. Special mention must go to Bob Sherwood in his role as Kent number three.

Vale Impi succeeded in finishing their first season with a bang, winning in the E-Grade, Welsh Dragons coming runners-up. With both teams having many newcomers taking part it

was good to see many of their older club mates supporting from the side of the pitch. In the end Vale Impi picked up most accolades, Katy Long winning Best Lady Player and Chris Chennels Best Male Player.

In the Juniors the young talent of Arden just overcame White Horse, who are another new club this year and who, like Vale Impi, have had a good initial season, with a number of wins in the Juniors. The Primary Juniors was contested

by Pennine and Arden and it was Pennine who emerged victorious. Special mention must go to Max Pedley who has taken Primary Juniors by storm this year, deserving his feature in our Young Guns article.

Triumph was rescued from disaster. A huge thank you must come from everyone who played in the tournament to the host club Ashfields. Chairman Martin Verhagen deserves our gratitude for mobilizing a fantastic team of helpers to create what turned out to be a well-run, action packed and enjoyable time for the vast majority of us.

I think I speak to all of us when I say I’m looking forward to a fantastic 2010 season. With old rivalries still hanging in the air and scores to settle we can expect an action packed time ahead.

John Whitehead

Results

A

1st: Not Awarded 2nd: Not Awarded

Best No.1: Hamish Michael (Arden) Best No.2: Luke Mathie (Highlanders) Best No.3: Sophie Lodder (Arden)

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B

1st: Not Awarded 2nd: Not Awarded

Best No. 1: Joel Sics (Pennine) Best No. 2: Tom Beney (Kent) Best No. 3: Sarah Peaker (Pennine)

Best Pony: Triple Strike, Sophie Lodder (Arden)

Best Pony: Papoose, Sarah Peaker (Pennine)

Best Lady Player: Sophie Lodder (Arden) Best Male Player: Hamish Michael (Arden)

Best Lady Player: Sarah Peaker (Pennine) Best Male Player: Joel Sics (Pennine)

1st: Celyn

2nd: Ashfields Best No.1: Tom Bowden-Eyre (Vale Impi) Best No.2: Olivia Foley (Ashfields) Best No.3: Emily-Kate Gilfillan (Pennine)

D

Best Pony: Looksharp, Sarah Newell (Arden)

Best Lady Player: Olivia Foley (Ashfields) Best Male Player: Tom Bowden-Eyre (Vale Impi)

1st: Vale Impi 2nd: Welsh Dragons

Best No.1: Henry Christiansen (Vale Impi) Best No.2: Chris Chennels (Vale Impi) Best No.3: Dawn Goodfellow (Welsh Dragons) Best Pony: Mango, ridden by Katie Long, owned

by Neil Smith (Vale Impi)

1st: Kent 2nd: Arden

Best No.1: Hannah Fletcher (Solent) Best No.2: Barry Amor (Celyn) Best No.3: Bob Sherwood (Kent)

Best Pony: Bailey, Alex Rowley (Pennine)

E

Best Lady Player: Hannah Fletcher (Solent) Best Male Player: Barry Amor (Celyn)

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1st: Arden 2nd: White Horse

Best No.1: James Stansfield (White Horse) Best No.2: Thea Lloyd Jones (White Horse) Best No.3: Katie Newbrook (Pegasus Croome) Best Pony: Tia, Kate Newbrook

(Pegasus Croome)

Best Lady Player: Katie Long (Vale Impi) Best Male Player: Chris Chennels (Vale Impi)

PJ

1st: Pennine 2nd: Arden

Best No.1: Max Pedley (Pennine) Best No.2: Josie Cameron (Arden) Best No.3: Katie Kitchen-Dunn (Pennine) Best Pony: Gilly, Max Pedley (Pennine)

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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National Club Champions

C

Champions

E

Champions

Rosie Miller, Olivia Miller, Amy Miller, Amy Clay, John Marsland, Simon Amor

Katy Long, Lydia Rampkin, Chris Chennells, Susan Hendy, Jack Bull, Harriet Price

D

PJ

Champions Lizzie Felce, Jen Lonsdale, Bob Sherwood, Rachel Imber, Peter Fielden

Bertie Cornforth, Max Pedley, Katie Kitchen, Dunn, Cloe Jowett, Charlotte Cameron, Amy Harper

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Sponsored By

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Champions

Tasha Mason, Louie Cornforth, David Baker, Libby Tyler, Jess Hunt & Alice Zawoda

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Annual Ball Highlights from the UKPA Ball and Season Awards

The 2009 season Playing Awards were made at the UKPA ball, hosted by Arden Polocrosse Club at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The ball was an excellent occasion that went on until the early hours of the morning.

Big Agenda, band of former UK captain Jason Burbidge and effectively polocrosse’s house band, kept everyone dancing until they dropped. With a reputation for having a membership comprised almost solely of party people, the ball was an opportunity to boogey on down without the threat of breathalyzers stopping play in the morning.

A whole host of polocrosse players, families and friends took full advantage of the evening, dancing the night away in what was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We must thank Arden and Big Agenda for the great show that they put on, and for communicating the atmosphere of their renowned clubhouse onto a larger stage.

Some people drove their horseboxes to the park and took full advantage of a free night’s sleep, whilst others delved into their wallets and paid to stay at one of the numerous hotels nearby. Sitting around the bar of the Stoneleigh Park Hotel were the final stray party goers, sipping rum and cokes in true polocrosse fashion, just waiting to be told by the barman that it was time to go to bed. The final end to an action packed season closed the following morning with numerous goodbyes and promises to see each other soon.

We must not forget the main focus of the Ball, and that was to congratulate all those that had surpassed themselves that season. All the different heroes of the polocrosse community were paraded before a well-fed audience to receive their accolades. Young and old received prizes for their contribution to UK polocrosse.

AWARDS The Charles Mason Trophy for a non-exec members who has done a great deal for polocrosse – Helen Hodgetts The Minto Strover Trophy For an under 16 who has been a great ambassador for their sport – Tom Bowden Eyre The Chapple Shield For the most improved player – Will Halcrow The Laura Millington Trophy – Layla Henshaw

The Jock Kay Memorial Trophy For the horse of the season

– Triple Strike (Sophie Lodder) The Player’s Player Award

– Sarah Simkin The Janet Jones Memorial Shield For the Main League – Arden The Polocrosse Extreme Cup For the league adjusted for size – Solent

Best Numbers for the Season: Ladies’s Number 1 – Charlotte Pykett Ladies’ Number 2 -

Sarah Simkin

Ladies’ Number 3 –

Sophie Lodder

Men’s Number 1 –

Guy Robertson

Men’s Number 2 –

Rob Jenkinson

Men’s Number 3 –

Jason Webb

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

5

R OBERTSON

HORSETRAINING

Stud - Gest Top Gun (2006)

Guy Robertson Guy is one of the country’s leading Polocrosse Players, having represented the UK on every occasion since 2003, and is the current UK captain. With a wealth of experience and ability Guy is the perfect option whatever your Polocrosse need:

Polocrosse and Horsemanship Coaching / Clinics / Lessons

Polocrosse and Horsemanship Demonstrations

Re-Training of Horses for Polocrosse

‘the smartest and softest horse I have ever worked with’ - Guy Robertson

GEST TOP GUN is bred for polocrosse and counts a number of the best ponies ever to grace a UK polocrosse field in his family tree including Cindy Lee, Little Miss Muffet, Lauren Lee, Triple Strike and Patsy Lee to name but a few.

Starting Horses and Re Training of horses with Behavioural problems Pre Season and Holiday fitness/training Pony Sales / Pony finding Service / Pony Hire for all Tournaments Contact us now and book your mare in for 2010

‘A HORSE DOESNT LEARN FROM PRESSURE, HE LEARNS FROM THE RELEASE’

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DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY CREATIVEI DESIGN EMAIL: info@creativei-design.co.uk

Training Guy Robertson teaches us a few training techniques to get our horses moving this summer

By Guy Robertson

© danielduhig.co.uk

Maintaining Momentum “A good Polocrosse horse should always be going somewhere” Stopping and turning a horse takes a lot out of them physically and also results in a loss of forward momentum allowing opposition players to get back in position and block your progress. Rather than stopping, players should look to run circles in a bid to keep their horses moving without the energy sapping stops and turns.

The following exercises help to teach and improve your horse’s ability to tighten their circles and maintain that forward momentum.

Exercise 1

Place a cone or marker of some kind in the centre of your arena or wherever you are able to ride.

Start by circling your horse around the cone in a large circle at a trot. Then begin to reduce the size of your circle until you’re about 6ft away and let you horse drift out back onto the large circle.

Repeat this 3 or 4 times and then repeat on the other rein.

As your horse becomes used to this exercise, circle closer to the marker. The important thing is that your horse maintains forward momentum throughout.

Once proficient at the trot try it at a canter, again gradually making the circle smaller without losing momentum or changing pace.

Exercise 2

Place two markers 4 ft apart acting as goal posts then place another marker 20-30 metres away.

Stand by the goal posts and throw out a polocrosse ball anywhere you like.

Trot out and collect the ball and then take it to the other cone, circle tightly around this once before moving back to the goal and throwing it through.

Repeat this exercise by throwing the ball to the opposite side and circling around the cone in the other direction.

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Once mastered at the trot then move on to the canter.

Variations

Get someone to throw the ball for you as if in a line out.

Place two cones and circle around one, then the other before taking your horse to goal.

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Humble Beginnings The Foundations of a Sport

were the Schaefers, who were to be instrumental in encouraging the sport in Essex.

Polocrosse owes its foundations to its founding families. Brookes, Schaefer, Shearing, Jenkinson, Chapple, Bell, Robertson and Waterer are but a few of the names that live on in the sport today.

It is thanks to these families and a multitude of others that the sport has become as popular as it is.

There are many individuals who have contributed to the growth of the sport, but in seeking it’s beginning we must ultimately come to Tony Shearing, who essentially founded polocrosse in the UK in 1987. Ever since he has acted in the capacities of Chief Umpire, Head of Coaching and Chairman. This is someone who literally wrote the rulebook, drafted the first constitution and instructed many of the A-grade players we enjoy watching today.

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Tony first arrived in the UK in 1986 from South Africa. Whilst working for his company Project Office Furniture, near his home in Saffron Walden, he discovered he had a boss desperate to take up the sport of trotting. In a move that would be critical for the development of the sport Tony persuaded his equine-minded superior to take up a game that he had played in his youth. Polocrosse thus gained its two most avid fans, soon to be joined by a small group of others who rode weekly nearby at Carver Barracks. When asked what ambitions Tony had for the sport when he first founded his Sunday polocrosse team he replied:

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“I just wanted some exercise for myself, I had weak knees and polocrosse was the one sport I could still enjoy playing” It wasn’t long until Tony’s children: Jess, Rebecca and Simon began to play, and it was at this stage in the summer of 1987 that Tony began coaching in Essex Hunt North Pony Club. Among his pupils

The first tournament to be held on British soil was held in the summer of 1988. It was to be a showpiece of what polocrosse could be in the future. With the financial backing of Tony’s company, foreign players were horsed to play in an exhibition match that ran alongside the pony club games. He and some of his more able polocrosse friends played against some good players from Zimbabwe and South Africa, inevitably resulting in the mix-match UK side being soundly beaten!

Yet, for the young pony clubbers, within who’s ranks contained much smaller versions of our present A-graders, it was a demonstration of skill that inspired them and set a benchmark for their improvement. It was suddenly seen as possible to pick up a ball at a canter, to throw, catch and score at speed, polocrosse as the rest of the world new it had entered the United Kingdom.

In 1990 Tony, his wife Caroline and his three children moved to Worcestershire. They joined the Ludlow Pony Club and continued in their promotion of the sport. With the help of Gennifer Malden, DC of the Ludlow branch, the Pony Club made polocrosse an official discipline. Tony, Gennifer and a few others became passionate about the game growing into a recognised sport.

In looking at countries such as Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa they saw a sport that had taken sixty years to grow to it’s then current state. The idea was to do this in the UK within ten years.

It was at this time that the structure of the constitution and polocrosse on a national scale began to take form. Taking inspiration from the Australian system the first constitution created a Midland Polocrosse Club, to become Midlands Region, split into a number of smaller clubs that were to recruit players from their specific areas.

Many of these clubs were originally only comprised of one or two families, but it was the job of these families to find others to join with them and form teams. In this way a number of clubs were laid

out in a single day, promoting the sport across the region and creating a sense of competition that is necessary for the growth of any sport.

What is remarkable about this first constitution was its foresight. Many of these clubs still exist today within the Midland Region. Rather than having a single Midland Polocrosse Club it was up to the, Shearings, Jenkinsons, Bells, Simkins, Lodders and each individual player to encourage the sport in their own areas. Once a club reached a certain size it was encouraged to split, thereby creating an ever-increasing level of competition in the Midlands.

The Original Clubs: Centaur: still playing today Vulcan’s: the predecessor of Arden Polocrosse Club, Warwickshire Pegasus: still playing today Sagittarius Unicorn The individuals who helped encourage this growth must not be forgotten. Without people like Gennifer Malden, there would have been little support at a grass-roots level. It was with the help of Gennifer that more people became involved in polocrosse through the Pony Club.

Thanks to her efforts there was always a pool of willing youngsters wanting to take up the game.

In honour of her contribution she became Life President of the UKPA. Jeff Bell, father of Bobby Bell, organised almost every Midland Camp for 10 years. It was through training days like those at the Midland Camp that the standard of play within the UK began to increase. With coaches such as Neville Gilpin from Australia teaching an altogether different riding style to previous Pony Club trainers, Mothers were encouraged to throw out old pellums and gags and rely on snaffles and good riding. Stock saddles and cotton reins began to appear on every child’s Christmas wish list.

By 1994 and the first Inter-regional tournament Polocrosse had become an established equestrian sport. For six years Tony Shearing had been

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

chief, and often sole umpire, at many of the tournaments, but by this time others had reached sufficient competence to take over in these roles.

In 1995 he took on the position of Chairman.

Through the committee’s efforts the UKPA became a full member of the International Polocrosse Council (IPC). Polocrosse on the world stage was fast becoming more of a reality. At that same meeting of the IPC in 1995, the UKPA proposed the holding of the first Polocrosse World Cup to be held five years from then to coincide with the millennium.

Imagine 30 teams from 10 countries; 200 world class players meeting for one month in June/July 2000 for the first Polocrosse World Cup. A UK Polocrosse Centre, in a place like Wimbledon, will provide a central venue for match play. Ten pitches with continuous play will spotlight the best the world has to offer in Polocrosse talent. Imagine ten thousand spectators, over the course of the event, moving from pitch to pitch to follow the play in men’s, women’s, intermediate and junior division.

From the first round play through the quarter and semi finals, culminating in final’s play and the presentation of the first Polocrosse World Cup. (Extract from IPC Report 4th December 1995) The UK had hosted numerous tours already, fostering close links with it’s Southern Hemisphere inspirations, but sadly this Polocrosse Wimbledon, to be held in commemoration of the millennium, failed to materialise. This is not to say it’s legacy does not still live on today. Next year, after just over twenty years of Polocrosse in the UK we are holding the Polocrosse World Cup. Such an achievement after so little time must be attributed to the dreams of the founding members of the UKPA. In aiming for the sky they succeeded in forcing the world to take British polocrosse seriously.

It would be impossible to name everyone who has played a part in promoting the sport, because in truth anyone who plays the game is important in it’s evolution. The last ten years have seen new names and new families take over the roles that the founders laid out. The baton has been passed to a younger generation. It is our duty to the sport we love to continue its promotion and ensure its survival in the years to come.

Whether you are fourteen or forty, pony club or A-Grade player, you too can play a part in the future of the King of the One Horse Sports.

John Whitehead

Polocrosse Returns to the Cotswolds AGAIN! At the turn of the millennium Cotswold Polocrosse Club was one of the strongest clubs in the UK boasting a significant membership. However over the last eight years the club became largely noncompetitive with the only remaining members being Mike and Rosie Pearce keeping the name alive.

At the end of the 2009 season Jono Keen and myself decided to return home and reestablish the club for 2010. With the help of Luke Mathie, and a number of others we now have our own grounds at Jono’s family farm and are preparing to host our first tournament in 10 years.

We thought we were bringing polocrosse back to the Cotswolds after its 8 year absence, but little did we know that Polocrosse had been played here long before we ever stepped foot in the world let alone on a horse. Jono’s Aunt, Joanna, was helping out at a local nursing home when she was telling one particular lady there, Joan Franklin, about her nephews work in setting up a polocrosse club at their farm. To this, Joan promptly announced that she used to play polocrosse locally when she was younger. Joanna, disregarded this, thinking she must be confusing Polocrosse with Polo, but when she followed it up Joan produced the photo above, of her and her team when she was 18, about play near Avening, just a

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

few miles grounds now!

away

from

our

club

Now Joan is in her Eighties so this was certainly sometime ago, it seems polocrosse was more popular in the UK than we first thought.

Hopefully we can do them proud and have a successful first year back and host a fantastic tournament. Hope to see you all there.

Danny Duhig

9

the The trip started with a flight from London to San Francisco and then onto Sydney, a total of 28 hours flying time. A long way I can assure you!

After arriving in Sydney we collected two mini busses and travelled five hours to Tumut, which was to be the site of our training camp. When we arrived we were very warmly welcomed by Doug and Irene Webb at their farm Silver Hills.

The farm is nestled amongst a small range of hills that are covered on one side by Gum Trees. They have a fabulous bark of silver and beige with a light mint green leaf that shimmers in the breeze giving a silver effect. It was dry and when I say dry I mean really dry! We rode in the morning of the second day all around the tree covered hills and even large branches on the ground cracked into pieces when the horses trod on them.

We were able to ride Doug’s young stock and had our first practice in the afternoon. It was a gentle affair but everyone was glad to be riding.

The next part of our trip is really quite famous now, but the journey wasn’t all bad and I would like to talk about the good times we enjoyed as well as the misfortune we suffered.

found this, but it is safe to say that it will never be forgotten. Camping under the stars that evening in a swag bag was an interesting experience but it was made more bearable by Bundy Rum and Banjo’s amazing cooking.

In the morning there was time for one more trek.

Jason and Guy still flushed with success at having caught a brumbie the day before thought there might be one more to be had. There was.

By lunchtime we were keen to see what else was in store for us. Leaving the horses safely camped, Doug took us all in the pick-up to see an old cattle station. We then went down to a small waterfall where it was a lot greener and full of lizards and other creatures. Guy and I were walking by the river, the girls investigating some caves, when a long, black poisonous snake slithered over Guy’s boot and behind me. I would like to say we were cool, calm and collected, but that wouldn’t be true!

We returned to our campsite in the pickup to get ready to leave, all the horses were loaded up and off we went.

This is a part of the story that many of you might have heard about. The sun was out and the The Team and I went to the Snowy Mountains. We weather very warm, we thought about what a took eleven horses, two trucks and one pick-up. great time we’d had as we left the campsite and The journey took about 2 hours to get from Tumut began heading back to Tumut. Jason had five to the National Park where horses and three people in his Sarah jumped out truck. They got onto Long Plain we were going to go Brumby Chasing; this is where a group Road and the living door flew to close the door of riders chase wild horses and open. Sarah jumped out to close try to catch them. However, but was shocked to the door but was shocked to before reaching the National find the living on find the living on fire! There was Park we had to travel into the just enough time to get 5 horses mountains on the aptly named fire! There was just out of the burning truck; the last Long Plain Road. We had a enough time to get horse was lead out as the flames blow out on one of the front were coming into the horse area.

5 horses out of the We managed to get everyone out tyres on Pat’s truck. Once we had jacked it up (with 5 horses safely but it was not possible to burning truck! in) we established that the save the truck. Every single one spare was as flat as the blown tyre. Whilst waiting of the team worked frantically to contain the fire for the situation to be resolved some stick work and eventually put it out. We were all very sad for was practised amongst the team (never stop Patrick who had worked hard to afford his truck, practising!). After we changed tyres with the other but at least he has the mother of all stories to tell. truck and made it to our destination we made We will never hear the last of it! camp. It was then time to head out on horse back into the National Park, 1.5 million acres in size, The fire appears to have been caused by a gas with kangaroos, wild pigs and of course Brumbies! build up from the fridge, which must have ignited and set light to the surrounding fixtures. It has Mobs (as they call the herds) take many different made us realise how sensible it would be to make sizes. Most we saw were comprised of three or sure we carry a fire extinguisher in the future. We four horses, but we saw one as large as fifteen. lost 3 saddles (Martin, Greg and Guys) and a load Everyone had a great time, aided I’m sure when of gear; it was a very painful experience. my horse ‘Flavour’ stumbled on the rough ground resulting in me having a minor fall. I don’t think it Our coach Ross Turnbull arrived to help us at is possible to communicate how funny everyone Silver Hills. He is a very experienced player >>

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U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

inside story

© Steve Whitehouse

quads 2009

The quadrangular series took place last year in Mittagong, Australia. Teams from Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and New Zealand fought it out to be labelled as the victors of this prestigious tournament between the four best polocrosse playing nations on the planet. What we often don’t realise about many tournaments of such a level is the story behind the scenes. Teams do not suddenly materialise thousands of miles away ready to play. Steve Whitehouse recalls the story behind the quads in this particularly memorable experience of Australia.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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The Tournament and we were delighted to have him work with us. It is very difficult to write about coaching but I hope this sums up Ross’s approach. Trust yourself to keep the ball and only pass when it is safe, don’t call out, use eye contact and NEVER MISS. We worked at Silver Hills till April 9th then it was time to collect our stuff and move up to the Quads at Bowral. It was a four hour drive to Bowral and the RSL club at Mittagong, which was to be our base for the next couple of weeks.

After a very pleasant lunch break with a massive Stone Merino sheep we got to the motel. After a long signing-in process we settled in for the night.

It was agreed that the Friday [10th] before we got the horses would be a fun day; that of course meant the beach!

It was one hour to Kiama, which was a very pleasant seaside town. The beach wasn’t large but was sandy, sunny and quiet. The surf was great and we all had a swim and a relaxing time.

Saturday saw the horses drawn from the pool.

Teams get pulled out of a hat, then that team selects a particular pool of horses, South Africa got A, UK got B, NZ got C and Australia got D.

© danielduhig.co.uk

Our riding session was at 2.00 pm. This first session was not with rackets, but was a time for quiet riding in order to introduce everyone to their pool of horses. The summary of the following few days went as follows: 6.30 am walk the horses, 2 pm work the horses, 5pm feed and walk the horses again. There was only one hour a day to practice on horseback so we did quite a few sessions on foot. By the end of the week we were ready to battle it out on the polocrosse field.

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9, a large enough margin to make it possible if we beat New Zealand. Sadly, it just didn’t work out for us.

On our final day, we played for third and fourth place against South Africa. It was cold, rainy and miserable, but nearly all our horses had made it through so we were feeling quite positive. The game was desperately close, the South Africans were leading till the fourth chukka, but we started to come back. We were in the lead in the final chukka when at 17-16 they managed to score one more goal. At 17-17 the match went to golden goal and unfortunately South Africa scored it.

The other final, Australia v New Zealand was a very one-sided affair with Australia coming out as the clear winners of the Quad Series.

I would like to thank all the players for making the trip such a memorable event. Our coach, Ross, is a fantastic guy and what he knows about polocrosse is amazing. We were very fortunate to have him on our side and he brought new life to our game. Knowing what I know now, if there is ever another tour overseas out of our season it is essential for the team to play at least one, if not two real tournaments before the Internationals.

Match sharpness cannot be practised; you’re either sharp or not. We played and worked hard but we were just not quite there. Congratulations must go to Australia, they were simply on another level.

With the World Cup drawing nearer it will be essential to sharpen up our polocrosse and endeavour to enter onto the same level as our Southern Hemisphere rivals.

Steve Whitehouse Open Team Manager

On Thursday against South Africa we just didn’t quite get up to speed. With too many silly mistakes, everyone said we beat ourselves. Second up was Australia on Friday. We got beaten, but everyone saw how jumpy we made them! Finally we had to play New Zealand. Strangely, we still had a chance for the final. Australia had beaten South Africa 31-

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

The World Cup

Tickets now on sale…

Polocrosse World Cup Bishop Burton College, North Yorkshire How to lend horses for the Polocrosse World Cup: Contact Penny Webb on 01580 211662 or email auststockhorses@aol.com / worldcup2011horses@hotmail.com

TICKETS

Participating Countries:

If bought before the end of May 2010 you can buy whole event tickets (Member tickets) for the promotional price of £100 (at event value of £170) for the 10-day event, 8th – 17th July 2011.

Australia New Zealand Zambia South Africa

Under 10’s go free to the daytime event.

Benefits for lending a horse/s to the Polocrosse World Cup 2011 include:

Member and day ticket holders will receive 20% off the cost of supporting events (usually in the evenings and will incur separate charges, not included in Member or day ticket cost).

* Transport costs * Horse care expenses * 1 free ticket (at event vaule £170) per horse for whole event (excl supporting events), to a maximum of 2 tickets

From 1st June – 31st December 2010, Member tickets will go up to £135.

* Insurance, £5000 vets fees, £5000 loss of horse

From 1st January 2011 they will then go up to £150.

* Entry into ‘Owners prize draw’ * World Cup rug * Entry into schedule and For Sale catalogue if required ** Funding may be applied for by those owners providing 3 or more horses. Funding is subject to strict controls and will not automatically be given, please get in touch to discuss further.

Friday 8th

Saturday 9th

Sunday 10th

** To reserve your tickets, and to find out payment methods (can be by cash, cheque or bank transfer), please contact polocrosse2011@yahoo.co.uk **

Monday 11th

Tuesday 12th

United Kingdom Zimbabwe United States of America Ireland

Participating Countries in Polocrosse International Challenge 2011: Ireland France Holland Norway

United Kingdom Germany Canada United Arab Emirates

Contact To get in touch to discuss your involvement in the Polocrosse World Cup 2011, whether that be as an exhibitor, demonstrator, sponsor, or to buy tickets, please contact polocrosse2011@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday Thursday 13th 14th

Friday 15th

Saturday 16th

Sunday 17th

£15 £25 £25 £10 £10 £10 £10 £15 £25 £25 World Cup Polocrosse day, demonstrations and (supporting events)

World Cup Polocrosse day, demonstrations and (supporting events)

World Cup Polocrosse day, demonstrations and (supporting events)

Other events, including Pony club polocrosse, International Challenge and (supporting events)

Other events, including Pony club polocrosse, International Challenge and (supporting events)

Other events, including Pony club polocrosse, International Challenge and (supporting events)

Other events, including Pony club polocrosse, International Challenge and (supporting events)

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

World Cup Polocrosse day, demonstrations and (supporting events)

World Cup Polocrosse day, demonstrations and (supporting events)

World Cup Polocrosse day, demonstrations and (supporting events)

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Name: Matt Smith Age: 12 Handicap: 5 Club: Vale Impi Polocrosse Horse: Spooks

Matt Smith

Mentors: Neil Smith and Sophie Lodder Favourite Player: Hamish Michael

Awards and Tournament Record for 2009: Last year was Matt’s second year of riding and playing polocrosse. Matt had great success last year considering he broke his hand half way through the season, thereby missing some of the most important tournaments. Not only did he manage to win in E-division in the first tournament of the season but he also managed to scoop up two Best Numbers and finish the season playing in C-grade at the National Championships. Not bad for a 12 year old! Matt was awarded Bomber Nel’s Most Outstanding U14 Player’s award at the end of season UKPA Ball and selected for the U16 UK squad for 2010. We’ll be sure to see a lot more of Matt this coming season playing in C-Grade for Vale Impi, and hopefully in the Junior National team as they face an incoming tour from New South Wales.

Aims for next year: “I really want to get

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Tom Bowden-Erye

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

into the U16 team this year and to win the U14 prize again. I’d like to play a 3 in one tournament. I’d like to play in a section with my Mum and Dad.”

Name: Tom Bowden-Eyre Handicap: 7

Age: 16 Club: Vale Impi Horse: Mardi Lee Mentor: Neil Smith Favourite Player: Trent Mortimer (Australian, NSW)

List of awards: Tom spent a month of last year in New South Wales, Australia with the U16 Junior team. Whilst out there he played in a number of tournaments, culminating in coming second, along with Layla Henshaw, in the New South Wales Zone Championships. Tom outdid himself at last years’ National Championships, winning Best Number One and Best Male Player in C-Grade. At the end of season UKPA Ball Tom was awarded the Minto Strover Trophy for an U16 who has been a great ambassador to the sport, a true indicator of the quality of his conduct whilst representing the UK abroad.

Aims for 2010: “I would like to improve my game and play up a level in the B-Grade. I hope to do this whilst playing with my club: Vale Impi.”

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Young Guns Polocrosse Magazine takes a closer look at the A-Grade players of tomorrow

Age: 16

Handicap: 2 Club: Pennine

Handicap: 3

Horse: Gilly and Mancha

Club: Arden

Mentors: Guy Robertson and Alex Rowley

Horse: Bushpig

Favourite Players: Guy Robertson and Jason Webb

Mentors: Tom Simkin and Jason Burbidge Favourite Player: Sophie Lodder

Awards and Tournament Record for 2009:

Awards and Tournament Record for 2009:

Max has an impressive tournament record, winning two tournaments this year at Junior and one at Primary Junior levels. Victories also include winning at the National Championships and the Pony Club Championships. Whilst his team has been hugely successful, individually Max has won Best Number One five times, with his pony Gilly winning Best Horse twice. Undoubtedly, Max Pedley will be one of the polocrosse stars to look out for in the future.

Layla has played twice and won twice on UK turf as a member of the U16 junior squad; at Doncaster and at Arden in where she also won Best Number One. Whilst on tour with the UK U16’s team Layla played in Australia at the New South Wales Zone Championships coming a highly respectable second in one of the toughest polocrosse tournaments in the world. At the UK Nationals Layla’s club team from Arden came third. Layla was awarded the Laura Millington Trophy at the end of season UKPA Ball, well done and wpell deserved!

Aims for next year: “Next season I aim get going on my new horse and hopefully get selected for the 2011 Junior squad to represent the UK. At the moment I just enjoy playing with my teammates in Pennine.”

Max Pedley

Aims for next year: Layla hopes to be picked for the U21 UK squad.

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

Name: Max Pedley Age: 11

Layla Henshaw

Test Reports Ladies

Captains Guy Robertson and Debbie Harris talk about the Open teams’ epic battle last year against South Africa at Ashfields Polocrosse Club 2009

Kerry Bean Debbie Harris (C) Sophie Lodder Charlotte Pykett

Lucy Shell Sarah Simkin Annie Waterer

United Kingdom

UK 17-19 SA

v

UK 22-18 SA

Ladies’ Captain’s Report: With some old scores to settle and some new and returning players in the After discussing where we lost the game that evening we knew we needed to team we were determined to make our mark. The ladies team set sail to sharpen up. The main areas we talked about were the number of loose balls sunny Ashfields a week before the first test was due to and missed goals. Sunday morning we were pumped, start. Our main aim of the week was to bond as a team. focused and hungry. With a score to settle and a point There were a few early to prove we won the first two chukkas, South Africa won Very few of us had played together before, we needed to get to know each other and learn from our coach 3rd and 4th and by the end of the 5th we were even falls in the week, not to the Doug Webb who had travelled all the way from Australia at 11-11. We began to put pressure on South Africa and mention some of the gradually took hold of the game. We managed to win by to coach us. It was apparent fairly early on that good friendships were being formed and more importantly meanest bruises I have 22 goals to18 making the series a draw. trust in each other as Polocrosse players was being ever seen. developed. Our days consisted of mounted practices Thanks must go to Steve Whitehouse our manager, where we would concentrate on tactics, line outs, your enthusiasm never let us down! To Doug Webb, player’s positions and section combinations. There were our coach, for travelling all the way round the world and a few early falls in the week, not to mention some of the meanest bruises I sharing your knowledge, experience and raw emotions with us! Finally to the have ever seen. Mainly given out by Sarah, Kerry and various tangles! It was team, who as always shown that the UK fights to the end and never gives up! obvious we meant business.

Well done. Debbie Harris – UK Ladies Captain 2009

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

By Friday we were as prepared as we could be; even though we had nursed a few horses and players through the week, fingers were crossed they would make it through Saturday’s games.

Saturday came and so did the nerves. We had our final team talk from Doug and the games began. We started off well, but by the 3rd chukka we had lost one of our strongest horses and were chasing the game, so that by the end of the 4th chukka we were trailing 5–11. We managed to come fighting back at the South African girls winning the 5th 5-2, but by the end of the 7th chukka we were still trailing 13-17. We were working hard for each of our goals, showing true British fighting spirit by winning the final chukka 4-2 and putting the South Africans under pressure to hold onto their lead. The first game went to South Africa 17-19 but we knew that such a small goal difference would make Sunday’s game the true battle of wills.

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U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Test Reports Guy Robertson (C) James Robertson Jason Webb

Captains Guy Robertson and Debbie Harris talk about the Open teams’ epic battle last year against South Africa at Ashfields Polocrosse Club 2009

MEN

vs

Martin Brookes Danny Duhig Jono Keen Hamish Michael

SOUTH AFRICA

UK 20-22 SA

UK 20-23 SA

Men’s Captain’s Report: 2009 saw a young South African side descend on the UK to play two men’s tests at Ashfield’s Polocrosse Club in Essex. With Australian Ross Turnbull as coach a strong side was selected to try and put the young South Africans in their place.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the team, to offer our sincere thanks to our Manager Steve Whitehouse and our Coaches Ross Turnbull and Doug Webb for all their efforts. I would also like to thank Dave and Sue Brookes and Helen Hodgetts for feeding us all week and to all those who helped look after the horses. Guy Robertson – UK Mens Captain 2009

The team arrived into camp at Ashfields on the Monday before the weekend of the Tests. Final preparations began to get us ready to face South Africa for the start of the tests the following Saturday. First off we had to draw horses from the pool, the week then consisted of official functions, training on foot and riding the pool horses, as well as a number of spares in order to get us sharp and ready.

Both tests hung in the balance with both teams Both tests hung in the throughout producing some good, hard balance throughout fought Polocrosse. Whilst the UK side produced two consistent with both teams performances, the South Africans producing some good, were faster in the line-outs and loose balls and as a result hard fought Polocrosse. onto dominated possession; Nico Van Wyk and Andrew Heynes produced some of the South Africans best Polocrosse. However, the scores remained tight in both tests, to think that for a couple of decisions going differently we may have seen a better result. Congratulations to South Africa on their much deserved victory.

Unfortunately, we did not get the results we wanted but the occasion gave some of our younger players the experience needed to compete at the highest level, and there is no doubt in my mind that it will not be long before we are beating these sides on a regular basis. Congratulations to Jason Webb who was awarded player of the series and also Jono Keen who put in two outstanding performances and will certainly be a player to watch out for.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

With preparations having gone to plan everyone was looking forward to getting out and playing the first test, with the added bonus of knowing it was being filmed for Sky TV.

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Test Reports

JUNIORS

UK NSW in

Emily-Kate Gilfillan (C)) Ashleigh Burbidge Layla Henshaw Olivia Miller Olivia Foley Jonathan Swift Richard Felce Tom Bowden-Eyre

Tour Manager’s Report by Mark Simkin: After a winter and spring working with the junior squad, our departure from Heathrow on 20th.July came around all too quickly.

After some hasty farewells, the parents all seemed happy to see the children progress through passport control. At last our trip was well and truely under way.

We arrived in Sydney, New South Wales via Singapore on the 22nd July to be greeted by Paul Carter, who had planned our overnight billets and sorted out our transport up to the North West Plains where we were to be based for the duration of our stay in Australia.

In an attempt to show the squad more of the Aussie countryside, we opted to travel up to Narrabri by train that provided the opportunity for the party to relax and prepare to meet our host families.

After some 5 hours we pulled into Narrabri station to be greeted by our host families. After the welcome and introductions, the squad members were transported to their homes where they were going to stay for the duration of the tour.

This was the second time a junior tour had come from the UK and many of the hosts had received players from the UK during our first tour in 2006.

The welcome and support offered by all our hosts was fantastic and all the squad members and management are indebted to them for providing us with an unforgettable holiday and a wonderful polocrosse experience.

The next day the squad members were given a horse to try in preparation for our first tournament on Friday. The boys headed north to Goondawindi, near the Queensland border, making up sections with players from two of our host clubs: Cubaroo and Narrabri. The Girls headed south into the heart of NSW to play at Warren where they made up teams with players from Galloping Gully Polocrosse Club. All the squad members found their first experience of Junior level polocrosse in Australia something of a wake up call. They were all suffering from jet lag, or at least that was our excuse, but we knew they would need to play better if they were going to do themselves justice at the NSW Zone Championships at Young the following week.

We planned a training session for the squad members mid week, to sort out what horses we would have available for the weekend, and which would suit each riders’ strengths and weaknesses.

After some careful nurturing and a little armtwisting we changed some riders over onto other horses so that by the end of the afternoon, our

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coach Tom Simkin, had selected six players and horses to represent us in the competition.

The next day was spent preparing for the long trek south to Young. The change in scenery during the journey was remarkable. From the very dry sandy soils and warm weather to the wetter greener landscape and cold, freezing conditions around Young that is renowned as the cherry growing centre of Australia... It was just like attending a

All the squad members found their first experience of Junior level polocrosse in Australia something of a wake up call. tournament in the UK, tractors to pull you on to the field and once on there was no way of moving.

We experienced hard frosts and biting winds but the camp- fires were much appreciated by all and provided a great opportunity to meet and greet friends made in the sport over the years. All zones in NSW were represented at the Championships and we had the opportunity of seeing some of the best polocrosse Australia has to offer. Our team was entered in the Junior mixed tournament with some strong competition to test our squad.

In our first game the girls got off to a slow start but the boys played brilliantly to take us into a lead that we built on, finishing the game with a clear victory. The squad played extremely well and we received several comments on the standard of play and sportsmanship shown by all the team.

Our next game, if successful would get us through to the final. At full time we were all square and the girls had to return for a golden goal play off. The UK took possession and moved down to the area where the pass into our number 1 was executed successfully.

Unfortunately, her horse was exhausted and would not move away from the opposing number 3.

The battle continued and some 4 minutes later she managed to get a shot at goal that just made it in off the post to give the UK the victory and a place in

the final on the Sunday afternoon.

Spirits were up and after an early night the team woke up to a cold, but sunny morning with some outstanding finals being played across all the divisions. Our Junior mixed final started well with the UK holding a slender lead until the 5th.

Chukka when the girl’s horses were tiring fast and our opponents went ahead. The boys returned for the final chukka and pulled the game back to within a goal. The efforts put in by all the team players was spectacular. They gave their all, but in the end were unable to give any more in the heavy sticky ground they had to play on. At prize giving, the UK paraded as Runners-up and received a huge sack of chaff each for their efforts; not the easiest of gifts to transport back to your hosts on the long journey north to Narrabri!

Monday and Tuesday were recovery days for humans and ponies alike. Next weekend’s tournament was at Galloping Gully, which was very local and involved an hour’s journey at most.

As well as great polocrosse on the field, the ‘Gully’ tournament is renowned for the ‘après polocrosse’ off it. The hospitality needs to be experienced to be believed. The fires enclosed within the club compound are hailed as some of the biggest bomb fires at any tournament. As the frost set in the players were warmed by the music and heat generated in and around the clubhouse With the pressure off, we were able to change the teams and mix our squad members in with players from the other clubs. The competition was as fierce as expected with the Juniors losing out to an excellent team from Bunnan in the semi-finals who went on to win the Junior Division, also beating

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

the Gully Junior team. On the Monday after the tournament the squad members helped Gully tidy up after what was a memorable weekend for us all.

During our last week in Narrabri we arranged a meal for our host families and others who had contributed to our stay. On the Thursday evening, 54 of us descended on the local Chinese Restaurant in Narrabri to enjoy an Aussie-Chinese feast. It provided us with the opportunity to thank our hosts for a wonderful tour that resulted in all the players in the squad wanting to stay in NSW. Bones Falkner, the founder of the Gully club and representative on the NSW polocrosse committee, presented all the UK squad with a commemorative mug and his thanks. Following a few words from the UK manager and Team Captain, Emily-Kate Gilfillan the evening drew to a close having had a great night out with our new found families.

together. We made some great friends within the squad and on the other side of the world who we will never forget.

Canada; we had a different coach that we had the chance to learn from. The squad did well coming 2nd in the zone, and Ollie and I came 3rd.

I’d like to thank all of the team for playing so well, and being such great friends. Also, thanks must go to Mark, Tom, Rose and Mike for looking after us all, which I admit occasionally takes a lot!

The third carnival was Mendoran, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and we had a very good time; we played well as a team and fought hard. I won Best Number One, leaving me totally shocked and amazed! We came 3rd having really clicked with our horses and our team-mates.

If anybody is interested in squads, they should definitely put their names down as it opens up so many more opportunities for training and fun.

I’m sure that none of us thought that we would get selected, but we did, if anybody else has the opportunity to try out for their national squad, then they should!

Roll on 2010 so we can have more fun in what is definitely the best sport in the world!!

When we arrived back at our hosts’ house we had chance to go around the farms for a few final times, say goodbye to our animals and horses then spend our final night with our families.

The management team had a wonderful time and were privileged to accompany such a great band of young people who were wonderful ambassadors for our sport and for themselves.

We look forward to welcoming the inbound NSW junior tour in 2010

Emily-Kate Gilfillan (C) I think I can speak on behalf of all the Junior Squad when I write this. We all agreed that we had the best time of our lives; staying in a beautiful country, and meeting some amazing people. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will never be forgotten. When the day came for us to leave no one was short of tears as we said goodbye to the amazing horses we had ridden, and the caring families that we would leave behind; us girls spent the five-hour train journey to Sydney crying, it was such an emotional day.

We still keep in touch regularly with our families and it was a great way to make contacts out there for future visits. Most of all though it brought us all

We all agreed that we had the best time of our lives;

The fourth and last carnival was with our home club at Gully. This really was the most amazing time! We had the chance to play with our hosts and all of our new friends. We had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed it; we all played very well and fought for our place at 2nd, which for us was a victory.

Ashleigh Burbidge: Layla and I stayed with a lovely family called the Grumley’s. Layla tried a couple of horses until she found the right horse; she ended up playing a horse called Savannah, a lovely 14Hh bay mare, which had a killer turn. Layla played very well and bonded quickly with her. I tried a horse called Merlot, which was a 15.2 chestnut gelding. He was lovely and had a very good stop and turn, he took me quite a while to get used to him and be able to play him confidently as I had a small problem with him rearing!

The morning we left Narrabri was emotional for everyone. We said our farewells to our hosts and friends and then continued to Sydney on the train where we stayed until our flight the next day.

The month’s tour was truly an amazing experience, not just for our polocrosse, but also for realising what the world’s cultures and lifestyles have to offer.

When we played our first carnival (Australians call tournaments carnivals) the boys and girls of the squad split up, the girls played at Warren and the boys played at Gyundawindi. We didn’t do too well, it was our first carnival and we were still getting used to our horses. We came 4th out of 5 teams, but for us this was a victory as we were against tough teams on their own horses and we had only known ours for three days.

The second carnival was the Zone Championships at Young; the UK team was Layla Henshaw, EmilyKate Gilfillan, Livvy Foley, Tom Bowden-Eyre, Jon Swift and Rich Felce. Ollie Miller and I had the chance to play with another exchange team from

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

© danielduhig.co.uk

© danielduhig.co.uk

Rosebrook sasha Charlotte Pykett

Sasha was bred in 1999 on Terry Blake’s famous Rosebrook Australian stock horse stud in NSW, Australia. She was then purchased as a foal by Jason Webb. Jason started her and began her training at home in Australia and says she was tricky from the start.

In 2002, impressed by her masses of natural ability and the hope that she would continue to grow Jason decided to fly her to the UK and continue her polocrosse training.

In 2003 at just four years old Sasha made her international debut for the UK Ladies vs. South Africa playing in nearly every chukka by both the UK and the South Africans.

We purchased Sasha in 2006 from Penny and Jason as Penny was pregnant and Sasha was too small for Jason. It took me a couple of years to get to grips with her, including a trip to A & E! Once I did, I believe we managed to form a partnership that I have never had with a horse and may never have again.

Sasha is a very quirky little horse that absolutely loves the game, and although she is only 14.2 she still manages to duck and dive around the bigger horses. I look forward to the years ahead and hope to be able to continue playing her and eventually breeding from her.

Rocket Annie Waterer

Age: 14 Height: 15.1 h Breeding: Argentine Polo Pony Awards: Best Ladies Horse Tri-Nations 2009 Best Horse KTPC 2009

We bought Rocket out of polo in 2005. It took a couple of seasons for us to get the hang of each other but from then on it has been nothing but fun. She is the easiest horse to have around, laid back and always polite. I am planning on putting her in foal this spring and am looking forward to some great babies! I will hopefully get a couple of tournaments out of her in the coming season though. One of Rocket’s faults is that she has the ability to become obese on virtually no food so will benefit from being kept fit! She may not be the biggest or toughest of horses but every time I have asked for more she has always given it.

Whenever I have had a bad day, a ride on Rocket is guaranteed to put a smile on my face and all I can hope for now is some great foals - fingers crossed!

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

Rocket’s finest year was sadly her last of full competition – in 2009 she played in the Tri-Nations, the South Africa Test Matches and picked up her only awards.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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Test Reports

UK

vs Ireland

Ladies: Agi Duhig Vickie Metcalfe (C) Sammy Rowden Hazel Wilson

Men: Simon Amor Will Halcrow Dan Kelly Lewis Parr

U21s Irish Tests 4th-5th September, Hosted by Celyn Polocrosse Club

Captain’s Report The UK team started to arrive in North Wales on the Friday morning in preparation for the busy weekend ahead of them. Before the Irish team arrived everyone had much to do in putting up marquees for the tournament and preparing a camping area for the Irish to sleep in.

By the late afternoon the Irish started to arrive. We cooked for them that evening, and with help from Hazel Metcalfe and a few other parents a great meal was cooked on the lorries’ stoves. A big thank you must go to everyone that helped put on food; it was a great start to a great weekend.

Nevertheless, it was early to bed and early to rise!

On Saturday morning the pools where drawn, and our team horses allotted.

We were not allowed to ride our own mounts, but then we were all in the same boat. Some found getting on other peoples’ horses easy, but for others it took a few attempts to find a suitable mount. After a few changes we were all happy and keen to start the tournament proper.

As the first test drew closer the nerves started to show. We all got ready and warmed up together, anxious about the strong Irish side we were up against. The game started at 2pm, with both teams walking

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their horses through the goal posts from either side of the field and shaking hands in the middle. Both national anthems where played and the game began.

In the first few chukka's it was level pegging.

Both teams played very well, with some great goals from the Irish and some equally great goals from Sammy Rowden as the Ladies No. 1. Sammy smiled the whole time, even when the Irish were hassling her. There was some great defending by the whole team.

Hazel Wilson was constantly a cause of trouble for the Irish and Dan Kelly stole the show with some sharp, tactical marking.

As usual there were some flashy moves from Simon Amor, and Lewis Parr gave the Irish a taste of their own aggressive medicine!

‘Cool cat’ Will Halcrow was quick out the back of the line-outs and impressive in the area. Oldies Agi Duhig and Vickie Metcalfe swapped in and out of 2 and 3, and when on the pitch Agi made a huge impact, resulting in her winning Best Ladies’ Player of the weekend.

Unfortunately, the Irish managed to pull ahead in the final few chukkas of the first test, and we lost. A similar story can be said about the second test on Sunday.

In many ways we were simply outclassed, but the nail-gripping draw between the Irish and UK Ladies meant that

all of us could walk off the pitch with our heads held high.

Once all the matches had been played and the horses were hosed down we went to the marquee for prize giving. The Irish won the test, but everyone was given a prize to remember the weekend. Agi Duhig won Best Ladies’ Player and Seb Chambers from the Irish side won Best Male Player. Well done to both!

I would like to thank everyone at Celyn Polocrosse Club for hosting the event and helping feed us all, Paul Rowden for our commemorative rugs and Hazel Metcalfe for organising the prizes.

The most thanks must go to Wayne Henning for organizing the tour, coaching and motivating us and helping with the horses’ transport. There were so many people who helped to make the weekend a great time and I would like to thank everyone who I have not mentioned for their support.

Finally, I would personally like to thank the squad for such amazing final year. It has been a pleasure to play with you all and I wish you all the luck in the world for the future.

Hopefully next year you can beat Ireland when you got to play them on their own soil!

Vickie Metcalfe (C)

Tri-Natio UK Open vs Ireland Tri-Nations 2009 – Cork, Ireland

The Tri-Nations tournament was very much a two nations affair last year as the UK looked to quash Irish pride on their own soil. The UK fielded a team of varying abilities, with players ranging from the age of 15 to the grander ages of our more seasoned players; I’m sure these are best left unexposed. The tournament was a great chance for younger players Sammy Rowden and Jonathon Swift to gain experience from some of our best polocrosse talents. Although not a complete victory, the Ladies team won their section overall and everyone made it home; this is more than can be said for many Britons who have stepped onto those murky shores.

The relationship between polocrosse in Ireland and in the UK has never been better. Our neighbours offer the perfect opportunity for our national team to hone their skills in preparation for the World Cup Next year, as well as giving our younger players a taste of the international scene and the opportunity to play against new players rarely seen on the club circuit at home.

Tour Report: Annie Waterer Getting to Ireland was a logistical nightmare, but thankfully the actual trip went relatively smoothly. Sadly that cannot be said for the polocrosse!

With 6 horses, two drivers (Chris Dunlop and my mum, Shauna Waterer) and a stowaway dog on board, the truck set off from Suffolk on the Wednesday before the competition, picking me up after my last exam on the way past Bristol. We stopped over at a lovely little yard near the Fishguard ferry port for the night, and then set off very early for Ireland.

After every different authority telling me that I would need all sorts of licences to take the horses over, it was a great relief when all that we were asked for was the horse’s passports. After a couple of hours of sleep on the ferry, we were on the road again heading for Ballindenisk Eventing Centre.

Surrounded by beautiful green rolling hills and after 20 hours on the truck, all of the horses promptly lay down for a good sleep. The Irish ladies were already there and training hard with their formidable coach Avis Wotton, although well away from our curiosity!

After a morning of coaching from Jason Webb, the ladies team went out on the Saturday and had a very solid first game. The number 1’s Penny Webb and Sammy Rowden got into the swing of things very quickly and after a close start the UK ran out winners by 11 goals. For many members of the men’s team, the tour was a great opportunity to get some international experience and to have the privilege of playing with someone like Jason, from which one can learn a lot. Sadly, they were slightly outclassed by the very strong and experienced Irish men.

Saturday night consisted of a brilliant meal produced by the owners of Eco Bus Cafe, which was an old double-decker bus fuelled by used cooking oil; possibly the best food I have ever had at polocrosse!

Delicious salads, homemade bread, local meat and hot garlic prawns.

It was served in the beautiful cobbled courtyard of the farm on which we were staying. The Irish were taking their sport very seriously and had a strict curfew (apart from Sharon Kennedy!), and against every expectation the UK representatives were in fact the only people on the dance floor!

Sunday’s game did not go quite as well as Saturday’s. It was almost neck and neck over the first few chukkas, but as it began to rain things went downhill. A horrible accident involving a head-on collision between Kerry Bean and Hannah Fletcher’s horses meant that both needed urgent veterinary attention and were most definitely out of the game.

The umpire gallantly jumped off his horse and offered it to Kerry with the reassuring words “It’s not too bad”, and very kindly Lorraine and Sharon leant Hannah a horse. Both players were shaken and not on

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ons

Creating Balance For Horse & Rider

their own horses, as a consequence the game became very scrappy for everyone. If that wasn’t enough, in the following chukka Vickie Metcalfe had a nasty fall and was taken off the field. Kerry Bean had to double up but the UK couldn’t quite pick up their game enough to pull off a win. The men’s team also had an unsuccessful, although less dramatic, game and were once again soundly beaten by the Irish.

The overall goal margin meant that although defeated in the second game, the UK ladies had come out victorious. Kerry Bean was awarded Best Lady Player after her outstanding performance and determination, despite being on a strange horse. My mare Rocket was awarded Best Ladies Horse.

Jason Webb picked up Best Male Player and Risebridge Missile Best Men’s Horse. For a very young horse he withstood enormous pressure with a cool head.

Huge thanks must go the Irish Polocrosse Association and Cork Club for their excellent hospitality, and Sharon Kennedy must also get a mention for all her help and the loan of forgotten things like saddles, generators etc!

Pete Watson must have thanks for organising sponsorship, and of course all the drivers who made the trip possible deserve our gratitude. It was a very enjoyable tour, and thank you to everyone involved in making it so much fun.

Ladies:

Men:

Penny Webb Vickie Metcalfe Annie Waterer Sammy Rowden Hannah Fletcher Kerry Bean

Jason Webb Mikey Turner Jonathon Swift Kim Lampard Neil Smith Joe Hopkins

Banjo winning best horse at Midlands 2009 as a 4 year old.

Starting Red, a colt destined for Grand Prix Dressage.

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Born into a family of horsemen and polocrosse players, Jason has over 17 years of experience of playing and producing horses for top level polocrosse, winning major horse and playing awards worldwide.

I have had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing and seeing how Jason works with horses. I wish other riders, owners and trainers would take time to study a trye horseman’s methods. He is kind and practices a system of training techniques that work no matter what discipline you are in. Watching him ride his home bred and trained stallion Diesel is inspiring. A true horse trainer.

Jo Metcalfe Editor Horsemart Magazine www.horsemart.co.uk

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U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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UKCC Coaching Coaching and the UKCC Christine Stansfield – UKPA Director of Coaching It is the aim of the UKPA that by April 2011 all coaches will either hold or be registered to take the UKCC either at Level 1 or 2. Why do we need to bother?

Polocrosse is growing, with the publicity it gained through advertising and televising of the test matches in 2009 never before have we had so many enquiries or sold so many starter packs to Pony Clubs, Riding Clubs and Riding Schools. With the World Cup coming to the UK in 2011 it is anticipated that this will increase even more. To meet this ever increasing demand we need qualified coaches who are able to start people off and encourage them to develop their skills. We also need more coaches to help existing UKPA members improve their game and grade.

An international player does not automatically become a good coach.

Likewise, a good coach is not always an international player. The UKCC is open to everyone at all levels and teaches coaches to use their skill to unlock potential in others as the Athlete, Michael Johnson tells us: “Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.

Coaching gives an emphasis to the way the techniques are taught and the skills communicated” It can’t be denied that the UKCC requires a lot of work, but at the end of it you have a nationally recognised qualification. This can help to enhance your career in any field and also help increase the credibility of Polocrosse throughout the equestrian world.

"The final assessment day for the UKCC Level 3 certificate was incredibly worthwhile, both to me as a trainer and coach, but also to the whole western

industry in the UK. I fully support the initiative set up by British Reining and the BEF in instigating these recognised coaching awards and was very proud to be able to participate.” David Deptford, Sovereign Quarter Horses Level 1 and level 2 courses will be starting this year and hopefully level 3 will be ready to roll in 2011. We have Coach Educators covering all regions so there should be no reason for anyone to have to travel too far to take part.

At present these courses are part funded by the UKPA and the BEF so there is no better time to get involved. There are basic criteria which must be met for each level. If you do not already have these requirements in place the UKPA can help you to achieve them.

Pre Requisites for Level 1 (Assistant Coach) Candidates must be aged 16 or above on the day of the final assessment.

Basic one day first aid certificate Safeguarding children certificate CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure Proof of technical competence (either by certification or sign off by a coach educator) Pre Requisites for Level 2 (Coach) Candidates must be aged 18 or above on the day of the final assessment Four day “At Work” First Aid course or two day ESFAC course Safeguarding Children certificate CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure Proof of technical competence must be by certificate or for existing coaches

by Accredited Prior Learning If you would like more information or to register for the UKCC please contact Christine Stansfield, UKPA Director of Coaching on 01944 738714 or email c_stansfield@btinternet.com

The UKCC in POLOCROSSSE The UKCC in Polocrosse Why bother to do the UKCC? Why not just continue the way we have been doing things?

I’m sure this question has been asked many times. I believe the UKCC to be an important standardised coaching qualification that brings the best out of everyone learning how to play polocrosse. Perhaps my own experiences can give a hint as to why I chose to take on this new course.

There is a big difference between a riding instructor and a riding coach. A good friend of mine, who was an international show jumper, enrolled on the BSJA scheme. I had lessons with her on a semi-regular basis for some years, but the scheme had changed her style dramatically.

Just after Claire had passed her coaching exam, I went for a lesson. Her first words as a newly qualified coach were: “So Ros, what is your aim with the horse this year?” I was totally at a loss.

Why was I going to a lesson without an aim? I should have had a plan! I said I would go home and have a think. This sat me back on my heels and really made me question what I was doing,

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just trundling along doing a bit of this and that, having some fun, but not achieving much. I was getting rather long in the tooth and so was the horse; it was about time I had some ambition. Next lesson I startled Claire by stating that I wanted to do some British Eventing competitions that year.

I contacted my local dressage instructor (a blunt lady), who said she thought it was hilarious at my age to go eventing.

participant. It is important for coaches to let students set their own goals. Unless you ask those you coach what their dreams are, you will never know what they might achieve. The questions ‘how,’ ‘why’ and ‘when do you think’ are far more effective than draconian directives; ‘do this’ and ‘do that’ are nothing compared to personal motivation.

Nevertheless, I fitted in four events, went clear cross country in each one, double clear on my fourth, coming second at Pre-Novice level to a well-known pro, and winning the ownerbreeder’s trophy. Would I have done this without my instructor allowing me to choose my own aims? No way! The result was that my Pony Club students respected me more, my three boys thought I was ‘cool’ and I had the trophies and rosettes to prove it all. The impact it had on me was great – it increased my self-confidence and gave me a real high.

Last year we had a new member to the Pony Club who was badly bullied at school. She had a cerebral palsy sister and a pony that didn’t do anything very well. When she first came she would not look anyone in the face and we could hardly get a word out of her. Then we held a Polocrosse rally. She was a natural! By the end of the morning, we discovered she could smile, laugh and talk to other kids. Now she is the first one to greet me at practices, and helps other kids get started with the game. She is one of the inspirations behind my wanting to get better at coaching. The bullying has completely stopped.

The difference between an old style ‘instructor’ and the new style ‘coach’ is the focus on the

I meet lots of people who are rather puzzled as to why I am becoming so keen to promote the sport.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Drugs in Sport BEF Chief Medical Officer Peter Whitehead looks at the Negative effects of drugs in sport Zulu warriors were feared by many. They were strong, trained, well armed, and often taking hallucinogenic drugs which made them feel invincible and oblivious to what was likely to happen to them in battle. They died in their thousands.

Ancient Greeks used psychotropic mushroom and plant extracts, Roman chariot racers used drugs in horse feeds, Popeye used spinach and Asterix was impotent against the Romans without a draft from Getafix (just read the name again more slowly and you’ll see).

It is true that certain substances can improve performance, for example anabolic steroids in strength events, but it is also true that many substances are taken with no evidence that they help performance, and some are dangerous or even lethal. In the 1970’s US hammer-thrower George Fenn stated “ I cannot name one guy, and I know just about all of them, who is not using steroids”. In the 1983 Pan-American Games in Venezuela, 19 athletes from 10 different countries failed the dope test. Twelve members of the USA track and field team flew home after the announcement of the first positive tests.

The world of doping has changed in the past few years. Changed because of the sophistication of medications, which is closely matched by the sophistication of detection equipment. The principles of doping control are simple; to prevent performance enhancement and to help protect the athlete/competitor from harmful substances. Surely everyone would like to compete on a “level playing field” and also be protected by pressures to take harmful drugs.

the FEI and IOC, our international sports bodies. This means that all sports belonging to the BEF, such as Polocrosse, can be subjected to drug testing and it is worth considering what this means to you. Many medications in regular use are banned, recreational drugs such as cannabis are banned, pseudoephedrine in some cold remedies is banned, and the list is enormous.

If you are one of the top 40 eventers in the world you can easily expect a knock on your door at any time of day or night from your National AntiDoping Agency, if you play club polocrosse you could be asked for “a specimen” at a competition.

This may sound a little scary, it isn’t. If you are on any form of regular medication, including asthma inhalers, visit the UK agency responsible for testing; www.ukad.org.uk . The website is easy to use and has helpful links.

Remember, spinach is good for you, but will not increase biceps strength, field mushrooms are not hallucinogenic and go well with steak, Getafix did not list ingredients and his brew may well be a banned substance. The simple rule is: “if a supplement works, it is probably banned”.

Peter Whitehead is Chief Medical Officer to the British Equestrian Federation and is a member of the Medical Committee at The Federation Equestre Internationale. He is one of four doctors responsible for approving rider medications in international and Olympic equestrian sport. He has been the GB team doctor for World Equestrian Games, Olympic and Paralympic equestrian games.

Dr Peter Whitehead.

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was founded in 1999 and the British Equestrian Federation is a signatory, as are all countries affiliated to

The answer is that I genuinely feel that there is a place for everyone in polocrosse. The reason I have become involved, like most more mature members, is for my children, but when I started to introduce Polocrosse to our North Cornwall branch three years ago I was struck by how much fun they all had, particularly how they all started communicating with each other. The UKCC is perfect for polocrosse. A sport which encourages personal ambition in a team environment needs a coaching qualification that allows this natural sense of competition and aspiration to flourish.

The UKCC is a professional qualification that allows coaches to command a ‘proper’ fee.

It is also a ‘quality assurance’ to participants: incorporating a CRB check, Safeguarding and Protecting Children and First Aid qualifications so you know that the holder of the certificate will be a competent and insured person.

The UKCC for Polocrosse is ‘Specific’ to our sport.

We, the first group, have had a rather slow and tortuous path, simply down to its originality. What this evolution has brought to light is that in the

past Polocrosse has had very little standardised teaching or ‘technical models.’ The formatting of these technical models is a serious task, but one necessary for uniform coaching across the country. When completed, these will be a huge help for all players who would like to get involved at the grass root level, and should enable more potential in Pony Clubs and Riding Clubs to be unlocked.

I know that some of our top players feel they needn’t be bothered with the UKCC, but I hope that they will give it their support, as it is a useful tool to grow Polocrosse. We need their expertise to give it respectability and to make the coaching models effective.

The UKCC will soon be the Gold Standard for all our UKPA coaches, and the future of polocrosse tuition across the UK. Ros Boisseau

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POLocrosse without your own Horse Anna Kimber and Sarah Flemming Anna Kimber & Sarah Fleming, Mobberley Riding from Mobberley School, Cheshire Riding School tell us how How dothey yougot begin to play polocrosse with no people interested in horse and no transport?

That was the question polocrosse in Cheshire we faced when we wanted to try something new with our riding school clients. We were looking for a discipline that was completely different from the usual dressage and jumping, and polocrosse seemed to be exactly that.

After a bit of research (well, Googling!), we contacted the Pony Club and the UKPA, who put us in touch with Celyn Polocrosse Club in North Wales. Barry and Simon Amor very kindly came over to us in Cheshire and ran an introductory session so that both ponies and riders could get used to the equipment. Several of our staff and helpers decided that they would like to give the sport a go, so with Barry’s help we purchased sticks and balls and started to get our riding school ponies used to the game. We were also invited to join Celyn’s on-foot training over the winter, and seven of us made the trip each week.

This was a great way for us to learn our stick and ball skills, and also to meet experienced players and make new friends within the polocrosse community. As the weather improved we were not always able to get to mounted training due to work commitments. However, several of the Celyn players would travel over to Cheshire and make use of our flat fields, thus bringing the training to us! Inevitably both of us swapped our dressage gear for rackets, borrowed transport, loaned a couple of ex-polo ponies and quickly became hooked.

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Kirsch

The Lodders Kirstie Lodder bought Kirsch at 3 years old through a dealer for her son Mat. He then basically broke her in at the age of 12, where he did many different disciplines, all of which included a lot of falling off.

Mat and Kirsch both improved together and in the early polocrosse days were fairly renowned.

After Mat had grown out of her, she went on loan

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Once we had begun to play (albeit at E grade!) we felt ready to start teaching our clients. In the spring of 2009 we launched the ‘Cheshire Polocrosse Centre’ for riders who wanted to try the sport but don’t have their own horses. Our first ‘taster’ day with the Celyn coaches was very successful, and has since been followed up with a number of day or week courses for both Pony Club and adult riders. We now have around 30 players and run three Pony Club polocrosse training sessions each week for various levels as well as a session for adults. In August we took a section of three to the Pony Club Championships at Draycott.

Our team played well over the two days of the Championships, winning two matches out of five against branch teams on their own ponies! Overall we came sixth out of 11 teams in the Open section, which we were very pleased with, especially as we were the only riding school in our class.

We have been very fortunate that so many players, all volunteers, have given their time to assist us.

Between the UKPA and the Pony Club we have received lots of support and advice no matter how trivial the issue. The incredibly hard-working Iain Heaton answered many questions via email, and even visited us to discuss the problems that we faced as a riding school, especially with regards to insurance and Health and Safety. Most recently our instructors have made a start on their UKCC Level 1 with help from the Northern Region.

need a top-class pony to get started – some of our best playing ponies are hairy cobs who have discovered a surprising turn of speed when given something new and exciting to do! However, riding schools must be prepared to put in a lot of hard work at their end as well. Although we borrowed the equipment for the first few sessions, we bought our own sticks and balls once we decided to carry on. You need to take the time to learn the game yourselves, introduce the equipment to your horses and ponies, and make sure that you have enough bandages, over-reach boots and overgirths! Yet once you are ‘up and running’ the benefits are huge. The game encourages a great sense of teamwork and sportsmanship that isn’t often a factor in normal riding lessons, and although we don’t have the means to go out to tournaments around the country we run our own ‘in-house’. And of course, most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!

We would like to thank everyone who has helped introduce us to the sport over the past few years: Barry and Simon Amor at Coachmans Riding School, Chris Illingworth, Debbie Miller, Jeanette Mitchell, and Tom and Sarah Simkin from Celyn Polocrosse Club, and Hannah Clack and Dave Brookes at the Pony Club.

Now more riding schools are starting to show an interest, either through Pony Club or the ABRS, and we would recommend the game to any proprietors who are looking to diversify. You don’t

to Becky Shearing for a year, and then the year be unheard news to him. Charlie’s mother Jane after that back to the Lodders for Sophie ride. Wright-Roberts bought Kirsch for her son when During this time she was one of the best Junior he was first starting out on the polocrosse scene. polocrosse ponies around.

At the age of 12, Charlie and She was also probably the his mother were looking for a strongest! It was often the Mat did many different horse to get him starting out in case of her taking you where Primary Juniors. They bought disciplines, all of she wanted to go, lucky that Kirsch through the Lodders after which included a she usually made the right seeing her play in tournaments. decision. After Sophie grew Kirsch found in Charlie another lot of falling off. out of her Charlie Wright 12 year old to teach the game, Roberts took her on, and to and Charlie found in Kirsch a most people’s bemusement he had the opposite great starting block for what became a successful problem, sometimes struggling to get her into a Junior career. Whilst the Lodders saw Kirsch as a canter. fiery mare with a will of her own, Charlie discovered he had a horse who would exercise that will in a As her first owners in the polocrosse community more relaxed way. Charlie sometimes struggled to the Lodders had the opportunity to see her in the get Kirsch moving, but in many ways this gave him hands of many Junior and Primary Junior players, the stable platform he needed at such a young almost all of whom are still playing today. The age. Over the course of his youth (Charlie is now success and continued interest of these riders in officially old at the age of 25), he has represented the sport is a fitting testament to her life. the UK abroad on multiple occasions. The credit for much of his success must undoubtedly go to Mat Lodder continues to produce ponies for polo this wonderful little pony. and polocrosse, but is sadly no longer playing on the polocrosse circuit, focusing solely on his Charlie has represented the UK abroad at Junior talent for polo. Becky Shearing is still involved and U21 levels. He and his girlfriend Caroline in the polocrosse community and has played at are both heavily involved in polocrosse and will the highest level for her club and country. Sophie be seen playing for the rejuvinated Cotswold Lodder is one of our most successful lady players, Polocrosse Club this year. playing in the test matches against South Africa last year, her horse Triple Strike winning Best Charlotte Pykett Pony at the National Championships, and herself Although I only owned Kirsch for just over a year, winning Best Lady Player. Sophie will be playing she had a profound influence on my polocrosse for her club Arden this year in the A-grade. career.

Charlie Wright-Roberts: 1997-2001 Charlie doesn’t remember much of nine years ago. I have been told that a lot in this article will

We purchased Kirsch from the Wright-Roberts family in 2001 picking her up from a lay-by on the side of the A46! I remember being very excited as

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

© SA Images

I had watched her play polocrosse and I knew how brilliant she was.

We had a great season playing polocrosse in Juniors, as well as taking her show jumping and winning lots of prizes. My most memorable award has to be ‘Most Promising Junior’ at Nationals, winning my first stock saddle. I will never forget it!!

Unfortunately I outgrew her much quicker than I would have liked and was sad to see her leave, but it has given me great pleasure being able to watch her give the same enjoyment and opportunities to others that she once gave to me.

Like Sophie, Charlotte is a hugely talented lady player. Playing in the test matches against South Africa last year her pony Sacha won the Best Pony award for her great performance. Charlotte will be playing for Highlanders this year in the A-grade.

Alice Hibberd Kirsch was my first polocrosse pony, and in the first few weeks of owning her, she decided to test me by taking me everywhere we went, as fast as she could. We completed fun rides in record times (not by choice) and would do endless circuits of the field. Once I discovered my brakes and my blisters had healed, I discovered I had found the perfect partner, falling head over heels for the stubborn little mare. Her ability to turn grown men into babies amazed the whole of my family.

We didn’t realise that we had just bought one of the most famous horses in polocrosse. We knew each other inside out, she was my best friend and we had so much fun. She had something that was unique, something I haven’t been able to find in any other horse, and I know that only

those who owned her will understand what I mean by that. Kirsch changed my life, she gave me the confidence I needed, and taught me so much. I am truly grateful and so lucky that Niki Padbury gave me the pleasure of owning Kirsch for several years, and I will never forget the amazing, irreplaceable times that we shared.

Alice no longer plays polocrosse, but is often seen at tournaments in the summer as a keen spectator.

Lucinda Cornforth Like Alice and many that went before her, Kirsch was my first proper polocrosse pony. Little did I know that after a few weeks of owning her I would trust this pony with my life. The first time I saw her I remember thinking how big and scary she was. It didn’t help that whenever you went in the stable with her she would practically bulldoze you trying to get out! However, after a few weeks of getting to know each other she soon stopped her bulldozing habit and a close friendship started to form. She taught me everything I know about polocrosse, and never put a foot wrong on the polocrosse field, where she would do anything you asked, and give you one hundred and ten percent. Whenever you did anything other than polocrosse though you started asking for trouble!

When you hacked her she would try and run off with you if so much as one of her hooves touched the grass, or in the case of jumping where you lost all control of her and just had to sit tight and pray she’d get over the jump!

grateful to her for all that she has taught me. Only the people who have been privileged enough to own Kirsch will truly understand what an amazing little mare she was, and how completely irreplaceable she is now that she is gone.

Louie will be playing for Arden next year, following in Sophie’s footsteps, and is on the UK Junior squad for 2010. There are some big boots to fill!

The Riders: Born: 1987 Mat Lodder: 1990-1995 Becky Shearing: 1995-1996 Sophie Lodder: 1996-1997 Charlie Wright-Roberts: 1997-2001 Charlotte Pyket: 2001-2002 Alice Hibberd: 2002-2006 Louie Cornforth: 2006-2009

Despite all of her bad traits, such as attempting to bite you when you did her girth, being ever so stubborn, and simply being her moody self, I still loved her. I don’t think I will ever trust or love a horse as much as I did Kirsch. I am eternally

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Kirsch was 19 when she died last year. For 16 of those years she played polocrosse with 7 different riders.

To commemorate her long life and contribution to the sport the Lodders and the Cornforths will be awarding the Kirsch Cup for the child and pony combination that most aptly represents the spirit of polocrosse that Kirsch has left in her wake.

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Lauren Lee Lauren was bred and trained in NZ by Errol Gloyn by his famous stallion Docs Colonel Lee. After beginning her Polocrosse career under Errol in NZ she came to the UK in 2002 when purchased by David De Rothschild to play polo.

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Having played Polocrosse with Rick Murray for 3 seasons and winning champion Mare at the Nationals in 2005 and Horse of the year we were lucky enough to be able to purchase her.

Unfortunately Lauren fractured her pedal bone in the winter of 2005/6 and wasn’t until 2007 that I was able to play her. She came roaring back though and won Champion Pony at Nationals in 2007 and was described by Australian Representatives Jamie Grimmond and Todd Weston as being as good as any horse they had seen.

Lauren had everything pace courage a great mouth and a love for the game.

She is the best horse I have ever played and it was a privilege to have owned her and had the opportunity to have played her. She will be missed by all.

U K PA PO LO C RO S S E M AG A Z INE – DD DE S IGN

Celica Simon was not only unlucky enough to lose Tina this year at Nationals, but also Celica.

Before the 2009 season had a chance to get under way Celica was found in the field with what turned out to be a dislocated pastern.

After a quick trip to the vets and some consultation with experts it was looking like she was in with a chance, with some nerve blocking, it was hoped the joint would go back together. Sadly that was not the case.

Simon got Celica out of polo as a ‘slightly cooked’ mare, and she was just that, every night without fail we got to watch a Simon and Celica performed mile long side passes around and around the field! Where many guys would have passed it on as being too much to handle, they preserved and with a little game time with Jason, she was proving to be quite a machine.

Although she wasn’t much of a pusher, she had more speed than you would ever need.

Not many horses would catch up running on the outside of a circle, but with her gas she sure would. I’m pretty sure Simon caught out a few people being a wily left hander and sneaking up the outside to hit rackets!

I was lucky enough to play her at Midland in 2008, and despite how fast we were going over the 30yrd line we would always be able to pull up before the back line.

With too big charcters to live up to, Simon’s new ginger pony has some big shoes to fill!

Danny Duhig

Tina Little Christana or Tina came to us as a 6 year old ex polo pony.

A joint purchase between myself and Jason Burbidge.

Right from the start she had a cranky nature and was a strong willed mare.

She proved difficult to school but Jason did his usual patient job on her and schooled in some much needed handle. She was all but impossible to stick and ball on. She wouldn’t even run on the right leg let alone canter in a steady circle, she was very hot. She was however, a natural on the pitch. As soon as the whistle went and ball went in she transformed into a machine! She relished a fast paced game with plenty of ride offs. She was quick out the back and she had a very good mid range and top speed. Above all though she had a huge heart and almost bottomless energy,

She débuted in international tests in 2005 against Zimbabwe. She was ridden by Jasons Brother Shannon at one point and played in most chukkas of every game.

Since then she has played in almost every international test since.

Most recently she was ridden by the visiting Australian mens side just weeks before she was put down. Nicknamed by the Ozzies as “Tina 2 Saddles” on account of her long back she was a firm favorite with the them again being used in nearly all the chukkas.

As I have been riding her myself for the last 3 seasons I came to love her for all her crankiness, because she had more shear guts and heart than any horse I have ever played!

Simon Paynter

U K PA POLO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD DE S IGN

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A look at the world

UK

Global playing statistics, and a closer look at the Netherlands and Zambia reminds us that Polocrosse is a truly international sport

Number of members: 427, with a significant separate pony club following First Club Founded: 1990 Midlands Number of Clubs today: 18 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Eric Jenkinson

Canada

Aims for the future: To host a successful and well run World Cup in 2011

Number of Members: 40 First Club Founded: 1993

To train a strong UK side to play at the World Cup, with the hope of winning on our home soil.

Number of Clubs Today: 3 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Don Mortimer

To promote the sport at a young level and grow the membership in co-operation with the Pony Club and riding schools across the country.

Aims for the Future: To grow the sport through the youth, demonstrations and promotions.

Ireland Number of members: Circa. 220 First Club founded: 1993 Number of Clubs today: 9 Name of Chairman/President for 2010: Tom O’Malley

USA

Aims for the future: Increase IPA membership to 400+ in the next two years

France Number of Members: 50 First Club Founded: 2006

Number of Members: Circa. 400

Increase the number of IPA affiliated clubs to 12 in the next two years

Number of Clubs Today: 4

First Club Founded: 1986 Warwick Valley, New York Number of Clubs today: 47

Increase the junior membership to build a stronger foundation for the sport

Name of President for 2010: Kellee Campbell

Raise awareness and visibility of the sport in Ireland

Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Collegial system comprised of six board members.

Aims for the future: To continue promoting polocrosse as an international sport, sending teams to play in international tournaments and Test Matches.

To win the World Cup in 2011

To host training clinics across the country to raise awareness of the sport and quality of play.

Aims for the Future: To develop and promote polocrosse in France as a fun, friendly and family-oriented sport respectful of horses and accessible to all.

Zimbabwe Number of Members: Circa. 120 First Club Founded: 1948, Fort Victoria/Masvingo Number of Clubs today: 9 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Wayne Parham

FACT: When comparing the membership numbers of the Australian Polocrosse Association with the Hurlingham Polo Association in the UK, it is interesting to note that the Australian membership for polocrosse is almost double that of polo in Britain. Australia has a population a third of the UK.

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Aims for the future: To continue playing top-level polocrosse and win the World Cup in 2011.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Norway Number of Members: 36 First Club Founded: 1999 Number of Clubs Today: 3 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Amund Brede Svendsen Aims for the Future: To establish and organised regular training for all members.

To find a suitable central location for the hosting of practices and tournaments.

To involve more young people and their parents in the sport.

Holland Number of Members: 45 First Club Founded: 2005 Number of Clubs Today: 5 regional teams, but with no formal club make-up Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Maarten Luitse Aims for the Future: To continue promoting the sport in Holland.

To increase the level of play amongst current members through the aid of international coaches.

To maintain close bonds with neighbouring European countries that play.

Germany Number of Members: 60 First Club Founded: 2008 Kananohe, Hannover Number of Clubs Today: 3 registered, 1 non-registered Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Association run as a council between the Chairs of each club.

Aims for the Future: To create national interest in the sport and grow the membership.

To increase international awareness of polocrosse in Germany by competing abroad.

Australia

UAE

Number of Members: 5358 First Club Founded: 1939 Ingleburn

Zambia

Number of Clubs Today: 119 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Gill Mathie

Number of Members: 120

Aims for the Future: To continue promoting polocrosse nationwide and train hard to retain their title as World Champions at next year’s Polocrosse World Cup in the UK.

First Club Founded: Number of Clubs Today: 6 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Harry Entjes Aims for the Future: To rise to the challenge of representing Zambia in the 2011 World Cup in the UK. Training a national side with the aid of a full-time foreign coach that will show Zambian polocrosse at it’s best.

To further links with African polocrosse playing countries through the continuation of international tournaments such as the ZimZam tournament.

South Africa Number of members: 490 First Club Founded: 1948, Durban Riding Club, King’s Park Number of Clubs today: 30 President for 2010: Wessell Strauss Aims for the future: To play an honest, disciplined game as stated in the IPC rules.

To encourage as many new players as possible, particularly Juniors.

The majority of the current juniors are first, second or even third generation polocrosse players.

To reopen many of the old clubs that have had their grounds closed or built upon.

New Zealand Number of members: 317 First Club Founded: 1967 King Country region Number of Clubs Today: 11 Name of Chairman/ President for 2010: Alistair Cumming

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Aims for the future: To provide leadership to its members in order to create a unified, growing and internationally respected sport.

To continue to promote polocrosse within NZ and to encourage increased participation.

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A C l o s e r When we think of the Netherlands and its association with horses we might think of Dutch warmbloods, dressage excellence and expensive show-jumpers.

It is only recently that we have begun to think of them as a polocrosse playing nation.

The Netherlands

For a number of years we have seen the development of polocrosse in the continent begin to unfurl. France, Norway, Germany and Holland have taken to the sport with the encouragement of foreign coaches to aid them, many of whom have come from our own shores. Holland is fortunately located and within good travelling distance of Germany and France, a hop over the North Sea for the Norwegians (albeit not as easy as it sounds) and a swim across the channel for us Brits and a few adventurous Irish. Holland, Germany and France regularly play Despite small against each other, pooling what is a comparatively membership numbers small membership in each and great expense individual country into a larger playing body when they have played they meet for tournaments.

Zambia Junior vs Netherlands – June 2009

repeatedly on the both home.

The Dutch Polocrosse world stage, Association has split the country into 5 areas: the abroad and at South-West, West, MidNetherlands, North-East and North. From these areas, teams are drawn to play in tournaments.

Although the Dutch suffer from not having a similar Pony Club system to ours, they still manage to run out International teams to play against countries such as France, Germany, Zambia and the UK. The Dutch are beginning to surmount the problem of a lack of youth infrastructure and are beginning to create greater competition amongst their players; something they have identified as key to the growth of the sport. Due to such a strong Dutch equine tradition for taking part in Show Jumping and Dressage it is clear that it might take some time to fully establish the sport in the country. Owning a horse is difficult in the Netherlands, especially in the West, where the stables are too expensive for most people. The lack of pasture causes problems in places where land is too expensive.

Nevertheless, the determination of those playing in the Netherlands is an inspiration to us all.

Despite small membership numbers and great expense they have played repeatedly on the world stage, both abroad and at home. We hope to see them continue to visit the UK in the coming years as their sport flourishes.

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Whilst traveling around East Africa last year I somehow managed to end up in one of the most exciting and beautiful places in the World. Nestled ostentatiously between Zambia and Zimbabwe is the roaring tumult of Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world.

opportunities that the Falls presented us.

On our first evening we went on a river cruise up the fast flowing Zambezi river, with hippos and crocodiles lurking in the shallows to either side of us. The scenery was truly stunning, and as the sun began to set, clearer by far than anything to be seen in over-populated Europe, familiar constellations began to appear with greater clarity than I’ve ever seen before.

Zambia

Whilst staying in a backpackers lodge in the nearby town of Livingstone my friends and I took full advantage of the spectacular

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

A Closer Look A closer look at two up and coming polocrosse nations: ZAMBIA THE NETHERLANDS

L o o k The following day we cycled across the rail bridge that separates Zimbabwe from Zambia. There is a taboo against traveling into Zimbabwe, something that us polocrosse players feel keenly as so many of our friends came from that same land, forced out by threats and bitter history. Yet, I can honestly say that as we crossed the border on our clanking, half-broken bicycles we were presented with the most efficient border crossing in Africa. As an institution, the Zimbabwean government is wary of the British, separate, extortionate visa costs applying! Yet, the people themselves were friendly and welcoming, as if apologizing for the mistakes of a few petty men in power. The Zimbabwe I saw around the Victoria Falls was welcoming, efficient and full of hope, with a new government emerging and old wrongs beginning to be corrected. It was worth the travel to gain another startling view of Zimbabwe and also of the Falls.

In the following days I would Bungie off that same rail Bridge, and relax after months of living in an isolated village in Malawi. Somehow, I’m not quite sure how, I heard about an Easter polocrosse training day nearby next to the River. I never knew

there was polocrosse in Zambia, or if I did it simply didn’t register to check it out as I was passing through. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to take part. Through chatting to the owner of my hostel I managed to arrange for a retired Major from the British Army to pick me up early the next day and drive me to the polocrosse field.

Zambia is full of ex-Zimbabwean polocrosse players, and along with some homegrown talent they have set up a rapidly growing polocrosse association that now has 6 clubs and 120 players.

I was fortunate to be taken to Livingstone Polocrosse Club’s beautiful fields, situated a few short miles from the town, and some 50 meters from the Zambezi River. With two fields and a permanent wooden stand the club still retains its memories of a time when it played regularly against its neighbors in Zimbabwe. Now some few of those neighbors have merged with the Zambian club, making the journey over the rail bridge with their horses for training and practices.

me safely home. After asking to pay for pony hire and the food I ate, I was politely refused. We were a strange mix us polocrosse players. There were of course Zambians and Zimbabweans with stories to tell, but also people from Hong Kong, a son who would be playing pony club polo in England next summer, and me, thousands of miles away from the small village in Gloucestershire where I was brought up.

I would recommend anyone to visit Zambia. With clubs all over the country there is now a fun and action packed polocrosse season awaiting those bold enough to go, regardless of age and ability.

Zambia is the eighth nation to be welcomed into the World Cup community, and we hope to see a strong side from them next year. Their close proximity to Zimbabwe allows for some good training and competition and I don’t doubt that they will make a successful impact in the UK in 2011.

John Whitehead

Everyone was hugely welcoming and thanks must go to Doug who leant me a horse, fed me and saw

Demonstrations 2009 saw a number of high profile demos staged at various events around the country in order to help increase awareness of the sport and get more people playing polocrosse.

Iain Heaton and Penny Webb talk about the exciting polocrosse demonstrations that happened in 2009 and plans for promoting the sport in the future

days where playing at high speed, much to the delight of the watching crowds, which grew every day. Indeed some people came back to watch the demos multiple times and it got to the point where individual players had their own fan clubs.

What was particularly good was the number of people who came up to us to say how good the team was and how impressed they were with the way they rode and controlled their horses.

2009 Demonstrations 2009 saw a number of high profile demos staged at various events around the country in order to help increase awareness of the sport and get more people playing polocrosse.

Firstly there was the Royal Cornwall show in June. Players from around the UK made the trip down to Cornwall, where they were made to feel wonderfully welcome by Ros and David Boisseau.

They performed the demo in the main arena of the show, sandwiched in between events such as the Kangaroo kid and the Human Cannonball, which guaranteed them a large and excited crowd.

They did not disappoint, firstly demonstrating to the crowd the skills of both the horses and riders before playing a number of action packed chukkas in a boys versus girls format. The crowd seemed to favour the girls’ team and though there was no official score kept the girls scored the last goal of the match. The crowd certainly seemed to think they had won, which gave them the bragging rights as the team headed back to the Boisseau’s for an evening BBQ before running a pony club training day for a number of the local pony clubs the next day.

Next up was Blenheim Horse Trials in September, which lasted four days and involved about 20 different players. The squad was put together

by Lewis Parr (who deserves particular praise for his hard work over the weekend) and was made up of mainly Junior and Under 21 players. They performed a total of 6 demos during the 4 days.

The arena at Blenheim was quite a bit smaller than a standard polocrosse pitch, but the team adapted really well to it and by the end of the four

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Finally, on the demo circuit came the Your Horse Live show in November. The team here performed a demo on both days of the show in the main arena. As with Blenheim the arena was tighter than a normal pitch and it was made doubly hard by the fact it was indoors and very hot for both the horses and riders. However, the team we took did a wonderful job, with Jason Webb and his stock horse stallion Diesel demonstrating and explaining about the numerous skills of both the horse and rider, interspersed with fast paced chukkas from the rest of the demo team.

The arena at Your Horse live holds up to 2000 people and it was pretty packed on both days (though unfortunately we never got a full house) and everyone who spoke to us afterwards seemed to have really enjoyed watching and had learnt a great deal about the sport.

With Iain Heaton commentating, our demonstration slot was split between Jason demonstrating various horsemanship and polocrosse skills on his Australian Stock Horse Stallion, Risebridge Diesel, and the six players partaking in chukkas. Although we were in the Main Arena, space was limited and the glare of the lights made it very hot work.

However, the horses and players coped admirably and the audience fully appreciated their efforts and enjoyed seeing the sport first hand.

The UKPA stand was subsequently visited by a number of people who expressed a lot of interest in getting involved. Thanks again to all those who gave up their time to help out on the stand and of course the players and ponies for being great ambassadors for polocrosse!

You can view parts of our demonstration via: http://www.horsemart.co.uk/video/horsemart_ how_to_play_polocrosse_part_2/1011 Penny Webb

BBC Does Polocrosse: Mike Bushell, the BBC sports presenter, came to try his hand at polocrosse as part of his Saturday morning slot on ‘Breakfast’ on BBC1 where he tries out various sports. Having had a go at polo before, Mike was keen to get started on Sophie Harding’s ‘Imperiosa’ at Risebridge Farm under the tutelage of Jason Webb. Mike coped admirably and by the end was involved in game situations where he even scored a goal or two!

Once again, it proved an invaluable way of showcasing our sport to the public, with the programme being broadcast to millions of viewers. Mike enjoyed himself so much he is even thinking of coming to a tournament!

Penny Webb

A massive thank you must go to all the riders and helpers who took part in the demos but in particular Ros and David Boisseau for their hospitality and hard work in Cornwall, Lewis Parr for arranging all the details at Blenheim and Penny and Jason Webb for masterminding the Your Horse Live demo.

Iain heaton

Your Horse Live Demo It was a great honour for the UKPA to demonstrate at Your Horse Magazine’s “Live Event”. With well over 20,000 people visiting the event, it provided a unique opportunity to showcase our sport amongst other demonstrators such as Monty Roberts, Tim Stockdale and Andrew Gould! Held in November when most polocrosse ponies are turning into woolly bears in the paddock, we were really thankful to Jason Webb, James Robertson, Sarah Dernie, Lindie Hillier and Nicki Robinson for the use of their horses and to Jason, James, Sarah, Tom Beney, Rhiannyd Lee Jones, Islay Young and Joel Sics for showcasing their polocrosse skills.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Arden I’d like to start by thanking everyone involved in Arden Polocrosse Club for helping make it one of my most memorable years of polocrosse.

This year, as a club we have tried hard and put our all into Arden, whether it be the mentoring scheme we introduced to try and help our players progress in the sport, or the tremendous support we had from the non playing ‘friends of Arden’ helping us put on 2 tournaments and a ball. One of the people helping the club tick along in the background was Nadine Bristow the best secretary any Chairman could hope to have.

Thanks Nadine!

Texas and Ellie Renshaw from Western Australia to play and party with us this year.

Hamish Michael, Rob Jenkinson, Danny Duhig, Sophie Lodder and Greg Sergeant.

Rachael started the season with us and played all divisions from A to C with equal commitment.

Ellie joined later in the season and concentrated on bringing on youngsters, working tirelessly on the fitness of all the horses in her charge. On a personal note I would like to thank Ellie for helping me with my horses throughout the season.

Natasha Mason picked up the Best New Polocrosse Player award at the UKPA Ball.

On a sad note I would just like to remember all the horses we have lost in the club through death this year.

R.I.P: Tombie, Elsa, Celica, Tina, Kirsch

This year, some of our Juniors spread their wings and went off to Australia on tour. What would have seemed a daunting prospect for some players of their age saw our members taking enthusiastically to the opportunity. We are very proud to have Layla Henshaw and Ashleigh Burbidge representing the club overseas.

We have had some great times this season. We made an effort early in the season to give our younger players some experience further up the grades, and a chance for some of the pupils in our Mentor Scheme to play with their mentors. Danny and myself had Sarah Newell playing with us at Pennine in the A. At Kent Target we mixed some of our juniors who were due to go on tour in Oz with the A players as well, which made for some entertaining games particularly Arden against Arden in the Final! Finally our Juniors had a long awaited and memorable win at the Nationals.

Keeping the spirit of worldwide polocrosse alive we were pleased to welcome Rachael Gayler from

International Caps this year were awarded to Ashleigh Burbidge, Layla Henshaw

We had a great fun day at the end of the season the inaugural Chairmans Cup a competition of mixed grades and ages where the chairman gets to award prizes in an entirely biased and random manner (people still seemed to enjoy it though!)

The finale of our season though was undoubtedly the ‘James Bond-meets-Polocrosse Arden Ball.’

Mark Briggs, the Arden bar and social manager, almost single handedly organized the ball!

Ellie, Kirsty and Sophie did a grand job on the decorations in the hall (not helped at all by me sorry girls!). Thanks must also go to Rob Button and the team from Aubery Allen Catering for the great food!

Finally I would like to thank all our club officers and helpers and of course the hosts of our Club Mr and Mrs Lodder for their valuable support throughout the season Simon Paynter

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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that we are privileged to receive from the owners of Ashfields. Two additional pitches were created in a fenced area allowing us to now be able to provide 7 pitches if required.

Ashfields 2009 was the biggest year for the Club so far with membership growing to over 40 members and the staging of 3 tournaments, including the International Test Matches between South Africa & United Kingdom and the hosting of the UKPA National championships.

We started our season early with indoor training that started on the first Sunday in January and ran every second Sunday till the beginning of April when training moved outdoors. A big thank you has to be given to the people that helped at these training sessions. Special thanks must go to Ms Edie Neill, Mr Kim Lampard and Mr Iain Heaton for their support, and of course to the members that travelled so far to attend these training sessions.

We must also thank the owners of Ashfields for their support in letting us use their facilities.

Without this support we could not have hosted the events that we did.

The financial crisis hit our club early with all major sponsors pulling out for the 2009 season. This left the club with a dilemma as to whether we should alter our plans to host the International Test Matches, as a budget of £20,000 was needed to host this event. A decision was made to continue as planned. We had to get creative on other ways of raising these funds. In the end we managed to pull it off. The final spend was £25,000 with income of £26,500, managing to make a small profit of £1,500. An enormous thank you has to be given to the Humphreys, the Verhagens and their extended families. Without their support, time, hard work and dedication this event would not have happened.

Our first tournament of 2009 was the Ashfield Cup held in May. This event was well attended and the winner of the Ashfields Cup was Mr Hamish Micheal.

Ashfields were also privileged to have two members of our club chosen to play for the UK under sixteen squads: Livvy Foley and Jonathan Swift.

The next event was the International Test Matches between South Africa and United Kingdom, with a normal tournament running alongside it. Again, this event was well attended with over 500 people staying on site for three days and over 3,500 spectators attending the event. This was probably one of the most attended events that Polocrosse has seen in the country.

The National Championships was held in August.

Unfortunately it was marred by tragedy and our thoughts are with the owners of two brilliant horses that had to be put down. Our teams did well at the C and D grade level and we hope to carry this on next year and look to move up the grades. We plan to host less tournaments in the coming season and concentrate more on our own teams.

News for 2010.

One week after the Nationals all the pitches were dug up and renewed at a considerable cost to the owners. This is another example of the support

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The new pitches will be available from May and should help get rid of the hard ground conditions that we experienced at the Nationals last year. The owners also have plans to build a reservoir and to purchase special equipment to allow the pitches to be watered automatically with massive booms in five runs per pitch. This should allow the fields to be in almost perfect condition even in the driest weather conditions.

Indoor training will start again in February and continue through to the end of April.

Details can be found on the website at www. ashfieldspolocosse.com. So far Ashfields plans to hold one tournament, the Ashfields Cup, on June 19/20th.

We have a new Chairman for the 2010 season, with Mrs Lorraine Foley taking over after Mr Martin Verhagen, chairman for the last 4 years, who is resigning due to work commitments. Martin will still hold an executive post as secretary for Ashfields Polocrosse club and will still be active in the club.

Martin Verhagen

Celyn Celyn’s season started on a worrying note with the near loss of Chris Illingworth due to a serious hunting accident, luckily he made a great recovery through the season. Whilst recovering Chris played along with the up and coming new and young enthusiasts in the club, acting as a great coach and mentor. This included Anna Kimber and Sarah Flemming from Mobberly Riding School who have been great supporters since last winter together with their pupils. The Williams family attended every tournament of the season, which is a record in our club I’m sure.

Chris being below par left Barry Amor and John Marsland to take the honour of playing in the European Matches at Doncaster and to WIN for the UK, they claim on their own, will we never be allowed to forget it!

Progressing on through club achievements, Olivia Miller enjoyed the tremendous benefits of going out with the U16 squad to Australia in the summer, and returned to play in the winning Celyn C grade team at the Nationals; a baptism of fire and a flaming final. The winning team consisted of Rosie and Amy Miller, John Marsland , Simon Amor and Amy Hughes. Unforgettable must be the picture of Rosie ending up on the back of another players’ horse with them!

Simon Amor played for the U21s against the Irish. He was voted Best Male Player by the Irish.

This test match was the last tournament of the year held at our new ground near Chester at Mollington. The U16 and U21 selections were held at the same time as well as a low level tournament.

It is a great and accessible venue and was highly acclaimed by everyone who came as being the most fun tournament of the season.

Canterbury Colts

This year the UKPA put on a display at Blenhiem Horse Trials and Simon and Olivia as squad members both contributed to this.

Following the growth of polocrosse in Kent encouraged by Kent Target, a new club is starting up in the county. Based in East Kent and led by Mike Turner and Bob Sherwood (former chairman and deputy chair of Kent Target), the Canterbury Colts aims to establish itself this year with a small group of enthusiastic players.

Annemieke Mitchell although on her gap year did keep her eye on Polocrosse. Whilst in Australia she spent 6 weeks playing with Jane and Loch Melbourne and played her first A grade match at Warwick with them. Her mother has never heard her as excited as se was when her team won and she rang home. It is tremendous that Celyn has potentially 6 players on the squads for 2010. We have Olivia Miller, Ceri and Ross Williams on the U16’s and both Simon Amor and Annemieke on the U21’s .

Formed with the aim of spreading polocrosse more widely across the region, the new club has grown out of Kent Target with its backing and hopes to be able to share some coaching and practice sessions next season, as well as engaging in some friendly rivalry in chukkas.

We also have the amazing Sarah Simkin who played on the Ladies team against South Africa, the :adies notably winning their sections again.

We must of course remember Tom and Mark Simkin who took a month out of their lives to go to Australia with the U16 UK squad.

We are keen to foster a strong club ethos in the Canterbury Colts and will bring on a group of players who are relatively new to the game alongside some existing Kent players, focusing initially on the mid to lower divisions. Keep an eye out for the red and gold colours at the opening tournaments.

We look forward to another exciting season ahead in 2010. However we are acutely aware that our club need new up and coming members to come though the ranks.

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

Croome 2009 was an interesting season for Pegasus Croome. In spite of our low numbers we have been included in other teams and are grateful for the help an cooperation we have received.

We welcomed Charlie Cameron back after some time spent recuperating from a heart operation and she threw herself into play with no holds barred!

Back in July four intrepid Croome players set sail to the continent for the French training camp and tournament. I’m not sure the horses were particularly keen on the ferry but they were all fine after a night’s rest and some very sweet French hay!

We had a fantastic welcome from the French polocrosse community in the historic Bai de Somme, and all had the opportunity to try out our schoolboy/girl French in a number of ways. I think that all concerned are now fully fluent in giving French polocrosse directions, such as left, right behind you etc.

As well as four day’s training in the beautiful French countryside with French, German, Dutch, Belgian and Irish players, there was a day’s riding to the beach, playing polocrosse & swimming in the ocean.

Our time ended with a mix and match tournament.

I’m sure we’ll all have very fond memories of our time in France for a long time to come. We may even be persuaded to go again!

Sadly, this was followed by the very wet and eventually abandoned Usk camp and tournament which couldn’t have proved more of a contrast!

We are very grateful to Alex Bull and Charlotte Pykett for their help in training throughout the season, despite their own commitments.

The middle part of the season was once again dominated in the main with the Mens’ and Ladies’ Tests vs South Africa, at Ashfields Polocrosse Club in Essex. Highlanders were represented by no fewer than 8 of the 14 players with Guy Robertson, Martin Brookes, James Robertson and Jono Keen in the Mens’ and Debbie Harris, Charlotte Pykett, Sarah Simkin and Lucy Shell in the women’s.

Congratulations again on their representation and their individual performances.

This season Highlander’s tournament and Camp was once again staged at Doxford Farm, Northumberland, by kind permission of Tom and Sarah Shell. This proved to be a well attended camp, tournament and social event confirming its place as one of the more popular events in the Polocrosse calendar.

Unfortunately, Nationals did not go as planned with the finals on the Sunday having to be abandoned due to the hard ground. However, it was the 5th consecutive final we have reached having won in 2005,2006 and 2008 and Runners Up in 2007 maintaining the clubs perfect record.

We did however have two of our players in a final, merging with a Welshdragons E-Grade side, Dawn Goodfellow and Laura Donnelly were narrowly defeated in a thrilling final against Vale Impi. We look forward to seeing them go one better next year with the much awaited return of Sarah Shell who was sidelined all year through injury.

Finally, congratulations to our UK award winners Guy Robertson Best Men’s 1, Charlotte Pykett Best Ladies 1, Sarah Simkin Best Ladies 2, and Helen Hodgetts with her much deserved Charles Mason award for her contribution to Polocrosse this season.

for their inclusion in 2010 squads and to Simon Shearing for his coaching appointment. We are also very thankful to members who lent horses for test matches (The Rowdens, Amund Svensen, Wayne Henning, Kim Lampard), Your Horse Live demo (Nicki Robinson and Ash Meek) and for BBC Sports Presenter, Mike Bushell, to learn polocrosse on (Sophie Harding)!

As ever, we have enjoyed an Aussie influence to our coaching. Thanks to Jason Webb, Chris Dunlop and Islay Young and to others such as Wayne Henning who put a lot of effort into developing our players. It is very hard to manage such a large number of players in terms of coaching and team selection, so huge thanks must go to the selectors who narrowly avoided end of season breakdowns!

The club has always been very lucky in terms of having permanent grounds and strong local support. However, next year will see an exciting development in Kent and Sussex, with outgoing Chairman Mikey Turner setting up a club in the east of Kent, the Canterbury Colts, and potentially a new club on the borders of West Sussex. A new wave of Pony Club players are getting involved and it is hoped that this will hopefully make polocrosse even more accessible in the area; exciting times for polocrosse in the south east!

Best of luck to everyone in 2010 and look forward to meeting you on the field and at the bar!

Kent Target Polocrosse Club

Pennine

Bring on 2010

Kent Target 2009 was a successful year for Kent, recording wins at the majority of tournaments we attended, the highlight being our brilliant D Grade team winning at the National Championships! With over forty playing members and our younger players moving up through the ranks, we were able to field teams in all divisions at most tournaments, including two B grade sides more often than not. It is also exciting to see a new wave of Juniors and Primary Juniors coming into the sport in the Kent and Sussex area.

The 2009 season officially started at Ashfields with Pennine coming second to Arden after a hard fought C Grade cup final. The tables were turned however, when our Juniors beat off Arden’s challenge in the Junior final.

We were lucky in 2009 to be joined by new members Luke Mathie, Alex Richardson, Laura Donnelly and Alex Bull, all of whom helped to strengthen an already strong squad of young British polocrosse talent.

Our tournament was the largest one we have held, with 126 players – thank you to all for braving the M25! With a new irrigating system in place, our clay ground was improved significantly. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves and will be back next year (the Hay Bar and Special Jelly will once again play a starring role on Saturday night!).

Unofficial preparations for the season had begun at the beginning of the year with players and their families coming together at various meetings to organise the Pennine Tournament, which was next on the schedule. Rain just prior to the Tournament meant that last minute remarking of the pitches was required, otherwise the Tournament was judged a success with a good deal of sunshine, a strong level of entries and some highly competitive play. The Saturday night disco was supplemented

by Ashfields domination of the ‘Jockey Simulation Suite’, kindly opened up for us by the Northern Racecourse College.

Club funds were also boosted by the innovative ‘pooh picking and paddock slave’ services offered to other teams by a number of the Pennine players and their families.

Big thanks go out to all those who helped with organising and making such a success of our 2009 Tournament.

The 2009 season began for Martin, Sarah, Guy, Charlotte and Debbie at the Quadrangular series in NSW, Australia. The tournament featured the world’s Top 4 Polocrosse nations and was extremely hard fought. Congratulations to all on their performances.

We were very proud of our players who played internationally this year: Kerry Bean, Annie Waterer and Jason Webb (Open), Hazel Wilson, Sammy Rowden, Will Halcrow (U21) and Richard Felce (U16). Congratulations also to Oli Harwood (U21 Development) and Oli Halcrow (U16 Development)

With our own Tournament over we could then concentrate on enjoying the rest of the season.

It was particularly rewarding to watch our PJ’s develop and grow in confidence. The Pennine PJ’s/ Juniors clinched wins at many of the Tournaments with Max Pedley voted as Best Number 1 on a

Lynne Cameron

Highlanders

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number of occasions. The season also saw Katie Kitchen-Dunn improve at a huge rate.

Pennine C grade player, Emily-Kate Gilfillan captained the Junior UK Squad in Australia. Play was far better than expected and the entire Squad were a credit to our sport in representing the UK. At D Grade Pennine battled hard throughout the season, sometimes paired with other clubs and with some excellent individual player performances. Whilst there were few top place wins, the players’ points total helped push the Club’s overall score to the top echelons of the Polocrosse Extreme League tables.

For the C Grade, it was a somewhat frustrating season, coming runners up in a number of the Tournament finals. However, in the first Tournament of the year, the Pennine C Grade clinched a memorable win beating Vale Impi after a particularly hard fought match which only resulted in a final victory after a nail biting golden goal play off.

In the B Grade, Pennine got stronger through the season and secured places in the finals at many of the Tournaments. However, the most memorable moment was when both Pennine teams fought their way through to the “B Grade Final” at the Nationals. Sadly, as we all know, that match was not to be and we can only speculate as to the final outcome. Pennine did manage to clinch the Primary Junior Final, well done to all of the team on such a well deserved win.

Nationals also saw Pennine taking a number of individual awards for Best Players and our congratulations go out to Joel Sics (B Grade no.

1 and Male Player), Sarah Peaker (B Grade no. 3 and Ladies’ Player), Max Pedley (PJ no. 1), Katie Kitchen-Dunn (Primary Junior no. 3) and Emily Kate Gilfillan (C Grade no. 3).

Best horse awards at Nationals went to Sarah Peaker’s Papoose, Alex Rowley’s Bailey and Max Pedley’s Gilly.

Congratulations to the Pennine players who have featured strong in the 2010 UK Squad selections:

Rustlers Rustlers was set up by Gail King and Christine Stansfield in 2009 to help develop polocrosse in the North. With the opening of the Yorkshire Polocrosse Academy it became clear that a club was needed that would offer free temporary membership to people who wanted to have a go before committing to full membership.

It was also apparent that some of the people who attended the Free Taster Days at the Academy wanted play but weren’t confident enough to attend a full tournament. To encourage them and develop their playing skills Rustlers put on some training days with fun chukkas at the Academy.

Margaret Bradley and Annelise Richardson joined Gail and Christine to help with this. It is hoped that some of those who attended these events will go on to be full members of the UKPA in 2010 and join a playing club.

As no one stepped forward to host the European Challenge for 2009 Gail and Christine, again with the help of Margaret and Annelise decided to take this on. Teams from France, Norway, Germany, Holland and the UK battled it out. The UK remained triumphant. Thanks must go to everyone who lent horses and helped out over the weekend.

Rustlers were happy to sponsor E division at the National Championships and hope to be able to do so again in 2010

Solent

U21 Squad – Bryony Cross, Rhi Lee-Jones and Annemieke Mitchell U21 (Development) – Suki-Jo Whitehouse, Beth Scott and Morgan Griffiths Junior Squad – Alex Rowley and Emily Kate Gilfillan Junior (Development) – Max Pedley and Katy Wise My thanks to all our players and members for a really enjoyable 2009 season and here is to 2010.

Guy Gilfillan, Chairman

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Some Solent players participated in the European Challenge with Heather Kelly, Kat Forrest and Zoe Irons doing their part to drive England to a victory. Heather Kelly also won Best Horse; well done Minnie! Two of our younger players, Hannah Fletcher and Joe Hopkins represented England in the Tri Nations held in Ireland. Dan Kelly earned his first cap playing for the UK Under 21 side against Ireland. Here’s to 2010, hope to see you all very soon!!

What a year for Solent! 2009 has been another very successful year, for the club as a whole and also for a number of individuals who have done incredibly well.

At the first Kent tournament of the season our E Grade team defeated Vale Impi in a nail biting finale. Solent proved to be an unstoppable club at the Ashfields Tournaments in May and July winning the D grade both times. Solent fielded a C Grade team at Ashfields with some great homegrown talent. Although we didn’t win, we put up an impressive performance with Katherine Hopkins taking Best No. 2 (and several of Iain Heaton’s fingers, sorry Iain!!). At Midland Tournament we again shone in the lower grades.

The D Grade team battled it out against Vale Impi to win by one goal. This team contained 2 players, James Bicknell and Kian O’Hara, who only started playing this year. In fact James only started riding this year! In the C grade Solent forced the French/ Ashfields side to a Golden Goal, Dan managed to score this in an unconventional way, but we’re pleased it went in all the same!

Vale Impi This is the first year that Vale Impi had enough players to field teams playing in our own colours, and we have done amazingly well. We managed to get all ponies, players, shirts and timetables in the right place at the right time at all of the tournaments. Thanks to our coach, Neil Smith, we managed to play very well too!

The year started with a small number of players who had been recruited over the winter and the club soon started to grow with new players coming in. Most of the members had never played polocrosse before and it was fantastic to see them gain in confidence and skills over the following weeks. The key to our success has been practice practice, practice and then practice again with many of the kids camping out at the training grounds and riding from dawn until dusk on various horses; even when it was dark they would practice their stick skills until bedtime.

Nationals was a massive success for us with a win for one of our E Grade teams and a credible 4th for the other; missing out on a 3rd by another heartbreaking golden goal. In the C division, our team played brilliantly in only their second C division tournament. Playing on various borrowed and swapped around horses they were unplaced but happy. We also came away with two Best No. 1 awards, a Best No. 2, a Best Lady Player, two Best Male Player, a Most Outstanding Under 14 Player, a Best Horse and finally a Best Horse and Rider Combination. Well done Matt, Tom, Katie, Henry, Chris, Mango and Waxxie!

All in all, over the year we played our hearts out and were so happy to just be playing let alone winning!

We ended the year in spectacular fashion with 3 of our players being picked for the UK squads for 2010, not bad for a club with around 20 members.

Well done to everyone and thank you to all the clubs who put on such wonderful tournaments over the season. Once again, 3 cheers for the horses!

Susan Hendy

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

the Junior Development Squad, Llywellyn Harrison and George Boisseau were selected for Under 21s Development Squad and Lewis Parr and John Whitehead were selected for Under 21s Squad. A good end to the season.

Welsh Dragons

Welshdragons are looking forward to the 2010 season.

us to travel to most UKPA tournaments, so we hope to find a venue in the Taunton/Bridgwater area to see if we can get more Polocrosse in the South-West.

We are close to surfing beaches and can offer accommodation, so anyone looking for a holiday who is prepared to do some coaching would be welcomed with open arms, and plenty of Cornish beer and pasties!

Ros Boisseau

We also had an E Grade section. David Harrison joined his son Llywellyn on the pitch having been stuck on the sidelines for the past couple of seasons. Together with Hetta Carthew they formed a great trio who improved with each match they played.

As the season moved on we were joined by more pony clubbers eager to attend the Welshdragons and Centaur Camp and play in the following tournament. As you all know this is where things didn’t go so well. One month’s rain fell in one day on Usk and the neighbouring hills, it then swept down the valley and pooled on Usk Showground.

It was a disaster. Although everyone had problems, the poor people in tents were obviously worst affected. It was amazing that nobody moaned, everyone pulled together and made the best of it. The undoubted heroes were the catering core who kept everyone fed and watered despite the horrific conditions. Thank You. The financial implications for the two clubs involved took time to sort out. We would like to thank all the UKPA Clubs for their support. We will not be holding a tournament in the 2010 season but will undoubtedly do so in the future when a suitable venue has been found, one well above sea level!

Jan Whitehead and Jo Carthew organised training chukkas and a barbeque at Gabury by kind permission of Ledbury Pony club. It was a great success with younger players and we plan to hold more one-day events next season.

At Nationals we fielded teams in B, E and Junior divisions. Most of the E and Junior teams were playing in their first ever Nationals and when they had recovered from the epic journey enjoyed the whole experience. Our E Grade team benefited from having Laura Donnelly and Dawn Goodfellow play with them and they made it to the finals.

Having Highlanders yelling support and advice from the sidelines was a great help but not quite enough to prevent Vale Impi from winning; the atmosphere was terrific.

Lewis Parr played in the Irish Test hosted by Celyn at the end of the season. It was also the venue for squad selection for 2010. Hetta Carthew, Lauren Williams and Gabi Jones made

Westcountry Warriors

The Warriors have had a great first season. We have drawn members from four different Pony Clubs in Cornwall and Devon, plus gaining interest from a number of adults keen to try the sport.

We have had regular weekly sessions throughout the Summer at Hawksland, near Wadebridge, and are now on a fortnightly programme at a large indoor venue, given to us free of charge, which is a wonderful help.

We were extremely fortunate to be invited to stage a Polocrosse demonstration at the Royal Cornwall Show in June. Guy Robertson, Charlotte Pykett, Laura Scott and Iain Heaton made the long journey to Cornwall, for which we were extremely grateful. Despite the rather miserable weather, our makeshift stand at the BHS tent drew considerable interest. Radio Cornwall interviewed me at 7.45 am and I was surprised how many people heard it.

The afternoon cleared up, and the UKPA players, supported by new members George Boisseau and Olivia Hamilton turned out to perfection. They drew a great deal of interest in the warm-up arena.

One of the local Pony Club members was watching open-mouthed as Guy and Charlotte were practising marking each other – and was amazed by the turns Guy executed on Cindy - real wow factor stuff! The large main ring was packed with spectators, and Iain did a warm-up commentary about skills, then handed over to Ursula for match commentary. Ursula got the crowd cheering and clapping, and the demo match was excellent. It has certainly produced some interest down here, so let’s hope that next year we may be able to get some players coming down to Cornwall as we would love to host a tournament.

We have had the benefit of coaching from toplevel players. Laura Scott was kind enough to offer us another evening later in the Summer when she was on holiday in the South-West, and this went brilliantly. We have noticed a good improvement in those players who attended, so thank you to all who have helped us!

We are delighted that one of our members George Boisseau has been selected for the Under 21’s development squad. He was lucky enough to have spent the summer with Guy Robertson, from whom he gained a huge amount of experience.

I hope that next year more of our members will have the opportunity to take part in UKPA tournaments. We have been most unlucky in the Southern Region with the cancellation of the Usk camp and tournament, and the cancellation of the Solent tournament. It is a very long way for

U K PA PO LO CRO S S E M AG A Z I NE – DD D E S IGN

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2009 was certainly an eventful season for Welshdragons. Although we lacked an A Grade side we were joined by several new members and were able to field a Junior and a B grade team. It was good to see new players from South Wales who had begun playing several seasons ago at Usk Tournament Pony Club Days begin to travel to other clubs tournaments. It was a credit to our juniors that having lost their very first game to the UKPA Junior squad 24/1 they came off smiling. (It was also a credit to the Junior Squad!) After that things could only get better.

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Season Preview Iain Heaton explains how the 2010 season will be the best yet for the UK

Season

Preview There are a number of inbound tours heading for the UK this year. Ireland are bringing over their Open and Junior sides in July to play against the UK. New South Wales will be travelling their Junior side to the UK this year, after our Juniors went on tour to Australia last year. Our Under 21’s will also have a busy season, with a tour to Ireland at the start of May and then the USA Under 21’s coming over to the UK later in the year.

The Under 21’s unfortunately lost to a strong Irish side at the end of last season but they have learnt from that and will hopefully gain revenge abroad in Ireland. The Irish open and Junior sides promise to be very strong and the test matches in the summer should be a wonderful contest to watch as both countries try to finalise their World Cup squads. The Junior and Open test matches will be held on the 24th and 25th of July.

There is also the return of the Inter Regionals contest this year for the first time since 2004. The Inter Regionals will see the five regions of the UKPA (East, Midlands, North, South, and Wales), run out teams at various levels to compete against each other to decide who can declare themselves Regional Champions of 2010. The Inter Regionals will take place two weeks after the Nationals on the 12th and 13th of September.

the number of Pony Clubs playing polocrosse has grown dramatically, and this year it should expand still further, making the Championships one of the biggest and best to date. There are numerous smaller pony club tournaments around the UK throughout the summer months for teams to hone their skills at before the Championships.

Alongside all this national and international action there will be a number of demonstrations involving various UKPA squads and members, in order to promote and grow the sport.

Just when you might think it is time to rest and relax as the playing season ends in September the off season begins with the UKPA Ball (where you can find out which clubs have won the league competitions and which players have won individual awards), the UKPA AGM and yet more demonstrations and promotional work.

So, all in all, 2010 promises to be an action packed and exciting year, regardless of whether you are playing, watching, demonstrating or helping out by doing the countless number of jobs which need doing for each tournament and event. I wish you the best of luck in your preparations for the coming year and hope to see many of you when the first ball is thrown in.

Time on!!

The Pony Club has for many years been a great breeding ground for future polocrosse stars, so anyone wanting to see some of the potential greats of the future would be wise to go and watch the Pony Club Championships on the 21st and 22nd of August. Over the last couple of years

Iain Heaton

© pauladayphotography.co.uk

2010 promises to be an even bigger and better year than 2009 as the UK continues its build up to the World Cup in 2011. It looks like the tournament schedule will be even busier than usual throughout the summer with some exciting new tournaments appearing, and of course the UK National Championships at the end of August.

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TIME ON

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Lessons, clinics, training, colt starting, horsemanship demonstrations Located in the heart of the country, on the outskirts of Stratford upon Avon. Indoor and outdoor facilities, fantastic out riding. Lessons given on your horse or ours. Fineline Horsemanship demos, clinics problem solving and general tips on building a great relationship with your horse.

Shane Borland 2008 AQHA-UK Senior Reining Champion, British Reining High Point Champion 2008 and 2009, representing South Africa at the next World Equestrian Games, Kentucky USA 2010.

Everyone welcome regardless of your ability or interest in horses.

Contact Shane Borland 07979966806 or Vix Borland 07825509636 info@borlandquarterhorses.com www.borlandquarterhorses.com

Images supplied by

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2010 events

EVENTS2010 MAY

29 - 30

Kent Target Tournament

Risebridge Farm, Goudhurst

30 - 31

Kingsfield Rustlers Tournament & Demo

Harrogate, West Yorkshire

1 - 2

Rustlers Camp

Park House Farm, Husthwaite, York

5 - 6

Pennine Tournament

Northern Racing College, Doncaster

12 - 13

Think like a pony demo, by Lynn Henry

Bishop Burtn College, Beverly

19 - 20

Ashfields Tournament

Ashfields, Great Canfield, Essex

26 - 27

Great Northern Tournament

Northern Racing College, Doncaster

3 - 4

Arden Tournament

Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire

10 - 11

Polocrosse Demonstration at Festival of The Horse

Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

17 - 18

Cotswold Tournament

Pimbury Farm, Nr Tetbury

24 - 25

Celyn Tournament – Inc. UK vs EIRE Open Tests

Mollington, Chester

JUN

JUL

31 - 1

AUG 3 - 5

Midland Camp

Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire

7 - 8

Midland Tournament

Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire

14 - 15

Pony Club Championships

Draycott House, Notts

21 - 22

Highlanders Tournament

Doxford Farm, Northumbria

27 - 29

UKPA National Championships

Rugby Polo Club

9 - 12

Polocrosse Demo – Blenheim International Horse Trials

Blenhein Palace, Oxfordshire

18 - 19

UKPA Inter-Regionals Tournament

TBC

SEP 4 - 5

25 - 26

Interesting,

but not everyone knows we do horse and horse box insurance

We do.

ual NFU Mut d is a prou of the sponsor rosse UK Poloc n io Associat

For a horse or horsebox insurance quote find your local branch at nfumutual.co.uk/ukpa or call 0800 197 1283 NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No.111982). Registered in England.

Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. A member of the Association of British Insurers.

For security and training purposes, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.