A Guide to Horseball

TEXT: FARRYN DAY

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Imagine a cross between rugby and netball, on horseback. Sounds exhilarating, doesn’t it?

Well, look no further, horseball is an exciting game that is on its way to South Africa…

Horseball is based on an Argentinian game called ‘Pato’. Invented around 1600, it soon became the Argentines’ favourite game. ‘Pato’ means ‘duck’ in Spanish – referring to the live duck trapped in a basket that was originally used as a ball! In the beginning, Pato had very few formal rules and the passionate and competitive nature of the South Americans soon came to the fore. It is said that the pitch resembled a battlefield with riders crashing their horses into their opponents to steal the ball, with little regard for the safety of themselves or their horses. Pato has been banned several times throughout its history due to fatalities of both ducks and players.

Inspired by ‘Pato’, modern Horseball as we know it today was started by a French army captain, and the current rules were defined by the French Equestrian Federation in the 1970s. In 1999 the International Horseball Federation (FIHB) was formed and, today Horseball is played in over 17 countries across the world.

BASIC RULES

A Horseball team is made up of 6 players, with four players being on the pitch at the same time. Each player rides one horse and players may be substituted during a time-out or a break in play. The game is played in two, 10 minutes halves, with the aim being to shoot the ball through a 1m diameter hoop, and the team with the most goals at the end of the match wins.

According to the FIHB sport rules: “Above all it must always be remembered that good sportsmanship is the foundation stone on which the game of Horseball is built and that the safety of both horses and riders are paramount”.

As such, all of the rules of Horseball are there to ensure safety of both horse and rider, with the main rules being: 1. Riders are required to wear riding helmets, and suitable riding boots. Long boots are required for adults, and children can wear jodhpur boots and gaiters. 2. English tack is used, and any bit or bitless bridle is allowed (except for a fulmer or long shank bit as it can get caught up in an opponent’s reins). 3. Leg protection is required on all four of your horse’s legs, with a thickness of at least 3mm. Over-reach boots are compulsory. 4. Horses may only compete at a regional, national or international level from 5 years of age. 5. Should the ball fall to the ground, riders may not stop or dismount to pick up the ball. Pick-up straps are compulsory for safety reasons as they enable you to reach out of your saddle for a downed ball. The pick-up strap joins the stirrups together under the belly and runs through the martingale strap. It is forbidden to tackle or intimidate any player who is attempting to pick up the ball, including forcing a change of direction. As this is considered dangerous play, a penalty, yellow or red card may be given.

6. The line of the ball determines which player has priority to pick up the ball. The line of the ball is an imaginary line passing through the ball and parallel to the long sides of the pitch. In the case where the ball is behind the line of the goal (i.e. within 2.5m of the end of the pitch), the line of play runs parallel to the short side of the pitch. Any player can pick up the ball in any area of the pitch. However, they must be travelling in the same direction as the line of the ball to prevent any collisions. 7. Players may steal the ball from an opposition player but must remain seated in the saddle and may only use one hand to grab the ball. Standing in the stirrups while grabbing the ball results in a penalty. 8. Players may use their horses to push an opposition team member out of bounds or off of the line of the ball, in a move called ‘riding off’. Players may not approach at an angle of more than 45˚ and must remain seated in the ride off.

Horseball can be played in a sand or grass arena, as long as the footing isn’t too slippery. The rectangular pitch may vary between 60 to 75 metres in length by 20 to 30 metres in width. The ideal size is 65m x 25m.

HORSES

The size and type of horse used to play Horseball is not limited, though horses smaller than 16.2hh are generally preferred. You can use any type of horse or pony that you like, as long as your horse or pony is safe, fit, and levelheaded, they will certainly be able to learn to play! Off-thetrack Thoroughbreds seem to do particularly well – they are intelligent and have great speed and stamina.

Keep in mind, that according to International Horseball regulations, a horse may only play at the more demanding levels of competition once they are 5 years old. Horseball can be a taxing sport if your horse is not ready and conditioned to play – start slowly and take care of your horse for the long term.

In order to play Horseball, you and your horse or pony must be comfortable with: - Comfortable with neck reining (i.e. riding with one hand). - Sensitive to the rider’s seat and weight aids. - Comfortable running next to and bumping into other horses with no fear or aggression. - Be confident and pain free.

PLAYER CATEGORIES

Horseball is the only other equestrian team sport besides polo, and it can be enjoyed by riders of any age or riding ability. At tournaments, riders are broken up into categories according to age group, with a few adaptations for younger players - such as a smaller ball, smaller arena and limitations to the size of pony allowed. Although men and women are allowed to play on the same team, tournaments also include a special category for ladies, and children from as young as 6 years old are welcome to play.

Youth

Adults Under 8

Under 10

Under 12

Under 14

Under 16

Ladies

Mixed: Ladies & Men Pro Elite PITCH SIZE GOAL HEIGHT BALL SIZE

40m x 20m 200 cm

250 cm n.2

60m x 20m 300 cm

350 cm n.3

Min 60m x 20m

Max 75m x 30m Ideal 65m x 25m 350cm n.3

n.4

EQUIPMENT

Minimal extra equipment besides a ball and a hoop is required to play Horseball. A regular GP, Jumping or Polo Saddle works well, though if you are more comfortable in a Dressage saddle - that can work too! The only limitation is that a rider is not allowed to compete in a Stock or Western Saddle.

A pick-up strap is compulsory and should run through the loop of the martingale. Adequate leg protection for your horse is required on all four legs (polo bandages or wrap-around boots are best).

HOW TO

Before the start of a match, the team captains will meet with the referee and the start of the game is decided by a coin toss. The team that won the coin toss may decide to either pick up first, or they can choose which goal to defend.

To start, the ball is placed on the centre of the 10m penalty line of the team chosen to pick up first.

Members of the attacking team may stand between the 10m and the half-way line, but only those behind the 10m line may attempt to pick up the ball.

The ball must be passed (thrown) three times between different players within a team before a shot at goal can be attempted. The ball can be passed with one or two hands, but a player may not hold on to the ball for more than 10 seconds. Handing the ball from one player to another is allowed; but does not constitute a pass.

Defending players may then attempt to intercept the ball, pick up downed balls, or steal the ball from attacking players after which they will have to pass the ball three times amongst their team before shooting for a goal.

After every goal, play is restarted with a line-out. The ball is thrown in by a member of the team which conceded the goal. One or two players from each team line up in two lines parallel to the centre line and facing the thrower, at least 7m from the side of the pitch. The remaining members of the team must be at least 5m downfield from the players on the line, in their respective halves, until the ball has been caught or deflected by a player in the line-out. The ball must be thrown within 3 seconds of the referee’s whistle and must be thrown at at least stirrup height.

SECURITY ZONE

GOAL PENALTY LINES CENTRE LINE PENALTY LINES GOAL

PITCH AREA

CHAIR REFEREE

SECURITY ZONE 15m

10m 5m 2m 5

3–5m

SCORE BOARD

Line out indicators (0.5m from each side of the centre line)

diameter = 6cm internal diameter = 1m

net with 4cm mesh

1m 60 3m 50

The ball is considered out of play when it has fallen to the ground beyond the boundaries of the pitch, or if the horse of the player carrying the ball steps out of bounds. Play is then restarted with a penalty 3.

PENALTIES

Penalties can be taken by any player from the offended team. Penalty 1: A penalty 1 is awarded as a result of a serious or unacceptable infringement such as rough or dangerous play, interfering with the pick-up, or if the foul prevented a shot at goal.

Penalty 1 is an undefended and direct shot at goal without moving. Players of the offending team stand in the corner of the pitch, within the 5m line. Penalty 2: A penalty 2 is awarded as a result of offences which are less serious but still interfere with play or the safety of the game. Penalty 2 offences include obstruction or intimidation of an opponent.

The referee gives the team captain a choice between a direct shot at goal from the 10m line, or passing the ball (three times between three different players) from the 15m line.

In the case of a direct shot at 10m, the shot must be made from a stationary horse. Players of the offending team must stand behind the 5m line and in the direction of play.

Should the captain decide to pass the ball, the ball carrier stands on the centre of the 15m line, in the direction of play facing the goal, with the remaining team members behind the ball carrier. They can play as soon as the referee has whistled. Players of the offending team stand behind (i.e. goal side of) the 10m line in the direction of play. In both scenarios, the defending team may intercept the ball. Penalty 3: A penalty 3 is awarded as a result of minor infringements.

A penalty 3 is always taken from the centre line and the ball carrier may stand anywhere along the centre line, with the remaining team members placed in their own half.

The defending team must be within their own half, at least 5m from the ball carrier and standing/moving in the direction of play. The are allowed to defend as soon as the If you would like to learn more about Horseball visit the FIHB website: www.fihb. net or contact Farryn on farryn@citypolo.co.za

referee has blown the whistle to restart the game. Technical Foul: A technical foul is described as “unsportsmanlike conduct such as the use of abusive language or gestures, or brutality to a horse; and may be awarded against players, substitutes, grooms or coaches on or off the pitch”. Technical fouls committed before or during the match or during half time will be penalised as the referee sees fit. Depending on the foul the referee may award a Penalty 1, 2 or 3, yellow or red card, or a warning.

A SUMMARY

Although Horseball is not an Olympic sport, we hope that one day it will be! Like Polo, Horseball was a demonstration sport at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.