WHAT IS POLOCROSSE?

Text | Kirsty Rault

Polocrosse is a team sport played on horseback between two teams with six players on each team. Each team is then divided into two sections, with three players in each section. Each section is made up of an attack player (No.1) who scores the goals, the centre player (No.2) who plays both offence and defence, and the defence player (No.3) who stops the other team’s No.1 from scoring the goals.

A chukka is played for six minutes at a time, and the sections alternate on and off the field, with each section playing a total of three chukkas each.

The equipment needed is simple - a helmet is compulsory, as well as riding boots. Each player is equipped with a racquet which is roughly 90cm long. It has a cane shaft and a thickened handle, with a round head fitted with a loose string net which holds the ball. The ball is a soft thick-skinned sponge ball about 10cm in diameter. Spurs and whips are allowed, but whips must have a flap at the end. Horses are to have saddles and bridles, with all four legs bandaged and coronet boots on all four legs.

The polocrosse horse

When it comes to finding the right horse for the game of polocrosse, your options are broad. Any horse may play this sport with the exception of stallions, mares in foal and horses with vision problems. Most players in South Africa seem to favour Thoroughbreds and Australian stock horses for the game, as they have the speed and agility to stop and turn quickly when needed, but any breed is suitable to play.

The Junior Classics

On the 29th of April, we saw the 2022 Junior Classics kick off at Bishopstowe Polocrosse Club in KZN. Children and Juniors travelled with their horses from all over the country to play in this three-day tournament. We caught up with 13-year-old Tristian Van Der Walt over the weekend to ask her a few questions:

1. When did you start playing polocrosse? I started playing polocrosse in 2017. I was eight years old and never looked back!

2. What is your favourite position to play? I love playing the Number 3.

3. How many horses do you have? I have two horses – Gitana and Honey.

4. Who is your favourite horse to play polocrosse with? I like playing with both my horses because they both have different strengths.

5. Where do you live? Rosetta KZN

6. Who are your polocrosse idols? Lauren Haynes and Natalie Maclarty.

7. What advice do you have for other girls looking to better their polocrosse? You need dedication, a willingness to work hard and belief in yourself!

8. What is your favourite motto? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.