Polocrosse is a sport where riders use netted rackets to throw a small ball through each other’s goals. It is a cross between polo and lacrosse and is open to people of all skill levels. It encourages the development of riding skills and can be played with a single horse. Polocrosse clubs can be found worldwide.
Polocrosse is an equestrian sport in which riders divide into teams and attempt to throw a small ball through each other’s goals. Runners use netted rackets to throw the ball back and forth, working within the very specific confines of a playing field to ensure that play does not become overextended. One of the main attractions of polocrosse for cyclists is that the game is open to people of all skill levels, with riders being divided into ranks by skill level throughout the competition.
In essence, polocrosse is a cross between polo, an ancient Persian game, and lacrosse, a Native American game. This game was developed in Australia in the 1930s and exported from there to England and beyond. Initially, polocrosse matches were led indoors and used to train beginners, although modern matches are held outdoors just as frequently. Unlike polo, which has a very strict and formal culture, polocrosse tends to be more casual and fun-loving.
To play polocrosse, someone has to be able to ride a horse, but that’s the only requirement. The game encourages the development of riding skills, forcing riders to work their horses to move across the field and reach the goal, and polocrosse tends to develop strong horses and riders. As with any equestrian sport, polocrosse has some dangers; riders can fall, for example, and horses can collide, but the use of safety devices for both humans and horses makes the sport relatively safe.
Unlike polo, where riders change horses between series, polocrosse can be played with a single horse, and many polocrosse clubs also allow mules and other equine hybrids. A wide variety of horse breeds can be used in the sport, with most riders preferring light to medium weight horses such as Arabians, Thoroughbreds and quarterhorses. A good polocrosse horse is athletic, intelligent, and sensitive, as he needs to be able to navigate a field of horses while keeping his head level.
Polocrosse clubs can be found in all regions of the world and the chances are reasonably high that there is a club in your area. Try searching for “polocrosse” and your district or region in your favorite search engine and you should find a list of local clubs. You can contact specific clubs for their needs and lessons; many polocrosse organizations are attached to horse and pony clubs that also teach riding skills, enabling people to learn to ride and get involved in polocrosse at the same time.
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