In 1938 the Polocrosse developed from an amalgamation of polo, lacrosse and netball. It is recognized as being one of only three uniquely Australian sports - the others being Campdrafting and Australian Rules Football.
In the beginning two horse riding teachers at Britain's National School of Equitation made an indoor training exercise to re-enforce the teaching at the school. It was configured to make the beginner riders increase the control of their horses and whilst on a trip to England, horse breeders Mr and Mrs Edward Hirst saw the activity. Once back in Australia, and with the assistance of an seasoned horseman and polo player, Mr Alf Pitty, the Hirsts conceived the game of Polocrosse in Australia.
Polocrosse is an outside team sport that is conducted on horseback by men and women and children alike. All riders use a racquet, made up of a polo-stick shaft with a racquet type head that has a knotted string net in which the ball is picked up, carried and thrown. A Polocrosse ball is comprised of a thick-skinned soft rubber and is approximately 100mm -130mm in diameter. Competitors pick the ball up from the ground, pass the ball, bounce the ball and carry the ball in order to to take the ball into their scoring area and throw a goal.
A team comprises six players, made up of two sections of three. Each section plays alternating chukkas of either six or eight minutes each, with generally four chukkas making up a game whilst sometimes up to eight chukkas are played. The three players in each section are numbered - No. 1 is the attack, or goal scorer, No. 2 is the centre, and No. 3 is the defense. The playing field is 146.5 m long and 55m wide, with goal posts at each end.
Horses are usually up to 15.2 hands. Australian Stock Horses and thoroughbreds are typically used. The game calls for the horse to be able to stop and turn extremely fast, to accelerate quickly, to have stamina and to push and ride-off other horses.
A high priority has always been given to the safety of both horses and players and this is ensured through a well organized system of umpiring. Polocrosse was intended to be a game which allowed the inexpensive enjoyment of one's horse, hence the rule of one horse - one player and the playing of alternate chukkas.
Polocrosse is unique in its involvement of the whole family. Children start playing from as young as 6 years, and there are many players who are in their 60's - so it is not uncommon to have children, parents and grandparents playing, and to have brothers, sisters, Mums and Dads all in the one team! In this way Polocrosse becomes a shared passion of the whole family.
The sport took a leap forward in 1976 when the International Polocrosse Council was established by Mr Max Walters AM, MBE. Today the sport is played worldwide.
The most significant milestone has been the staging of two Polocrosse World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe took to the field at Australia's premier Polocrosse facility at Morgan Park, Warwick in Queensland. Australia has won both the World Cups.
In the beginning two horse riding teachers at Britain's National School of Equitation made an indoor training exercise to re-enforce the teaching at the school. It was configured to make the beginner riders increase the control of their horses and whilst on a trip to England, horse breeders Mr and Mrs Edward Hirst saw the activity. Once back in Australia, and with the assistance of an seasoned horseman and polo player, Mr Alf Pitty, the Hirsts conceived the game of Polocrosse in Australia.
Polocrosse is an outside team sport that is conducted on horseback by men and women and children alike. All riders use a racquet, made up of a polo-stick shaft with a racquet type head that has a knotted string net in which the ball is picked up, carried and thrown. A Polocrosse ball is comprised of a thick-skinned soft rubber and is approximately 100mm -130mm in diameter. Competitors pick the ball up from the ground, pass the ball, bounce the ball and carry the ball in order to to take the ball into their scoring area and throw a goal.
A team comprises six players, made up of two sections of three. Each section plays alternating chukkas of either six or eight minutes each, with generally four chukkas making up a game whilst sometimes up to eight chukkas are played. The three players in each section are numbered - No. 1 is the attack, or goal scorer, No. 2 is the centre, and No. 3 is the defense. The playing field is 146.5 m long and 55m wide, with goal posts at each end.
Horses are usually up to 15.2 hands. Australian Stock Horses and thoroughbreds are typically used. The game calls for the horse to be able to stop and turn extremely fast, to accelerate quickly, to have stamina and to push and ride-off other horses.
A high priority has always been given to the safety of both horses and players and this is ensured through a well organized system of umpiring. Polocrosse was intended to be a game which allowed the inexpensive enjoyment of one's horse, hence the rule of one horse - one player and the playing of alternate chukkas.
Polocrosse is unique in its involvement of the whole family. Children start playing from as young as 6 years, and there are many players who are in their 60's - so it is not uncommon to have children, parents and grandparents playing, and to have brothers, sisters, Mums and Dads all in the one team! In this way Polocrosse becomes a shared passion of the whole family.
The sport took a leap forward in 1976 when the International Polocrosse Council was established by Mr Max Walters AM, MBE. Today the sport is played worldwide.
The most significant milestone has been the staging of two Polocrosse World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe took to the field at Australia's premier Polocrosse facility at Morgan Park, Warwick in Queensland. Australia has won both the World Cups.