Polocrosse, What Is It? As the name implies, it is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is played outside, on a field, on horseback. Each rider uses a cane stick to which is attached a racquet head with a loose, thread net, in which the ball is carried. The ball is made of sponge rubber and is approximately 4″ across. The objective is to score goals by throwing the ball between your opponent’s goal posts.

What About My Horse? Players are allowed only one horse per game, except in the case of injury. There is no restriction on their height, although the ideal is around 15.2 hands. Players do compete successfully on 16 hand horses and horses of many breeds: Arab, Thoroughbred, Paint, Quarter horse, Heinz 57. Just bring your favorite horse!

How Many Are On A Team? A team consists of 6 players, divided into two sections of three who play alternate chukkas of a maximum of 8 minutes each. Six or eight chukkas compromise a full match. The three players in each section play the position of a No. 1 “attack”, a No. 2 “centre”, or a No. 3 “defense”.

How Is the Field Set Up? The field is 60 yards (55m) x 160 yards (146.5m), with three separate areas. Two goal scoring areas on each end where only the No.1 of the attacking team and the No. 3 of the defending team can play. The middle area is where everyone plays. Goal posts are 8 feet apart. To score, the ball must be thrown from outside an 11-yard semi-circle in front of the goal.

Where Does the Game Start? It commences in centre field with the players lining up, one team beside the other, with the No. 1’s in front. The umpire throws the ball over the player’s heads. The game recommences similarly after a goal has been scored.

How Do You Get the Ball from One End of the Field to the other? Players can pick up the ball from the ground, or catch it in their racquet, and then ride with it, or throw it to other players until the No.1 is in possession of it in the goal scoring area. A player cannot carry the ball over the penalty line, but must bounce it or throw it to a player over the line. When carrying the ball, a player must carry it on the stick side, ie., right handed players must carry it on the off-side of the horse. They can, however, pick-up or catch the ball on the non-stick side provided they immediately bring it back to their stick side.

What Strategies Can You Use to Get the Ball Away From a Player? Hitting at an opponent’s stick to dislodge the ball is allowed. Riding off or pushing another player over the field boundaries is another strategy but referees will be watching closely for dangerous plays like crossing the line of the ball, stopping over the ball, or elbowing. Strict rules are enforced to keep the game safe.

Who Can Play? Basically anyone can play. Men and women compete together on the same teams or sometimes play men against men & women against women. We are working toward building our junior teams.

What Equipment Do You Need? Requirements for the rider are a helmet and a racquet. If spurs are worn they cannot have sharp rowels. For the horse you must have a breast collar, a bit with no protrusions, joined reins, leg wraps and bell boots, and a saddle without a horn. (We will allow new players with western saddles to participate in walk-trot games, but are encouraged to use a saddle with no horn.)

Where Do You Play? The Millarville Club field is located a few miles NW of Millarville on the SE corner of 240 Street and 290 Avenue (west of the café). There is also a field east of Aldersyde and one in Calgary at Glenmore Park.

How Often Do You Play? We generally get together twice a week, Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Is it Expensive to Participate? Relative to many other horse sports, no. Our membership fee is $200.00 for the season. A new racquet and ball cost about $130.00. Many people already have helmets, leg wraps, etc. Occasionally we do get you out to help with field maintenance though!

How Can I Learn More About Polocrosse? We hope we have sparked your interest enough that you will register for our LEARN TO PLAY Clinic. We’ll start on the ground learning how to pick up and throw the ball, and have a couple of “games” on foot. Then we’ll get your horses used to the racquet and ball before progressing to horseback. We guarantee to make you smile!

For more information visit our web site www.millarvillepolocrosse.com or call 931-3610.

Millarville club pictures. Click on a thumbnail to see the collection of photos. Then click on the thumbnail to see the full size picture.

Australia

Worldcup 2007 Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, England, Ireland, Usa & Canada

22 Photos

calgary-polocrosse-assoc

35 Photos

florida-masters-2008

76 Photos

Hicks Sept 21 05

27 Photos

members

11 Photos

Stampede Classic 2004

14 Photos

Washington

24 Photos

writing-on-stone

12 Photos

Wyoming 2004

12 Photos

President:

Kayla Hicks (403)827-7306 or (403)931-3610

Vice President:

Dave Carnell (403)933-3867 or (403)818-2261

Secretary:

Sue Hicks (403)931-3610

Or you can email us by filling out the form:

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Photos of people playing polocrosse from around the world.

Links

Polocrosse Equipment - Our Curtis originated Polocrosse racquets are custom built with premium quality right here in the USA. With racquets, one size doesn’t fit all. We understand that every Polocrosse player has different needs, so we will build your racquet designed specif

Arden Enterprises - Welcome to our Web site. This site offers you the opportunity to learn more about Arden Enterprises, founded in 1995, and specializing in the import/export of quality equine and handcrafted products between South Africa and USA.

Benett Polocrosse Rackets - Benett Rackets Bennett Polocrosse Rackets are made using only the best materials and feature our unique patented Injection Molded racket head. The only polocrosse racket head specifically designed for polocrosse.

Polocrosse Worldwide - Worldwide Polocrosse Site

Polocrosse International - Dear Polocrosse Friends, welcome to the exciting world of International Polocrosse.

USA Polocrosse

Alamo - The Alamo Polocrosse Club is an enthusiastic group of people who share a common bond…a love for polocrosse. Based just south of Castroville, Texas and formed in 2005, the club fields teams and participates in various tournaments throughout Texas and the

American Association - The American Polocrosse Association (APA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization and is the official polocrosse organization in the USA.

Australia Polocrosse

Albury Holbrook - The Albury Holbrook Polocrosse Club was founded by enthusiasts based in Holbrook and Albury Wodonga and has been operating for 17 years.

Milton Ulladulla Polocrosse Club - Milton Ulladulla Polocrosse Club

Polocrosse Associations and Councils

American Association - The American Polocrosse Association (APA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization and is the official polocrosse organization in the USA.

• Membership Form
• Playing Waiver
• Polocrosse Rules

After players have played four times they are expected to pay $100 a year to Polocrosse Canada for insurance. At the Millarville Polocrosse Club we don’t charge new members any additional money. So the first four times you come out to our club are completely free. Players who have been members for more then a year are required to pay an extra $100 to the club, which helps to pay for jerseys, field maintained and anything else the club needs to pay for. Juniors under 18 only pay an additional $80.

There are three waivers/forms that have to be filled out to become a full member of Polocrosse Canada and the Millarville Polocrosse Club. One is the Polocrosse Canada Membership Form the second one is a hold harmless waiver. The third one is a waiver that must be signed at the field. All three are available in a package at the field.

Members are encouraged to come to the Millarville Polocrosse meetings but all members will be emailed the minutes.

The Millarville Polocrosse Club is a non-profit club, committed to teaching and playing Polocrosse. We have been playing on the field just a couple of minutes North-West of Millarville in Alberta, Canada since 2004. The gorgeous backdrop of the rockies, the friendly atmosphere, and the great game of Polocrosse will ensure that you come back for more. Everyone is invited to join our club, and spectators are always welcome.

The Millarville Club is located just a couple of minutes North-West of Millarville. The driveway fence is purple and the house is a pinkish color, there are cross country jumps in the front pasture. The house phone is 931-3610.

If you are coming from Turner Valley, turn west on highway 549, travel about 2km. Turn north on 240St just after the grey house on the corner. Travel approximately another 2km and it will be the last house on the right before crossing 290Ave.

If you are coming from Okotoks, use highway 549 and turn north on highway 22, travel approx. 600m. Turn west onto 298 Ave, turn right at the T-intersection, turn left onto 290Ave.

Turn left at the four way stop. It is the first house on the left.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information about Polocrosse, the club, or upcoming events!

Millarville Polocrosse Club is a non-profit club, committed to teaching and playing Polocrosse. We have been playing on a field just a couple of minutes north-west of Millarville in Alberta, Canada since 2004. The gorgeous backdrop of the rockies, the friendly atmosphere, and the great game of Polocrosse will ensure that you come back for more. Everyone is invited to join our club, and spectators are always welcome. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information about Polocrosse, the club, or upcoming events!

The Game

It is a team sport played on horseback using a racket and a sponge rubber ball. Teams comprised of six players make up 2 sides (three players are on the field, while three rest). Each side of three is made up of a number 1 (the goal scorer), a number 2 (center fielder or play maker) and a number 3 (defense). There is no goalie defending the goal posts that stand 2.5 meters apart and infinitely high. Play is in timed periods or chukkas lasting up to 8 minutes with each side playing up to 4 chukkas. The game begins with three players from each team lining up two abreast in center field facing the umpire. Play commences when the umpire throws the ball down the center of the line and each team tries to take control. The ball is scooped up and carried down field and ultimately thrown between the opponents goal posts. The opposing team tries to block the ball carrier and/or dislodge the ball from their racket and cause a turn over. The game is closely monitored by an umpire, ensuring the safety of both the players and horses.

KING OF THE ONE HORSE SPORTS

Unlike its namesake Polo, you need only one horse. In fact you are only allowed to use one horse when entering a competition. There are no limits as to size, age or breed, only stallions are restricted. A wide spectrum of horses and riders are now competing from team penners to three day eventers, Quarter Horses to Arabians, professionals to new comers. Emphasis is on safety, conditioning, training, horsemanship and fun.

Something For Everyone

Polocrosse is a sport open to every age and ability. We have people joining that are just learning to ride, to people that have competed internationally in other disciplines. You can move up the levels as quickly as you want and be as competitive as you have time for.

Played around the world

Polocrosse was first developed in England in the 1930’s as a set of exercises to teach and improve riding skills. Reaching Australia in the early 1940’s polocrosse soon evolved into a fast paced competitive sport. Polocrosse is now played worldwide. The Polocrosse World Cup was held April 23-29 2007 and included teams from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Canada. The next World Cup in 2011, being held in the United Kingdom, hopes to host an additional four countries from France, Germany, Norway and Zambia. There will be numerous opportunities to travel around the world with a team over the next several years, and even the chance to represent Canada on the next World Cup team. So now is your chance to learn this internationally played sport and meet people from around the world!

WHAT DOES POLOCROSSE OFFER?

• A way to improve your horsemanship and riding skills while having fun.
• A competitive team sport with local and international competition.
• Affordable fast paced action.
• A sport the whole family can play.
• International travel & play with opportunities to represent Canada.
  

  “Make this the year you come out & try it!”

POLOCROSSE SCHEDULE 2008

League Play from May - October:

• Practices at 7:00 pm Tuesday & Thursday.
• Games are played Sundays at 10:00.

Tournaments:

• July 5-6 Stampede Classic Tournament, Foothills Club Aldersyde Field - Pam 938-4946.
• August 16-17 Millarville Tournament, Millarville Field Sue 931-3610.
• September 6 Calgary Club Tournament, Calgary Field Lesley 249-1831.
• Clubs will also be attending US tournaments in:
  • Washington the weekends of July 26-27
  • American Nationals in Colorado, August 30 & 31

Watch for a demo in your area:

• April 12th Buck Stock n’ Barrels Rodeo Claresholm - Pam 938-4946.
• May 3rd Dessa Hockley, Millarville Sue 931-3610.
• May 7 - 14th Junior side to Austin Texas Sue 931-3610.
• May 25-26 Stettler Clinic 4H Rusty Spur club Jacquie 938-5577.
  
• June 6-7 Millarville Pony Club Clinic Sue 931-3610.
• June 9 & 10 North Vancouver Island Horse, Comox BC Rotary Bowl Stan (250) 861-7681.
• June 14-15 Kelowna BC Bits and Bridle Club Stan (250) 861-7681
• July 4 -13 Calgary Stampede Big Top Tent Sue 931-3610

Dates and times may change, please call to confirm before heading out.

Want to book a Polocrosse Clinic for your club, contact us, we’d love to come out and get you started!

Kayla Hicks
Phone: (403) 931-3610
E-mail Contact Form

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