Pony Club is providing the perfect pathway into polocrosse for families across Tasmania and delivering an opportunity for riders to build lifelong friendships and offering an active riding life after Pony Club.
Photo supplied by Georgie McKie
With more than 96 members, the Tasmanian polocrosse community consists of four clubs spread across northern Tasmania, with riders aged as young as nine and as seasoned as 64.
During the past 10 years, more than 40 riders and parents from more than 15 families have been introduced to polocrosse through the Pony Club pathway. In some cases, when one pony club rider has taken up the sport, the whole family has followed suit.
THE MIDLANDS PONY CLUB EXPERIENCE
Midlands Pony Club as a long history of embracing polocrosse as a discipline at monthly pony club rallies and their annual Pony Club camp. They also host an annual state ‘Chukka Champs’ event for Pony Club riders to offer a taste of the sport to aspiring players or those who just want to give something new a try.
According to Midlands Pony Club District Commissioner (DC), Chloe Lyne, a partnership between pony club and polocrosse has multiple benefits.
“Polocrosse offers such a wide variety of skills and drills our riders can practice, both on and off their horses — at a range of paces,” she said.
Photo supplied by Sarah Johnston
Chloe has also observed that as with pony club games, polocrosse activities are often a great way to increase the confidence of nervous riders as the drills and skills divert their focus to a fun and engaging activity.
“While the riders are focusing on their racquet and balls skills, they forget to be worried about their ponies” she said.
“Increasingly we are finding young riders are lacking confidence when they are riding outside the arena. Not sure I would say this about our club members as most don’t have access to an arena!
“Polocrosse activities at pony cub rallies help to build their confidence in a safe environment while they are distracted by engaging racquet and ball drills.”
IMPROVING GENDER EQUITY
As pony clubs around Australia struggle to keep boys in the saddle as team sports such as football vie for their attention, polocrosse is helping Midlands Pony Club achieve its goal of gender equity.
“At Midlands we have the highest number of boys in the state,” said Chloe Lyne.
“I absolutely believe this is because we embrace activities such as polocrosse in addition to the traditional English disciplines, which keep our boys engaged.”
Chloe will get no arguments from 12-year-old Will Archer, one of three current Midlands Pony Club boys who play with the Midlands Spurs Polocrosse Club.
“If it wasn’t for polocrosse I probably wouldn’t still be riding,” said Will, who is also an enthusiastic footballer.
“I love that I can ride my horse Druscilla with my mates, at a fast pace, in a competitive team ball sport — where else could I do that?”
Photo supplied by Meg Archer
Will’s mother and Midlands Pony Club Chief Coach (CC), Meg Archer, believes with structured and supportive coaching polocrosse drills can help teach young riders’ control and confidence at faster paces.
“Polocrosse is about manoeuverability and responsiveness, with changes of speed and direction, outside the arena and alongside the energy of other horses,” Meg explained.
“Honing these skills in our riders and exposure in horses, builds a safer and more confident partnership all round.”
TWO-WAY BENEFITS
The benefits of the polocrosse – pony club partnership go both ways according to Chloe.
“When our pony clubbers start playing polocrosse, they already have a strong understanding of the principles of horse care and welfare to support their participation in a rigorous and competitive environment,” she noted.
“Pony club provides such a great foundation for understanding how to look after you horse across all equestrian disciplines.”
KEYS TO SUCCESS
According to Chloe and Meg, the keys to a successful partnership between pony club and polocrosse lies at a club level on both sides of the equation.
“Individual pony clubs need to be open-minded and willing to introduce a non-traditional activity into their rallies,” she said.
“And we have found the most successful way to introduce polocrosse into our rallies is through the support of coaches from our local polocrosse clubs, such as Midlands Spurs.
Tasmanian Polocrosse Association president Scott Miller has played an integral role in building a strong pathway between pony club and polocrosse, having come up through the pony club ranks as a young rider and showjumper and going on to be one of Tasmania’s highest ranked polocrosse players.
Scott’s son Alex has followed in his father’s footsteps, coming up through the pony club ranks and now playing A Grade polocrosse for Midlands Spurs.
Scott is strong advocate for local polocrosse clubs reaching out to their local pony clubs to offer specialist coaching services for pony club rallies.
“Our top players are incredible horse people and have so much to offer the pony club community,” Scott said.
“We need to work together to ensure we offer our young riders a variety of equestrian pathways so we keep them riding for life.”
“All it takes is a positive mindset and a willingness to try something new.”
HOW DOES OUR POLOCROSSE CLUB GET INVOLVED?
Polocrosse clubs across Australia can actively engage with their local Pony Clubs by offering coaching, sharing equipment, or simply showcasing the sport. Your club can play a pivotal role in creating lifelong riders and expanding the polocrosse community.
Photo supplied by Meg Archer
Reach out to your local pony club via the Pony Club Australia website.
Check out the Pony Club Australia Discipline of the Month flyer for lesson ideas that fit with the Pony Club Australia Curriculum.