ABOUT POLOCROSSE
		The game of polocrosse though little known to many people in the United States, is the fastest growing horseback sport. Cheaper to play than polo, polocrosse requires only one horse.  The game itself resembles lacrosse on horseback, with three players on each side, playing in 8 minute rounds, called chukkars. Polocrosse was first played in England in the 1930s where it was used as a military training exercise. It was then picked up, taken to Australia, and modified into the game we see today. Polocrosse is still most popular in Australia, and in nearby nations such as New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe. However, there is growing popularity in the United States thanks to the American Polocrosse Association, and the promotion of the sport by the United States Pony Club. There are currently several hundred active members in the APA, with several thousand kids learning the game in Pony Club. Many people wonder how they can get into polocrosse if they don't have a trained polocrosse horse and equipment. Those people will be glad to know that in the WSPA and most clubs throughout the nation, and gear will do for starters, and club members are always willing to loan out racquets. The only necessary equipment to start up is a helmet and leg wraps for your horse. In tournaments, players are required to have more extensive gear, including a horn-less saddle, shank-less bit, and overreach boots, but these are not necessary for beginners. Additionally, any rideable horse is usually quickly trained to play the sport. Horses enjoy the competitiveness, and in many cases, after only one or two games, mounts are charging after the ball even more enthusiastically than their rider. As said before, polocrosse is played with two three-man sections. Each member of a section has a specific role to play. The #1 is the most offensive player, and is the only person allowed to score goals. The number three is the "goalie" so to speak, and is the only player who may defend goals. The #2 is a bit of a switch hitter, and must play offensively and defensively while remaining only in the mid-field. Instead of being played with a mallet and hard ball, as in polo, polocrosse uses a soft spongy ball and a meter long racquet resembling a lacross stick. The ball is passed between players and is carried down the field in an attempt to score through two narrow goalposts. Although polocrosse is a high speed game, with the potential to become dangerous, rules are strictly enforced to maintain optimum safety, and an umpire is present at all times, even in practices. This is just a bried introduction to polocrosse- for more detailed descriptions, please visit the APA website listed in the links page.
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