GAME ON!

The fast-paced game of polocrosse is a hybrid of polo and lacrosse, and is perfect for beginning to expert riders looking for a fun challenge.

- ELIZABETH MOYER

The horses thunder across the smooth grass field, leg wraps flashing. Six riders in bright jerseys expertly wheel and maneuver their mounts as they try to gain possession of the ball, their long-handled rackets and nets raised, ready and reaching. In the blink of an eye, one rider scoops the ball up and breaks away from the pack, heading down the field toward the goal posts. Polocrosse is a mounted sport that combines the excitement and fast pace of polo with the skill of lacrosse.

The sport of polocrosse developed in Australia and is now played worldwide.

The American Polocrosse Association (APA) is the official polocrosse organization in North America, with 44 local clubs. Polocrosse is also a competitive discipline played in the United States Pony Clubs (USPC) and Pony Clubs around the world.

"All ages and abilities can play," says Jennifer Carpenter, APA membership development chairperson and certified coach. "New riders that can hold a racket and steer a pony independently in the arena can play. You don't need a team to get in the game." Jennifer and her kids were introduced to polocrosse through Pony Club and have played ever since. Many families play polocrosse together! Now Jennifer loves to introduce more people to the sport and teaches lessons through the Heart-land Polocrosse Club. Brother and sister duos Mena & Hugo and Alex & Margarita are all having a great time learning to play with the Heartland Polocrosse Club.

"I like that it's a game on horseback played with other riders," says 7-year-old Margarita. Mena, age 8, agrees and loves playing in games, as does 12-year-old Alex.

"My favorite part about polocrosse is definitely the excitement of the game and the pressure every time you pass, catch or pick up the ball," he says.

Being part of a team is a big part of the fun in polocrosse.