Polocrosse comes to Guernsey for the first time

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Local riders will have a chance to try a new sport for the first time on-island this coming weekend, as a UK PoloX instructor is coming to Guernsey.

Laura Scott is the Secretary of Polocrosse UK, and she is coming to the island for the weekend to deliver two days of training sessions and a seminar on the sport.

The visit has been arranged by both the South Show Equestria team and also the Guernsey Riding & Hunt Club as a special event for anyone who is interested.

"I was in a conversation with a member from the Guernsey Riding Club and she said she had done some Polocrosse in the past, and that it would be a really good activity for riders on island," Andrew Walker from the South Show Equestria team said.

"It is a sport anyone can do, as it doesn't have the difficulty and complications of Polo. So I got hold of the secretary of Polocrosse UK and they were really excited about coming over."

The plan for the event is that anyone can take part, with only a very basic level of riding required. The training sessions will be split into two half hour parts, one on horse back and the other on foot. If people without a mount want to take part, some local clubs allow people to be able to hire horses and ponies ahead of the day, but participants could also bring any of their own animals.

As the name suggests, Polocrosse is a combination of polo and lacrosse. Played outside on a field on horseback, a usual game consists of two teams of six, with only three on the field at any one time. Each rider uses a stick attached to a racquet head to carry the ball and to attempt to score goals.

"I am very excited about this - it is going to be a great opportunity and it is a really fun sport to play. I think some people think it might be quite aggressive but it is something designed for rider and animal.

"Even those that can barely ride can learn, because half of the training is on foot and while on horseback you can actually learn while being lead led."

The weekend is starting on Friday 27 April with a briefing and Q&A session by Ms Scott at the Fermain Valley Hotel, then there will be two days of training on 28 and 29 April with a planned series of matches at the end of the Sunday.

Overall, the weekend will cost nothing for under 12s; £15 for 12 to 18 year olds and £30 for adults.

More information and details on timings and how to take part can be found here.