What is the difference between polo cross and polo horses?
Unlike polo, players are allowed only to play one horse, except in the case of injury. There is no restriction on the horse’s height, although polocrosse horses are generally smaller than 16hh. Horses of all breeds play polocrosse and the Australian Stock Horse is the most popular breed playing in Australia. Polocrosse is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is a team sport played on horseback and players use racquets with a square or round head and loose net to pick up, carry, throw, catch and bounce a soft sponge ball.Australian Stock Horses are renowned as some of the best polocrosse horses in the world, so it would seem that the sport of polocrosse and these versatile and willing horses are a perfect match.Although there is crossover in the breeds used to play and they can be of any size, the best polo ponies are of the thoroughbred blood whose main qualities are heart, speed, wind, stamina, with the ability to accelerate, stop, and turn quickly; and whose temperament is amenable to the rigors of the game.Polocrosse is a distinctive equestrian sport that blends the speed and horsemanship of polo with the passing tactics and handheld equipment of lacrosse. Players ride on horseback and use a netted racquet to propel a soft rubber ball across the field, striving to outmaneuver opponents and score goals.
What breed of horses are best for polocrosse?
Australian Stock Horses are renowned as some of the best polocrosse horses in the world, so it would seem that the sport of polocrosse and these versatile and willing horses are a perfect match. Its like lacrosse. The game was developed in Australia in the late 1930s and is now played with great enthusiasm across the globe. Polocrosse develops strong self-confidence in riding ability while improving hand-eye coordination.Polocrosse was developed in Australia in 1938 by Mr and Mrs Edward Hirst of Sydney. It was inspired by an indoor exercise they’d seen in England which used old polo sticks with squash racquet heads and a shallow string net to replace the mallet on the end of the stick.
What breed are polo cross horses?
In the United States, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses are often crossed to produce polo ponies, while in recent years crosses of Thoroughbreds and Criollo horses from Argentina have become popular. In Australia, Australian Stock Horses are the most common breed used in polo. Is Polocrosse the same as Polo? It has some similarities however it is different. Polocrosse is known as the ‘King of the one horse sports’ and has 6 players where polo only has 4 players. Polocrosse uses a racquet and softer ball where Polo is a Mallet and hard ball.Differences. The differences between polo and polocrosse contribute to the unique style and strategy of each sport. From the mallet and ball used in polo to the netted racket and smaller field in polocrosse, these differences shape how each game is played and the skills required by players and horses alike.
Are polo horses thoroughbreds?
Polo ponies are not a specific breed of horse and they don’t all come from one blood line. Though today most polo ponies today are at least part thoroughbred thanks to the thoroughbred’s speed, stamina and build. To play polo you need horses, and they are one of the highest costs a player can have. The more ponies you have, the more you need to invest. Multiple mid-chukka changes have created the need to have more horses, which are expensive to buy and run.Polo players typically have one to three horses per game, changing ponies every three to four minutes and at an elite level, it is common practice to have up to eight ponies for one player per game.Polo ponies usually reach their athletic prime at around 6 or 7 years old. With proper care and barring any accidents, these equine athletes can continue playing until they’re 18 to 20 years old. This longevity is a testament to their durability and the care they receive.Did you know polo ponies can reach speeds of up to 35–40 mph during a match? Their speed, agility, and athleticism make every chukker a thrill to watch!Many breeds take part in the game at amateur levels but as the standard of competition increases a few common breeds become more commonly used. The four main horse breeds used in the sport are Thoroughbreds, Argentinian Polo ponies, the “original polo breed” the Manipuri and Quarter horse crosses.
Why are polo horses so expensive?
Rarity: The demand for polo horses is high, but the supply is limited. This is because only a select few horses have the necessary combination of traits to excel in polo. This rarity makes them more valuable. Equipment: Most horsey sports just require one horse while polo demands at least four per player. Polo ponies are not a specific breed of horse and they don’t all come from one blood line. Though today most polo ponies today are at least part thoroughbred thanks to the thoroughbred’s speed, stamina and build. But there is nothing saying that a polo pony has to be a certain breed.