Polo is played throughout Australia; there are approximately 50 Clubs and State Associations in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and South Australia. Polo caters for players of all ages and standards.
The Teams
Each team has 3 or 4 members each with a distinct position, as shown by the number on their shirt.
No 1 is essentially a goal striker.
No 2 also a forward but plays harder especially on defence.
No 3 is the pivotal player between offence and defence who tries to turn all plays to offence. He is usually the highest rated player on the team.
No 4 or back is the most defensive player whose primary responsibility is to protect the goal area.
The umpire is identified by wearing a black and white striped shirt
The Game
- The game is divided into four or six chukkas with each lasting 7 minutes with a 3 minute interval in between, to allow the players to change horses.
- Chukka comes from the Indian word for a circle or round.
- The teams change ends whenever a goal is scored.
Handicaps
- All players are rated from -2 to 10 (the higher the better).
- The team handicap is the sum of its players handicaps.
Please reach out to the Victorian Polo Association to start your polo journey. You can get involved in the following activities, or simply come and watch a game:
- Polo Tournaments at various levels for competent players
- Club Chukkas for casual players and beginners
- Polo Clinics and Schools to learn and improve
The polo season in Victoria runs from October through to May, with polo played at various locations including Werribee Park National Equestrian centre where the State Polo Association manages three polo fields.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorianpoloassociation
Facebook (Victoria): https://www.facebook.com/VictorianPoloClub
Facebook (Melbourne): https://www.facebook.com/melbournecitypolo
Website: www.vicpolo.com.au
The Performance Pony Challenge at EQUITANA is the final following a number of EvA80 qualifying competitions held at EA Horse Trials during the year. The EQUITANA final is only open to qualified combinations. Performance ponies must not exceed 149cm with shoes, or 148cm without shoes. Performance ponies have grown in popularity and are now well represented in eventing. At the 2024 Melbourne International 3 Day Event thirty ponies competed in dressage and jumping.
Competitors will perform a dressage test, and after a quick change of saddlery and the opportunity to do a couple of warm up jumps, will complete a round of jumping. The scores from both the dressage test and jumping will be combined with the highest score determining the overall winner of the competition.
For more information, please contact jandlyoung2369@gmail.com
The Coprice Australian Brumby Challenge is a 150 day event, limited to 12 trainers who take their Brumby home to train for the 150 day period, sending in fortnightly updates which enable us to share the process of training with the general public.
Our beautiful Brumbies have been passively trapped from the wild and are waiting for the right training to help them shine!
Finals are held at EQUITANA Melbourne in November 2024 and consist of three Classes:
- Class 1 is the Handling and Conditioning class which is where trainers showcase the Brumbies core skills as well as their overall physical condition.
- Class 2 is Ridden and which incorporates basic movements as well as a range of obstacles from bridges, small jumps, opening a gate and so on.
- Class 3 is the Freestyle – this class gives the trainer the opportunity to showcase their and their Brumbies personal strengths to music in a 3 – 4 minute format.
The emphasis in every class is on horsemanship and relationship between Trainer and Brumby.
For more information, please contact davcolobee@bigpond.com.
- Side Saddle Rider Under 18 Years
- Side Saddle Rider Over 18 Years
- Champion & Reserve Side Saddle Rider
- Ridden Side Saddle Pony Under 14hh
- Ridden Side Saddle Galloway 14-15hh
- Ridden Side Saddle Hack Over 15hh
- Champion & Reserve Ridden Side Saddle Mount
- Side Saddle Working Hunter (Open To All) – Max Height 50cm
- Side Saddle Champagne Challenge (Open To All)
One of the fastest growing western disciplines in Australia in recent years – Versatility Ranch Horse promotes true versatility of both horse and rider, with manoeuvres and obstacles designed to replicate or mimic those that would be encountered whilst working on the Ranch. Forward, ground covering movement and responsiveness to the riders’ cues, whilst maintaining a calm demeanour, are essential qualities of a good ranch horse. The ability to move from one task to another fluidly without resistance is also highly regarded – a true ranch horse could be out checking fences one moment and rounding up a stray cow the next!
Run by the Ranch Horse Association of Australia Inc and showcasing the best of Versatility Ranch Horse, the inaugural RHAA EQUITAMA Open Ranch Horse Invitational competition will see ten of Australia’s top Ranch Riders tackle the various dry work (non-cattle) elements of Versatility Ranch – Ranch Riding, Ranch Reining and Ranch Trail. Riders will be required to show their horse at the walk, trot and lope as well as showing extension of these gaits, whilst tackling various obstacles along the way. Lead changes, spins, dragging or picking up objects, opening and closing a gate, roping, crossing a bridge and even a jump are just some of the skills that could be called upon! With a pattern designed to challenge the competitors and entertain the audience, watch as horse and rider combinations navigate their way through the course as correctly and efficiently as possible in their effort to become the inaugural RHAA Equitana Open Champion!
For more information, please contact treasurer@rhaa.com.au
EQUITANA’s Liberty Showcase will feature trainers and their horses presenting a Liberty ‘freestyle’. The competition highlights the connection between horse and trainer which is established over many hundreds of hours at work and play together. No saddles or bridles! The communication between horse and trainer is inspiring to see. Trainers will showcase a creative Liberty performance in an effort to impress the public and gain the popular vote.
We have 5 trainers, each will have a 10 minute allocation to demonstrate to you, their speed control, tricks, agility, pairs or triples, freestyle creativity and style.
The crowd will decide who win’s the challenge with a popular vote.
Taking to the Grand Pavilion and vying for your vote, we have;
- Skye Liikanen – 2022 The Way Of The Horse Champion
- Ash Barnett – 2022 EQUITANA Melbourne Liberty Challenge Champion
- Flinders Greentree – 2022 EQUITANA Melbourne Liberty Challenge Runner Up
- Molly Quast – Incredible level of talent for someone only 17 years young
- Josh Knight – Winner of Mustang Makeovers in Kentucky, USA
Arabians are arguably one of the most photogenic horses of the world. Their beauty and unique style is once more on display at EQUITANA 2024 during three hours of competition presided over by international judges. Watch these stunning horses work under saddle, strut their stuff in the led classes, and get a taste of the history surrounding this ancient breed in the costume classes.
For more information, please contact syraharabians@gmail.com
MiniTana, the crowd favourite is BACK in 2024! Once again watch these little horses and ponies prove they may be tiny in stature, but they are sure big in heart! MiniTana features a variety of classes, from led turnout, to the ever popular High Jump. You will see these little guys fly high in what promises to be an unmissable spectacle.
For more information, please contact office@imhr.com.au
