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
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