Horse Sports
Among the number of equipments that are being used to make a horse riding experience more comfortable, equine saddles are in demand when it comes to balance. Horse saddles come in different types such as the Western saddle, English saddle and Australian saddle and are utilized in different parts of the world. Each type has its own characteristics which make them distinct. However, Australian saddle is highly distinguished because it is inspired by both Western and English saddle. It is heavier and sturdier than an English saddle while lighter and more compact than a traditional Western saddle.
Many horse enthusiasts are pleased with the convenience and versatility brought about by Australian horse saddle. Initially, horse saddle is widely-used for a more natural and balanced position while seated on the horse’s back. It is specially designed to assist and keep the rider in a firm position on the mount with legs stretched forward and heels toward the ground. The sense of balance and security of the saddle makes it very popular among beginners because it helps enhance the confidence of novice horse riders.
The Unique Saddle Seat
The Australian saddles sit more forward than other types and have more padding for additional comfort intended for the horse and rider. For trail riding, many horse enthusiasts love the Australian stock saddles because they have deep, padded seats. In addition to that, it is available in either a laminated wood tree or a two-barred tree and can be filled with a variety of materials like wool, acrylic or doe hair flocking adding more comfort for long rides. Some saddles even have small horns on the pommel, or the front of the saddle to keel the rider’s thigh relaxed and secure in place.
Extraordinary Features
Australian horse saddles possess distinctive features which make them stand out and chosen by many horse lovers. Aside from being lightweight, this kind of horse saddle includes exclusive features which promote safety and comfort. It includes kneepads also known as poleys, it lies parallel to the rider’s thigh. Its role is to keep the rider securely in place while travelling over a difficult terrain.
Another feature is the double girthing system that adds more leverage by using both an over girth and billet straps. It lessens the risk of saddle slippage and adds more security once the billets break because the saddle is still attached through the overgirth. Not only that, safety stirrups is included with leathers that will pull away from the saddle just in case the rider falls. The stirrups fit the rider’s boot at the instep which allows the rider to move his heels and feet against the horse’s side to alleviate any discomfort.
The perfect combination of two types of equine saddles from the different parts of the world makes an exquisite result of an Australian equine saddle. It must have an exact fit to the rider, which means, the rider’s center of gravity is well distributed over the horse’s shoulders, rather than the spine.
Australian Polocrosse – Tansey 6 vs Dirranbandi 2 part 2
Australian Polocrosse – Tansey 6 vs Dirranbandi 2
Australian Polocrosse – Tansey vs Warwick – The first injury halted chukka – 24 July 2011
Australian Polocrosse Tansey vs Warwick 2nd Chukka 24 July 2011
Australian Polocrosse At Goondiwindi – Tansey 6 vs Pallamallawa
What Is Polocrosse? In 1938 the Polocrosse developed from an amalgamation of polo, lacrosse and netball. It is recognized as being one of only three uniquely Australian sports – the others being Campdrafting and Australian Rules Football.
In the beginning two horse riding teachers at Britain’s National School of Equitation made an indoor training exercise to re-enforce the teaching at the school. It was configured to make the beginner riders increase the control of their horses and whilst on a trip to England, horse breeders Mr and Mrs Edward Hirst saw the activity. Once back in Australia, and with the assistance of an seasoned horseman and polo player, Mr Alf Pitty, the Hirsts conceived the game of Polocrosse in Australia.
Polocrosse is an outside team sport that is conducted on horseback by men and women and children alike. All riders use a racquet, made up of a polo-stick shaft with a racquet type head that has a knotted string net in which the ball is picked up, carried and thrown. A Polocrosse ball is comprised of a thick-skinned soft rubber and is aproximately 100mm -130mm in diameter. Competitors pick the ball up from the ground, pass the ball, bounce the ball and carry the ball in order to to take the ball into their scoring area and throw a goal.
A team comprises six players, made up of two sections of three. Each section plays alternating chukkas of either six or eight minutes each, with generally four chukkas making up a game whilst sometimes up to eight chukkas are played. The three players in each section are numbered – No. 1 is the attack, or goal scorer, No. 2 is the centre, and No. 3 is the defense. The playing field is 146.5 m long and 55m wide, with goal posts at each end.
Horses are usually up to 15.2 hands. Australian Stock Horses and thoroughbreds are typically used. The game calls for the horse to be able to stop and turn extremely fast, to accelerate quickly, to have stamina and to push and ride-off other horses.
A high priority has always been given to the safety of both horses and players and this is ensured through a well organized system of umpiring. Polocrosse was intended to be a game which allowed the inexpensive enjoyment of one’s horse, hence the rule of one horse – one player and the playing of alternate chukkas.
Polocrosse is unique in its involvement of the whole family. Children start playing from as young as 6 years, and there are many players who are in their 60’s – so it is not uncommon to have children, parents and grandparents playing, and to have brothers, sisters, Mums and Dads all in the one team! In this way Polocrosse becomes a shared passion of the whole family.
The sport took a leap forward in 1976 when the International Polocrosse Council was established by Mr Max Walters AM, MBE. Today the sport is played worldwide.
The most significant milestone has been the staging of two Polocrosse World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe took to the field at Australia’s premier Polocrosse facility at Morgan Park, Warwick in Queensland. Australia has won both the World Cups.
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