Five different sports for you and your horse.
Want to get involved in an equestrian sport and do something a bit different?
Perhaps you are looking for a fresh challenge, or a new discipline to try with your horse as you haven’t quite found their forte? Check out the five options below and see what could work for you.
Background
Horseball is a game played on horseback where a ball is handled, and points are scored by shooting it through a 1m hoop 3.5m from the ground. The sport is a combination of polo, rugby and basketball.
Game information
A Horseball match takes place in two 10-minute halves. There are two teams that consist of four players on the pitch and two in reserve. During the game they must take possession of the ball and, without dismounting, make three passes between three different players before shooting at goal. The ball cannot have remained for more than 10 seconds in the hands of the same player.
Right for your horse?
There is no ideal Horseball horse, any horse can play. Currently, the association see Cobs, Arabs, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods & Quarter horses – playing across all divisions!
Many Horseball athletes do a range of activities with their horses, there are a number of dressage riders, eventers and showjumpers involved in Horseball at varying levels.
Idea of costs
– Annual membership: £35 for Under 16s and £90 for over 16s
– Average lesson prices: 1hr Training/Taster lesson on own horse – £10, hired horse: £25.
– Match/League prices:
- £60 for a full weekend which includes matches on Saturdays and Sundays £30 per day.
- £40 for a full weekend for Under 14s. Or £20 per day.
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Photo Credit Greg Jackson
Background
Horseboarding is a multi-disciplinary team sport which involves three individual elements; horse, horse-rider and boarder. The boarder holds onto a rope attached to the horse while your teammate rides the horse and navigates around a course of gates.
Game information
Simply a race through the obstacles and the fastest time wins!
Right for your horse?
There is no level of ability you need to be to have a go, Horse Boarding UK welcomes all. Bring your own horse if you want to give it a try, but you can still get involved even if you think your pony isn’t quite right for the sport. Book in on the training days as a boarder and the host will pair you up with a horse and rider team!
Idea of costs
– Entry fees: £15 per team
– Race assessment: £50 per team. £20 for individual
– Membership prices available once registered.
You can register here
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Background
Heard of Tentpegging but never really been sure what exactly it entails? The objective in Tentpegging is for a rider to pierce, pick-up and carry a target, with a lance or a sword, as they gallop towards the target.
Game information
Within the Tentpegging sport there are lots of different disciplines for you to try:
Right for your horse?
There are no requirements from you or your horse to be involved (although being fast with good steering is a definite bonus!). In official events, riders have been known to ride anything from a 13.2hh mounted games pony to an 18 hand Shire cross! If you have a need for speed then this is definitely a sport for you as you must be fast in order avoid getting penalties if you don’t meet the optimum time, but let’s not gallop before we can trot…
Most competitors or beginners take their horse along to training, and lucky for us the BTA provide a few tips on how to start training your horse at home, read up on them here.
Idea of costs
– Annual membership: £30
– Lesson and matches: vary depending on the local coach
Contact Tony at the Tent Pegging Association for membership and lesson information.
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Background
The UK has Polocrosse clubs all around the country and is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin: polo meets lacrosse. It is played all year round. All you need to play is a love of horses and the ability to ride.
Game information
The team is made up of 6 players divided into two groups of three who play alternate chukkas (sections of a match). Each rider uses a racquet with a loose, thread net in which the ball is carried. The ball is made of sponge rubber and is approximately 4″ across. The objective is to score goals by throwing the ball between your opponent’s goal posts. You play between 4-8 chukkas that are 6-8 minutes.
Right for your horse?
“During the UK season you will find thoroughbreds rubbing shoulders with Highlands, or Shetlands playing against sports ponies. There are a number of retrained racehorses now playing polocrosse, and at each tournament, there is an award for the one.” UK Polocrosse Website
Unlike polo, for a normal tournament, players are only allowed to play one horse, except in the case of injury. For International level, a ‘pool’ of horses are used, and some UKPA tournaments at the start of the season will be designated as ‘multi-horse’ to help bring out those new to the sport.
At junior level there are restrictions for the height of your pony, however, after this any horse can play.
Idea of costs
– Annual membership: ranges from £10 – £130
– Lessons and matches: vary between clubs check out your local one here
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Background
“TREC is a sport intended to test the skills of a horse and rider in planning and executing a long-distance ride in unfamiliar country. It originated in France as a way of testing and improving the skills of trail ride leaders and was introduced into the UK in the early 1990s.” TREC GB
Event information
Summer format
TREC is a three-phase competition
- Orienteering Ride (known as POR, an abbreviation of its full French name). Routes vary, depending on level from 10km to 40km. This phase is judged on following the map as accurately as possible and setting the right speed.
- Control of Paces (MA). Ridden in a corridor up to 150m long, competitors have to canter down the area as slowly as possible and then walk back as fast as possible. Points are gained by the time taken for each pace.
- PTV (basically an obstacle course). This can have up to 16 obstacles across 1 or 2 fields. There is a maximum time allowed, going over will incur penalties. Each obstacle is worth 10 points.
The competition prizes are decided by the points gained throughout the three phases, with the highest total winning.
Winter Format
Known as Arena TREC, it is very similar to the summer format, just shortened depending on the size of the arena being used.
Right for your horse?
This is a fun and social equestrian sport that has different levels to fit horse and riders at various stages. Within TREC GB, there are chances to train and aim for Championships, or you can use it as a chance to enjoy exploring the countryside with your horse or pony.
Idea of costs
– Annual membership: between £40-£68 depending on the level required.
– Average event entry fee: £55-£70
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