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Land Rover dominates the polocrosse Highgoal tournament ~ Robyn Klaasen

Land Rover Durban successfully hosted the inaugural Highgoal polocrosse tournament over the last weekend in May (27-28 May). The picturesque setting of the Durban Shongweni Club combined with impressive displays of polocrosse played by some of South Africa’s best and topped off with a fancy black tie gala dinner meant only one thing- those who weren’t there certainly missed out!

 

 

The event saw eight teams fighting it out in a number of games over the weekend to win the prestigious title. The four men’s teams were generously sponsored by Branson, Zambeze Delta Anti-Poaching, Alzu and Durban Land Rover and the four ladies’ teams by Alzu, Team M&M, Rhino Truck Sales and Team Evoque. In the end however, it was both Land Rovers’ men’s and ladies’ teams who came out on top. Land Rover Durbans Team Evoque for the ladies division walked away with R10 000 cash following an incredibly impressive performance over the two days, and after a nail-biting, highly competitive final, Land Rovers men’s team also walked away with the prize of R12 500 cash as well as the title that started it all- first ever winners of the Land Rover Durban Highgoal!

The finals for both the men’s and ladies’ divisions were held on Sunday. With teams so evenly matched it was difficult even for those who have been around since the beginning of competitive polocrosse in South Africa to pick the winners. At one point the commentator even mentioned that the teams with the best horses will be the ones who come out victorious. Whether this was true or not, Land Rovers Team Evoque beat Team M&M 16-12 with Alzu finishing 3rd with a score of 16-15 against Rhino Truck Sales. In the men’s division, Zambeze Delta Anti-Poaching lost to Branson with a convincing score of 32-25 and Land Rover finished the day off with an impressive win against Alzu, beating them 35-24.

Not only were both Land Rovers’ teams winners of their divisions, but Jean Hackland- member of the Land Rover Evoque team also won Most Valuable Player in the ladies division as well as Best Turned Out Pony for her horse Mayhem. Andrew Haynes who captained the Land Rover men’s team also took home the prize for Most Valuable Player in the men’s division and his horse Vault of Value won Golden Pony for the tournament. Their Australian ‘import’ Lance Anderson walked away with the award for Best No. 2 player.

“It was a fantastic event overall with world-class polocrosse players bringing their best to the field,” said event organiser and Shongweni Polocrosse club chairman, Brent Von Benecke. “Shongweni experienced the usual glorious weather for this time of year, and there was a great turnout with hundreds of visitors coming to witness the fast-paced action.”

Being a High Goal tournament, each team consisted of six players with a combined handicap of between 42 and 45 (out of a possible 60) where 0 is a beginner and 10 a world-class player. Showing its calibre, the tournament welcomed two 10-handicap players – Jannie Steenkamp and Graham MacLarty – to the field.

Trying Out Novice, a taste of great things to come ~ Brigitte Billings

The nice thing about Novice is that it really is a level for any horse. Dressage often gets a bad rap as being elitist and purely for the ‘money set’, but a well-schooled crossbreed has just as much chance of doing well in a Novice test as an imported Warmblood.

In fact, many dressage experts believe that any horse can easily compete right through Elementary. This means that simply by caring for your horse and being committed to your schooling, you can enjoy years of dressage with a horse of any age or budget. Better yet, an imperfect horse will most likely benefit greatly from the strength and flexibility that this training will give him.

Prelim prep

If your Prelim foundations have been well established, the transition to Novice should be fairly smooth. While your horse will continue to be challenged by the athletic requirements of each test, if you’ve started him correctly, his body should be able to adapt to the demands with minimal stress.

Again, consider how you would embark on a training programme yourself. You wouldn’t walk into a gym and immediately lift the heaviest weight in the rack, or set the treadmill to the fastest or toughest level; instead you’d build up strength and stamina gradually, while maintaining correct form. The same applies to your equine athlete.

 The Tests

There are seven Novice tests – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and a Freestyle, which is dressage ridden to music. As in Prelim, the horse should be ridden in a snaffle bit and the rider may ride with whip and spurs. The movements introduced to your horse in Prelim will now require more accuracy. Gait changes are more pronounced and should be accurately ridden at the marker. A lengthened canter is introduced, which will show that you are able to ask for a burst of impulsion and then a return to a working canter within the space of two markers – quite a challenge if your horse is not on the aids, but it’s an excellent way to teach you to use your seat rather than your hands to control speed.

Judges will also be paying more attention to your horse’s rhythm, straightness and balance, which will be tested in movements such as the ten-metre half circle in trot and the 15-metre canter circle. Don’t overlook the importance of the ‘stretchy trot circle’, in which you allow your horse to take the rein and stretch down on a 20-metre circle. It allows the judge to see that your horse is working comfortably over his back and is happy to reach forward to the contact – fundamental aspects of good schooling.

By the time you reach Test 6, you’ll be doing the rein-back, counter-canter and lateral work in the form of the leg yield. While this may sound daunting, all of these are natural progressions of your basic schooling and your horse should adjust to them with minimal resistance. For example, consider that a horse working in balance will not need to ‘lean in’ on a canter circle, so should be comfortable working on either lead. Also, if your horse is responding correctly to the leg aid, stepping away will be a simple response to leg pressure, resulting in a leg yield.

Ringcraft Learning some basic ‘ringcraft’ can help you achieve better scores. Prepare your horse for transitions by getting him balanced, don’t cut corners (you’ll quickly realise that corners are your friends) and be accurate on your markers. Your instructor can provide tips on turning your ‘5’ into a ‘6’ – or even a ‘7’, just by paying attention to the little details.

Of course, many of these things are easier said than done, because in a lot of instances you will be learning at the same time as your horse. But this is the beauty of dressage – it’s an endless journey of discovery which ultimately strengthens your relationship.

Next month we’ll look at the Elementary classes, where the pressure starts to mount.

Want to try it out? Recreational membership is free! Visit www.dressagesa.com for contact information.