OVER the Jubilee weekend, the Tyrella polocrosse pitch at Oaktree Farm, Hillsborough turned into a sea of red and blue, as Pony Club riders from North Down, East Down and Mid Antrim branches, came together for an exciting afternoon of Chukkas with family and friends.
Spectators were treated to an action-packed match on a glorious day of sunshine, as they relaxed with picnics around the pitch. Polocrosse coach, Angela Fynn rotated line-up positions, in each Chukka, so that all riders had an opportunity to play every number. This was the riders’ first time playing together in both teams and, with the help of Angela’s coaching, all competitors and their horses played well. There were many lovely passes, swift pick ups, exciting side-lines runs and beautiful goals, resulting in echoes of cheers from supporters.
When the match came to a close, family and friends made their way back to the Barn to enjoy a barbecue and some apple pie.
Many thanks to Tyrella Polocrosse Club for hosting the event at Oaktree Farm. Most of the players in attendance have been training every Tuesday evening on the pitch at Hillsborough, since the grass season commenced, in preparation for the upcoming Pony Club Championships and Tournaments.
Seven of the riders from North Down and East Down will be competing at the major event of the year, the Pony Club Polocrosse Championships taking place in Offchurch, England this August. Annabelle Mack and Harris Mathers will compete in the Minis category. Eloise Keers, Max Lewis, Bailey McGuile, Abbey Wallace, in the Novice Junior category and Ashleigh Sanderson in the Seniors.
Over July and August, extra competition training has been scheduled for weekends at Oaktree Farm, to ensure the riders will be ready to meet any challenges ahead of them.
Also in the pipeline are junior tournaments with Carrickmines Polocrosse Club in the next few weeks. There they will compete in friendly matches and this is one of many exchanges planned between Area 17 Pony Club Polocrosse and the Southern Ireland polocrosse clubs over the season.
As the sun was setting on the Polocrosse pitch at Oaktree Farm and the grown up folk and horses were ready to retire for the evening, the children played on in the courtyard, racquets in their hands, balls in the air, happy doing what they love.
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