Laurel Saddle Club Cowboy Polo Team
*All Laurel Saddle Club Cowboy Polo Team members
must be current LSC members in good standing*
*New members are welcome throughout the season*
Practice times and dates:
Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 5:00 p.m.
Contact Andy Miller # 671-6389
2010 Polo Tournament dates:
**Tournament fees are $10.00 per person**
May 22-23rd - Great Falls
June 12-13th - Laurel Saddle Club
June 26-27th - Three Forks (Bozeman Host)
July 17-18th - Anaconda (Butte Host)
July 31- August 1st - Missoula
August 28-29th - Field Days @ Great Falls
**Field day participants must be at least 18 years old**
For more information, contact:
Heather Richeson
406-628-6095, 406-788-2199
Cowboy Polo information:
Cowboy Polo is a sport for the whole family. There is no age limit, but most participants range in age from 16 to 60. The game is played in rodeo style arenas with two five player teams. Each player is armed with a mallet and the object is to knock an inflatable rubber ball through the other team's goal.
Cowboy Polo is the average person's sport. You don't need a whole string of horses to participate. All that is needed is a horse, a mallet, the ability to ride, and the love of adventure. As in any sport the game is more enjoyable with good audience participation. The Cowboy Polo Association welcomes everyone, whether interested in learning the game as a participant or as a spectator. Spectators are welcome at all events, both local and national.
Cowboy Polo Rules:
A team consists of five players. Players are limited to using no more than two horses per game. Most players will use only one horse. There are ten players and horses on the field at one time along with two referees and two goal spotters.
The field is divided into four 50ft. sections and one center section of 60ft.
There are two opposing players in each zone dueling over the ball, trying to go in opposite directions towards their respective goal areas. The ball is made of rubber about the size of a child's netball. Players must remain in their own zones and crossing the line into the next zone results in the ball being given over to the opposing player. A game consists of four fifteen minute chukkers with mandatory four-minute rest periods at the end of each chukker and a nine-minute break at half time.
The most important part of the field is the 20ft. goal area at each end of the field, usually designated by witches hat. A goal made from the first zone is worth one point. If it's made from the second, zone from the goal, without being touched by either player in the first zone,' it is worth two points. An untouched goal from center counts for three points.
Whenever a player knocks the ball outside the field it will be returned to the approximate spot where it left the field and the opposing player, will put the ball back into play.
Equipment & Dress:
The polo mallet is usually made of cane but can be made of fiberglass; it cannot exceed 60 inches in length.
Saddles must be American western saddles or Australian stock saddles. Horses should wear protective bandages or boots.
Western or Australian style felt hats must be worn or protective helmets. Cricket helmets with face guards may be used if wished by the player. Riders may also year knee and shin guards, or extra protective clothing. Breast pads, for horses, which slide over the breastplate, can be useful to protect the horse’s shoulders, if riders wish to use them.
Western jeans, riding boots and a shirt in the specified club color (blue & white with LSC logo).
Horses may be ridden in any style of bit or hackamore, including mechanical hackamore's, as long as the equipment is humane.
Tie downs are accepted. The club reserves the right to ask for the removal of any piece of equipment liable to cause discomfort to the horse.
Horses, which bite or kick other players or horses, will be withdrawn from the field. at the discretion of the referee or arena director, as will players who endanger other players unnecessarily.
Equipment failure during the game will not result in time-out unless the player or horse is in danger, then the referee will call for a safety time-out. However each team is entitled to four two-minute time-outs during the game and may use these at their discretion, eg. if a player drops a mallet or a girth breaks.
