From the Horse's Mouth

Sponsor & Supporter News Issue 10 – February 2007

In less than ten weeks we'll be welcoming you to Morgan Park. Heading the line-up of special guests is the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, who will officially open the World Cup on Monday 23 April. His Excellency, Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd), is patron of the Polocrosse Association of Australia and we are absolutely delighted that he has accepted our invitation. This will mark a tremendous start to what is shaping up to be an outstanding week for the sport and for the region.

Now to other news...

• Competitors: New Zealand has announced its team completing the line-up of contenders for the World Cup. Interest from emerging Polocrosse nations has seen the French confirmed to compete in the concurrent Australian Equine Alliance Club Carnival. Players from Zambia and The Netherlands are also packing their kit to play in the Carnival. Special thanks go to junior members of the Warwick Polocrosse Club and Tansey Polocrosse Club for lending these internationals horses to compete in the carnival. For more see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/about_nations.htm.
• Schools: At the end of January invitations were posted to 60 schools across the region inviting them to participate in our two McSchool Days. Entry to registered groups is free on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 April but registrations close on Monday 19 March. Each group will be provided with an usher and children will receive a sample bag courtesy of Queensland Sport & Recreation, Ridley AgriProducts, Queensland Department of Health, Dairy Farmers and the Australian Stock Horse Society. For more see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/about_schools.htm.
• Horse Feed: With the recruitment drive to source 200 world cup pool horses in its final phase, the pre-competition recommended feeding regime becomes important for those selected. This information is now online www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/about_horses_preparation.htm. For those who enjoy trivia, during their two weeks at Morgan Park these 200 horses will consume 26 tons of high performance Ridley AgriProducts stock feed and drink a total of 126,000 litres of water.
• Collectables: 2007 presents a unique opportunity to own a custom-built and designed Ridley Polocrosse World Cup official horse float. This three-horse float is the latest angle-load, bumper-pull model with a regular retail value of A$12,000. However this is a one-off item, which includes the World Cup branding, which guarantees to add value to the float. The float has been kindly donated by Otto Tuza's VIP Horse Floats and will be available for sale at the World Cup. To preview see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/about_horses_float.htm.
• At their February meeting, the organising committee gave representatives from Ridley AgriProducts a preview of the official horse rug. Only 200 of these branded and individually numbered rugs are to be produced and each owner who lends a horse to the World Cup pool will receive one as part of their take-home gift bag.
• Trade sites: When bookings closed on 31st January we had received a record number of applications which are now being processed. Exhibitors will appear at www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/about_trade.htm after 1 March.
• Have your say: You can participate in Polocrosse's first online survey. The series of 11 questions includes: Who you think will win the Cup? and Where do you think the 2011 World Cup should be held? The question now online is "How did you hear about the World Cup?" Vote now.
• Thanks Polo: Interest from the polo community in our event continues to grow with the Brisbane Polo Club supporting the event with an in-house and online promotion. This complements a superb feature in the current Polo Leisure magazine, to view click http://www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/news_articles.htm.