The Foothills Polocrosse Club now has it's own website. Visit the site here.
American Polocrosse Association Nationals 2004 By Belinda Radford
Nine players from Canada traveled across the border to compete in the American Polocrosse Association Nationals for 2004 held on Tomahawk Ranch near Douglas in Wyoming on the 4th & 5th September. Hosted by the Cross Family and Matt and Thea Chesney, the tournament drew over 150 players from across the US and Canada with the culmination of the finals on the Sunday afternoon.
One of the Canadian players, Dave Melnyk from near Okotoks, Alberta, was part of the winning Masters Team and brought back with him a silver buckle for his effort.
Representing the Canadian team were Don Mortimer, Sean and Jacquie McArthur, and Al, Sue and Kayla Hicks, all from around the Okotoks and Millarville areas. This team put a up a strong performance in the B Grade competition but were closely beaten in their first game by the eventual runners up in the B Grade, the Central Texas Chicks. They also had three other hard fought close games including a win against Washington State on Sunday morning.
Also travelling for the weekend were Renee Hicks who competed with Washington State Team in the C Grade competition, Lesley Plant who played in the Washington State B Grade team and Krystalle Darnel who cheered everyone on.
Dave Melnyk teamed up with two other players from the US, and competed in a round robin for the weekend to become the Masters Winners. Again there were some hard fought chukkas with one player nearly 80 years old taking part. Colin Field from Queensland, Australia who has been over here in Canada for the summer and helping the Canadian players was rewarded for his hard work by winning the award for the Best Conditioned Horse in the Masters Division.
There were 20 teams competing in the open competition, three junior sections and three Masters. Teams traveled from Washington State, the East Coast, Texas, Minnesota, Colorado and Canada.
Rain delayed the start of play on both days, but the three fields were soon full of fiercely contested games, with one game in the A Grade taking extra time into two chukkas to separate the teams. Sunday lunchtime was a spectacle as all teams presented for a Grand Parade and the exceptional voice of host Michele Cross sang the National Anthems for Canada and the United States
The weekend ended with the finals for the three open grades. Winning A Grade were the Texas Lone Stars over Camp Stewart another team from Texas in a very close game coming down to a single goal in the dying seconds of the game. Third place went to East Coast.
B Grade was won by the Washington Polocrosse Equip team consisting of four members of the Alcott family. In one of the best games over the whole weekend, they defeated the all girls team, the Central Texas Chicks. Third place went to host club Tomahawk Ranch.
C Grade was won by the Minnesota Extreme team who attended the Nationals the previous year and did not win a game. Kokopelli a Colorado team were runners up, with the Mountain Central team another Colorado team placing third.
The finale for the weekend was an exhibition game between Team Canada and the USA. Playing for Team Canada were Sean and Jacquie McArthur, Don Mortimer, Al and Kayla Hicks and Dave Melnyk. Unfortunately in the first Chukka, Jacquie McArthur, was injured and was ably replaced by Lesley Plant. Team Canada put up a great performance with some great passages of play, but were unable to beat the Americans on the day.
The hospitality provided by the Cross Family and staff and friends on the Tomahawk Ranch was exceptional. Players and visitors were treated to some typical Wyoming fare on Saturday night in "Roby's Kitchen" with rattlesnake, Wyoming prairie oysters, prairie dogs and buffalo on the menu. Fortunately the rattlesnake and Prairie dogs were well covered in a French Onion Dip flavour.
Back in Canada, 19 players turned out for the last game day of the season at the South Glenmore Park, Calgary on Sunday 19th September. Calgary Club will still continue with practice sessions on Thursday evenings, with a possibility that games may continue on Sunday afternoons through to October if the weather is fair.
September 22, 2004 - 2004 Stampede Classic International Polocrosse Tournament
An international Polocrosse was held July 10 and 11 at Field of Dreams (Lynwood Ranch), Aldersyde, Alberta. Teams from South Africa, Washington State and Alberta competed inaugural Stampede Classic Tournament. The event was sponsored by Polocrosse Canada and hosted by Foothills Polocrosse Club, with Calgary Polocrosse members providing logistical support.
A total of 7 teams competed in 2 divisions and included players from the USA, Canada, Great Briton, New Zealand and South Africa. A number of visiting Australian supporters were on hand as well as A Grade player Belinda Radford who helped out with umpiring duties.
Top honours went to South Africa in the B division, with Foothills taking second place. C Division was won by team USA with Calgary coming in second. B Division top female was Pam Bergen of Foothills with top male won by Patrick O'Sullivan of South Africa.
In the C Division Taffy Edwards of Great Briton playing for Calgary won the top male award with top female being won by Kayla Hicks of Calgary.
This tournament marks a high point for Polocrosse in Canada. A relatively new horse sport in the area, polocrosse was first played in Calgary in the early 1990's and has enjoyed slow but continuous growth since that time. The game has been called "The King of One Horse Sports" and is sometimes described as a mix of Polo and Lacrosse. It differs from Polo in that each player is allowed only one horse for the game. Also the ball is carried and passed from player to player rather than being struck as it is advanced upfield towards the opponent's goal. It is similar to Polo in that it involves one on one contact at a fast pace, with strategies changing constantly as the ball is controlled by one or the other team.
There are 2 clubs in Alberta at the present time. Calgary Polocrosse whose home field is located in South Glenmore Park and Foothill Polocrosse who play on the Lynnwood Ranch near Okotoks. Both clubs offer free clinics and practice sessions for new players and any interested parties are encouraged to contact either club for more information. For Foothills call Jacquie at 938-5577 for Calgary call Ted at 287-0594. Riders of all ages, ability and horse types are welcome. Regular sessions are planned through August in preparation for fall play.
Regular Sunday games will be held during the fall season between Calgary and Foothills alternating between each club's home field. Other upcoming events include a tournament in Washington State and the American Polocrosse Nationals held in Wyoming.
Calgary Polocrosse
June 16, 2004 - 2004 Stampede Classic
International Polocrosse competition comes to town with the inaugural Stampede Classic Tournament hosted by Foothills Polocrosse Club. Held July 10 and 11 at Field of Dreams (Lynwood Ranch), Aldersyde, Alberta.
Teams from South Africa and Washington State and players from Great Britain will compete with local clubs; Foothills and Calgary during the 2 day tournament. The venue provides ample free parking as well as stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and picturesque Highwood River.
Another milestone for polocrosse in Canada is the formation of Polocrosse Canada, who are sponsors of this tournament. Additionally a club is operating in Vancouver and a new group has formed in the Toronto area, all under the wing of Polocrosse Canada.
The 2004 Stampede Classic is kicked off on the 9th with participation in the Calgary Stampede Parade followed by the traditional tailgate barbeque bash at Fort Calgary. It will culminate with an evening of entertainment and Barbeque on Sunday. Activities will continue throughout the following week and will include a polocrosse match on the 16th . For the uninitiated quadcrosse is a uniquely Albertan game similar to polocrosse only played with 4 wheel ATVs (quads). Each machine carries a rider/driver and stick handler. Field size, ground condition and terrain vary, depending on what is available, preferably not the polocrosse field. Rules vary as well depending on how late into the evening the game goes. If you like rodeo this spectacle alone, is worth the price of admission.
Everyone is welcome to attend, admission is free and food and beverages are available at a nominal cost. Game times are 10 AM Saturday and Sunday and the field is located 4 or 5 km. north east of Aldersyde. Take #2 highway south of Calgary to Aldersyde and turn east on #547. go east for approximately 1km to the Lynnwood Ranch sign and turn north, (if you cross the river you have gone too far east). Continue north past Lynnwood Ranch to the northeast and up out of the river valley and take the first right to the east follow signs to the playing field.
Both local clubs offer free learn to play clinics and weekly practices as well as Sunday games.
