The Pony Club Polocrosse Championships took place on the weekend of the 10th and 11th of August at Offchurch Bury, alongside the main Pony Club Championships. Pony Club members came from all over the country to compete in the event, with player numbers at their highest for over ten years. There was 108 players across seven different grades, from the Novice Minis to the Open Seniors, and the members and their ponies put on a great display, showing off both their riding and their racquet skills.
The event saw lots of members taking part in their first Championships, with a strong entry across all the grades, particularly in the Minis where there were ten sections taking part. The Juniors saw three different levels of play with four teams in each level and there were also ten sections in the Seniors. As well as there being a high number of new players there were a lot of experienced players as well, with the Open Seniors featuring six sections who put on some great display of top level polocrosse. The standard of both horses and members at the Championships continues to improve with every year and across the grades there were lots of players who have played in previous Four Nations Competitions and also are on UKPA teams for Under 21’s and Under 16’s. It was clear that a lot of members had put a lot of work into both their own and their ponies training and it really showed on the pitch.
In addition to the polocrosse competition, the Pony Club Championships is also a great opportunity for members to socialise and have fun with members from other Pony Clubs and who are taking part in other sports over the same weekend. With both Mounted Games and Tetrathlon taking part over the same weekend there were lots of members and their families on site, adding to the overall occasion and also giving a great audience for members to compete in front of as they played out their matches on the main pitch in front of the marquees and trade stands.
The Pony Club Polocrosse Championships 2024 Full Results:
Novice Minis:
1st – South Northumberland – Anna Ridley and Very Valentino, Samuel Fletcher and Dirion Becca, Robyn Coulson and Jasper
2nd – South Shropshire – Jim Leeke and Bicton Ted, Harriet Williamson and Bonnie, Harry Beadles and Littlestones Peter Pan
3rd – North Warwickshire – Suzie Houston Mulaney and Ali, Gracie Rawbone and Erin, Edward Greatorex and Dunny Thunder
4th – Area 8 – Alex Smith and Ollie (Newmarket and Thurlow), Ryan Smith and Yogi (Newmarket and Thurlow), Alice Theckston and Rocki (Essex Hunt North)
5th – North Warwickshire Bears – Freddie Oliver Byrne and Galaxy, Matilda Bull and Mr Measles, Sophie King and Bella
6th – Newmarket and Suffolk – Harry Judge and Danny (Newmarket and Thurlow), Harry Brown and Rosie (Newmarket and Thurlow), Santiago Arturo Masters and Harry (Suffolk Hunt)
Open Minis
1st – South Shropshire and Romney Marsh – Grace Hockley and Snowy Mountain (South Shropshire), Lily Leeke and Kalusta Wizard (South Shropshire), Rosabella Howitt and Joey (Romney Marsh)
2nd – Area 6 – Sophie Wright and Sonny (Belvoir Hunt), Ava Atkins and Brandy (Rufford Hunt), Georgina Cheetham and Conazar Cheeky Chick (Rufford Hunt)
3rd – Walpole and District – Mia Freegard and Paddy, Izzie Hardy and Morgan, Daisy King and Ducky
4th – Tigers – Fred Eaton Evans and Duke (Suffolk Hunt), Chloe Theckston and Rosita (Essex Hunt North), Thomas Kenny and Ellington Rhian (Tynedale Hunt).
Novice Juniors
1st – Falcons – Millie Taylor and Doc (Warwickshire Hunt), Joe March and Diva (South Northumberland), Clarissa Gale and Ava (Burghley Hunt)
2nd – Hawks – Lola Flower and Pampita (Essex Hunt North), Isabel Masters and Munch (Suffolk Hunt), Archie Wasdell and Pinot (Warwickshire Hunt)
3rd – Area 8 – Elli-May Baskerville and Rain (Waveney Harriers), Kaitlyn Allen and Rocky (Walpole & District), Abigail Robbins and King (Deanswood Equestrian Centre)
4th – Devon & Somerset – Alexis Kemp and Arabus Charisma, Asa Weston and Rosslayne Dawn Chorus, Caleb Weston and Bunbury Cafu
Intermediate Juniors
1st – Area 8 – Sammy Westerling and Rev (Essex and Suffolk), Connie Fitton and Harry (Suffolk Hunt), Maggie Flower and Ghost (Essex Hunt North)
2nd – South Shropshire – Charlotte Gee and Birdie, Maggie Clark and Roman, Abi Boswell and Furia
3rd – Area 6 – Olivia Sharp and Missile (Belvoir Hunt), Ava Lambert and Rioja (Burghley Hunt), Oliver Winter and Bissy (Burton Hunt)
4th – North Warwickshire – Isla Oliver Byrne and Suga Shot, May Chance and Malambo, Hannah King and Jessie Tango
Open Juniors
1st – Warwickshire and Llangeinor – Oliver Hayes and Choccy (Warwickshire Hunt), Austin Hayes and Little V (Warwickshire Hunt), Alfie Anthony Vollans and Jupiter (Llangeinor)
2nd – North Northumberland and North Down – Talula Mason and Bumblebee (North Northumberland), Abbey Wallace and Enigma (North Down), Tilly Threlfall and Monty (North Northumberland)
3rd – Burghley and North Down – Perdy Gale and Lola (Burghley Hunt), Zara Stafford and Star (Burghley Hunt), Max Lewis and Mayday (North Down)
4th – Area 2 – Ethan Campbell and Princessa (Morpeth Hunt), Tegan Lorey and Passion (North Northumberland), Anya Tate and Fiddi (Morpeth Hunt)
Novice Seniors
1st – Area 8 – Toby Milner and Vesper (Suffolk), Xanthe Goodman and Pedro (East Essex), Holly Theckston and Indica (Essex Hunt North)
2nd – Warriors – Jack Page and Dotty (Essex Farmers), Sophie Taylor and Flight (Warwickshire Hunt), Jess Gill and Lady Mischief (Rufford Hunt)
3rd – Vikings – Jess Alderson and Big Malteaner (Hurworth Hunt), Jasmine Ford and Red Shield (North Northumberland), Amelia Johnson and Kildromin Dream (Rockwood Harriers)
4th – Devon and Somerset – Alex Radcliffe and Romany Red, Sam Lock and Dende Worth the Wait, Fliss Gostling and Ted’s Humbert
Open Seniors
1st – Northumberland and North Down – Millie Da Costa Evans and Promise (South Northumberland), Amalie Mason and Batman (North Northumberland), Mia Lewis and Cruz (North Down)
2nd – Area 7 – Jess Clark and Lorde (South Shropshire), Alice Leeke and Archies Lad (South Shropshire), Georgie Wasdell and Mrs Caudwell (Warwickshire Hunt)
3rd – Area 8 – Taryn Tinker and Ziva (Essex and Suffolk), Ollie Rowbotham and Arizona (Essex and Suffolk), Kiki Flower and Skooch (Essex Hunt North)
4th – Flint & Denbigh – Daisy Stone and Glen Valley, Katie Davies and Goa, Isabella Stone and Volt
5th – Area 8 – Jack Page and Montana (Essex Farmers), Stella Stearn and Tracey (Suffolk Hunt), Hannah Davitt and Molly (Deanswood Equestrian Centre)
6th – North Warwickshire – Jayda Williams and Willow, Keeley Rock and Zoze, Katinka Frassoni and Bruce