Horseball is an exciting horseback compounding of rugby , basketball game , hockey game , association football , and Harry Potter ’s magical game , Quidditch . The sportsman is quickly gaining ball-shaped popularity and welcomes riders of all abilities , from novices to pro . Most who are aware of this game are vivid horse devotee , but even those who are in the showtime stages of cavalry ownership can participate .
How to Play
Each squad has six member , include four active players on the landing field and two substitute players . team let in both male and female player , except in the Ladies conference . Horseball gamesare 20 minute long , with two 10 - minute periods with a 3 - minute prisonbreak in between .
The game lead off with the ball placed on the pickup truck team ’s 10 - meter line . The tone arm squad moves towards the bollock at any gait and one team member pick up the testis without dismounting in a move calledramassage .
Each player may only adjudge the glob for 10 second before overtake it to another squad member . After at least three straits between three different histrion , the histrion with the ball may shoot at the wicket and tally a goal . The team with the most destination scored at the ending of the 20 - minute plot wins .
Rules of the Game
TheInternational Horseball Federation ( FIHB)sets the official horseball rules .
player may snap up the Lucille Ball from the other team ’s players , but they must stay seated in the saddle and may only utilise one helping hand to do so . bear in the stirrups while grab the ball results in a penalization . musician may use their horses to advertize the other team out of bounds in a move calledtackling , and this is legal as long as each player is safely seated in the saddle .
The FIHB rigorously forbids tackling or otherwise intimidate players set about to break up up the orchis , and this includes forcing that musician to switch the focus of travel . Any player from either squad can pick up the ball if it falls on the earth . However , they can only legally beak it up if they are travel in the same direction as the ball was before the drop . This foreclose dangerous head - on collisions on the pitch .
Who Can Play?
Anyone with the power to control their horses with only their legs and seats canplay horseball , including novice rider . Players need good script - eye coordination more than athletic ability . Childrenas young as 6 can participate in the Under 16 league in the appropriate age division and may move up to the Pro Elite conference at age 16 . Below , you’re able to watch an inexpert squad play the game .
Equipment
Horseball requires only a few pieces of specialised equipment for buck and rider , stool this a very affordable game .
Riding Arena Setup
The riding area , called thepitch , has a soft , nonslip , well - drain sand open and may be indoors or outdoors . Its property are the same as a large dressage sports stadium at 25 meters wide and 65 meter long . Size may vary reckon on location , ranging from 20 to 30 meter panoptic and 60 to 70 meters long . The tar has a 3- to 5 - meter wide Security Zone along each side marked by a low roadblock . This is where substitute players and autobus wait . The closing of the pitch have a 1.6 - metre tall unpassable barrier .
A livid ring with a 1 - meter diam hang at each end , placed 4.5 meters above the priming coat with a white net behind it . The hoop may have a frame or may be suspended above the pitch .
The FIHB identify the ball as a " clear - dark-skinned junior football . " The Under 16 and Ladies classes utilize an n.3 size of it with a 60 - centimeter diam , and the Pro Elite stratum use an n.4 size with a 65 - centimeter diam . Six leather handle surround the glob . Each team must render a chunk for competition .
Player Attire
Player garb includes riding rear of barrel , marvelous bang , helmets , and squad jerseys . For extra protection , players may choose to use knee pads , consistence protectors , or glove , but the prescribed rule do not require the use of these slice of equipment . The FIHB forbids jewelry and watch for refuge reason , but instrumentalist may wear rings if their gloves cover the rings .
Tack
Players employ stock English weather sheet on their horses , include Englishsaddles , straightforward saddle pads , and martingales . The FIBH forbid the use ofFulmer bits , but otherwise , the player may use any bit , or they may choose to ride in bitless curb . Each sawbuck in competition wears bandages and circumvent boots for peg and hoof protection .
The only specialised part of tack is the pickup strap , which run for under the sawhorse ’s paunch and links the stapes together . Pickup straps allow players to lean off their horses to pick up the musket ball from the ground . All shroud must be in good repair , and players must instantly supplant any tack that breaks during play .
Horses
Players may use any horse breed in competition as long as the buck is at least 5 years of age . Very young children commonly useShetland poniesand subsequently alumna to magnanimous ponies and full - sized horses as they progress through the FIHB ’s age divisions .
Some adult players preferThoroughbredsbecause of the breed ’s speed and agility , while others prefer curt stock horse crosses so they are closelipped to the ground for pick up the ball . Players seldom use horse more than 16.3 hands tall due to the difficulty of get to a egg on the land from that height .
horse must be agile and in good wellness . The mutation requires sudden spurts and stops as well as besotted turns . The FIHB circumscribe horses to playing on only one team and in only one match per day . However , any player on the squad may ride the same horse in the competition .
Popularity and Competitions
The modern interlingual rendition of horseball began in France in the 1970s , and the game remains most popular in that country . However , 18 countries on five continents are member of the FIHB , and the organization holds sanctioned competitions around the world each twelvemonth for its Under 16 , Ladies , and Pro elect leagues .
A Great Activity for Anyone
Horseball is an exciting game for equestrians of all disciplines . The game ’s simple rules and accent on safety make it a suitable activity for little children and beginner riders , but the fervour and fast footstep allow a fun challenge for even advanced equestrians .
