Welcome to the USPC Polocrosse blog; here you can follow what is going on in Pony Club polocrosse, both in the US as well as international exchanges.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

October 29th Maitland Farm Spooktacular!

From Ryan Murphy;
Dear Polocrosse Friends,

Please join us at Maitland Farm on Saturday, October 29th for a day of Halloween fun! There will be PCers competing in a rally. Come support the pony clubbers by offering good competition. Enter your name individually and mix and match for a great full day of Polocrosse. In the evening, food will be served along with a Halloween party. Put a costume on you and your horse if desired.

The entry cost will be $40. Bring a coggins in the morning along with a check and sign the releases. Please RSVP by email so that we can make teams and a schedule ahead of time.

Play will begin at 9. If you would like to stay the night, space to pen horses will be available and I'm conducting a beginner clinic on Sunday from 9-1.

Also, don't forget about the Mad Max Jackpot APA Sanctioned tournament scheduled for November 12/13.

Thanks for your support of pony club and Polocrosse,

Ryan Murphy

Thursday, July 21, 2011

PC Champs streaming LIVE!

There is live streaming going on now at www.ponyclub.org You must download Microsoft Silverlight to view it but that is very quick and easy to do. Go out and watch the teams play!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

USPC at the World Cup - Game 3

The third and final game for this week was against Great Britain. Final score GB 18 - USA 11. There is no write-up posted on the official website yet. The US team will play against Ireland again for 3/4 on Saturday.

Pictures are being posted in multiple locations including free downloads on Shutterfly by Graham Gill. Although these photos are available for free, please give him credit for his talent.
Posh's Fan Club

Melissa Main is also at the World Cup as a sponsor for both US teams and as an official photographer. Check out her website for some great shots.
M. Main Photography
Click on Event Viewing (orders) to browse through photos.

USPC at the World Cup - Game 2

The final score at the end of game 2 was Northern Ireland 12 - USA 11.

The official write-up is below.

Pony Club - Northern Ireland vs USA
In the last game of the day the USA scored in the first 15 seconds, and great goal from Nick Balogh. Effective work from his defence in brother Peter and number 3 Katherine Hanagan cleared the way for him to put away two more before NI's Emily McCleane grabbed one back with a big overarm. Going into the second chukka NI began to put the pressure on with sisters Lizzy and Rachael Graham's strong defence. Their number 1 William Armstrong proceeded to hunt the ball on his nippy pony, scoring three to pull level and then take the lead. By the third chukka both number 3s were firing away, keping the ball moving from end to end as each team struggled to score. USA brought things level again before Emily McCleane's fantastic little chestnut pony pulled up lame and she was replaced by Nial Auret. The USA took their opportunity and put away two more goals to move the score to 7-5 in their favour. Now NI had some ground to make up, and a blistering run down the field by William Armstrong brought the score to 7-6, followed by a goal on the board against the USA that again equalised the score. During the fifth chukka NI's Nial Auret gave the crowd the run of the day, streaking down the pitch with the USA in hot pursuit, catching the bounce at an impossible speed and then shooting for goal almost in one movement. To the crowd's dismay he missed the shot, but it had been an eye-opening move that got the crowds cheering as the game came into it's final chukkas. Meanwhile, USA's Nick Balogh continued to have a very good game, scoring four more to again bring the USA up front. In the final chukka NI were two goals down, but if there was a section to pull it back it was William Armstrong and the Graham sisters. Brilliant teamwork, pickups and ball retrieval gave NI the three goals they needed to win the game 12-11, at the end of what had been a fabulous display of polocrosse from these young teams.

Monday, July 11, 2011

USPC at the World Cup - Game 1

The final score score of the USPC team's first match was England 12 - US 10. They closed a large gap in the score in the final chukkas but it was not quite enough to pull off the win.

This is the write-up from the official website;
Pony Club - England vs USA
In the second of the Pony Club games England's Morgan Griffiths scored a good opening goal and what followed was a pacy first chukka as the home side went out with lots of determination to do as well as the GB team had in the morning. England's 2 and 3 in Katy Wise and Sammy Connors were a solid defence and by the end of the first England were 2-1 up. In the second chukka it was the number 3s that shone. Both England's Louie Cornforth and USA's Andrew Diemer brought the ball out of area seveal times, and as England began to inch ahead it looked like the game might go as at had for GB earlier on. The USA side were mounted on unfamiliar horses (the only team to be so in this Pony Club competition), and as the game went on it became apparent that they were getting to grips with their mounts in a game situation. In the fianl chukka Evan Vallee scored a fantastic goal for the USA straight away, and then the team seemed to burst into life. Evan and his number 3 Andrew Diemer gave the crowd run after run and goal after goal, not allowing England even a sniff of the ball if they could help it. For a moment it looked like the game might go the USA's way, but England managed to hold onto their lead thanks to Louie Cornforth's defence out the back, and ran out the winners 12-10.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

World Cup Day 3 scores

Game 9
USA 12 vs. Ireland 11
We won this game in sudden death which moves us on to the semi-finals vs. Zimbabwe and places us in the top 4! This is the best that the US has done so far in the World Cup!

Game 10
Zimbabwe 22 - Zambia 10

Game 11
South Africa 14 - UK 13

Game 12
Australia 29 - New Zealand 5

Saturday, July 9, 2011

What's going on at the World Cup...

There are a few places to keep up with what is going on at the Polocrosse World Cup as it is happening.
Daniel Johnson has set up a facebook page which is updated as each game is being played.
Polocrosse World Cup 2011 Updates FB page
The official World Cup website is also being updated daily.
http://www.polocrosse2011.com/world_cup_news_updates.htm

Hopefully there will also be updates for the PC games once they begin.
Stay tuned!

World Cup Day 2 scores

Final scores for the day;

Game 5
New Zealand 20 - Zambia 5

Game 6
Zimbabwe 21 - Australia 12
(The FIRST World Cup match that AUS has ever lost! Huge upset!!)

Game 7
UK 18 - Ireland 17

Game 8
South Africa 18 - USA 7

Friday, July 8, 2011

World Cup Update!

All the players from both the USPC and APA World Cup teams have arrived safely in Rugby, England. Play began today at 1pm with a match between the US and the UK with the US coming out on top 17-12!! Go USA!!! The USPC will begin playing on Monday.

Final of Game 2;
Australia 33 - Zambia 3

Final of Game 3;
Zimbabwe 17 - New Zealand 15

Final of Game 4;
South Africa 19 - Ireland 9

Monday, June 27, 2011

Bucks County Polocrosse Tournament

This year's Bucks County tournament had a different setup than usual by combining A and B grade players into a World Cup Celebrity division with a current or previous APA World Cup player on every section. USPC Exchange team players Nick Balogh, Peter Balogh, Catherine Hanagan, and Gracie Gill all played in this division as there final tune-up before a team practice in North Carolina with the Carolina Polocrosse Club, and then flying out to the UK. Each Celebrity Division team ended the weekend with the same win-loss record and the placings came down to goals scored. The Light Green team which included Peter Balogh came out on top and the Red team which Catherine Hanagan played on came in second. The teams were very evenly matched which made all of the games equally challenging, fun, and exciting.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Bay Area Blue Crab Classic

The USPC Exchange team fielded two sections in a large B Grade at the Bay Area tournament. The Red team of Peter Balogh, Gracie Gill, and Catherine Hanagan came in first place with Peter taking home the Best Player award. The White team of Nick Balogh, Emma Bellet, and Sugarloaf player John Cook also played very well.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Carolina Classic Results

Sorry for the late update on the Carolina Classic tournament in Pinehurst, NC;
The USPC Team comprised of Gracie Gill, Emma Bellet, Nick Balogh, Peter Balogh, Andrew Diemer, and Catherine Hannigan played in B grade and were undefeated the entire weekend. They played superbly and won numerous individual awards and honorable mentions. Peter won Best #1, Emma won Best #2, and Catherine won Best #3 with an honorable mention given to Andrew. Pinky (Peter), Stella (Andrew), and Willow (Catherine) all received honorable mentions for Best Horse.
Trevor Birr also attended playing with Sandie Creek on a borrowed horse in D grade.

The team is selling t-shirts to raise money, and had a fantastic live auction at the tournament.

Some of the team members will be in Maryland helping out with the regional polocrosse rally this coming weekend.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Polocrosse World Cup Exchange Team

The USPC is proud to announce that they have selected a team of 7 players to represent the United States Pony Club during Polocrosse World Cup 2011 in England.  The other Pony Clubs that are sending teams include: England, Euro Pony Club (comprised of players from all over the UK) and Ireland.

The team is: Gracie Gill, Peter Balogh, Nick Balogh Catherine Hanagan, Emma Bellet, Andrew Diemer and Evan Vallee.  Brandon Alcott; Coach, Sarah Ferebee; Chaperone. Alternates are Melanie Watson and Trevor Birr.

Six of the seven players will play in B grade this weekend at the Carolina Classic Tournament in Pinehurst, NC.  They will have a weekend training camp over Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend right before they depart for England.

The team will host a dinner on Friday night with all proceeds going towards their trip. They will also have t-shirts for sale and an auction on Saturday night to help fundraise for the trip.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Multi Region Polocrosse Rally - May 29th

There will be divisions available for walk/trot, novice, and intermediate horse.
If you would like to participate, but are in need of a team, please let the organizers know.  They will do our best to place you on a team.
Our USPC International Polocrosse Team will be available to help the walk/trot players (a non-qualifying division) on the field during the rally.
They are asking all D1 rated participants, please include your DC's signature on your entry form.  And, the closing date is May 20th.  There will be a $25 late charge on late entries received.
Location:  Potomac Pony Club field in Boyds, MD 
Please let us know if you have any questions.  We are looking forward to a great really!
Thank you!!
Kathleen Balogh
Karen Bennett
Sandra Wiseman
Joan McPeek
Sharon Stroh

Friday, April 29, 2011

The 2011 Polocrosse Exchange to take place during the Polocrosse World Cup

The USPC will be sending a polocrosse team to compete against the UK during the World Cup this July. Check out the press release at;
http://www.ponyclub.org/news/63331/THE-2011-POLOCROSSE-EXCHANGE-TO-TAKE-PLACE-DURING-POLOCROSSE-WORLD-CUP.htm

Monday, April 18, 2011

Tennessee Valley's Havoc at Harvest Tournament and Rally

The Tennessee Valley Polocrosse Club welcomes you back to Harvest Farm for their Spring tournament on Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29! A, B, C, D grade + Ladies division, USPC Rally, & U17 Challenge Cup!
If you're interested in playing in the tournament as a Pony Club Rally competitor, contact Dalles Phillips. Entries will be accepted online ONLY at http://americanpolocrosse.org/event-entryform.php

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Testing...

Please allow for some time to get this blog up and rolling and full of useful information. It should be a useful resource for rally information, updates, and other opportunities Pony Club offers for polocrosse players. Stay tuned!