Old News

January 7, 2010

A Year in Review:

We have been very busy this year building the sport of Polocrosse in Calgary. We began our adventures this year in a wonderful facility west of Calgary called Kestrel Ridge where we did some well needed indoor practices with our horses. The weather did not cooperate to get us out on the field as early as we have been in years past but we were able to hit the field by May.

I would like to also point out that I believe that this was in fact the year of the "Headplant". Never have we had so many people come off their horses...Even outside of our club we had alot of un-requested dismounts! Let's check our list:

Allison Cully
Christine Thomson
Liam Robinson                      Guests:  Cilla Pickering - Blue
Dana Walliser                                        Al Hicks  - Linden
Rachel Robbins                                    Josie Leduc - Rosie
Deb Nickels                                           Josh Saul - Marty
Karys Hildebrand                                   Tracey Abbott - Tommy
Brittany Kuhns
Marc Sheriden

It has in fact been a very "colorful" year with a pile of beer being purchased to pay off debts due to the club for stop, drop and roll! Hopefully 2010 does not bring as many falls as we were all very fortunate that everyone recovered.

May

Our first big outing as a club and I must say it really was a great turn-out and alot of fun was had by "most"...was our trip to Stettler. Calgary's club currently hosts the most children playing and they really had a pile of fun trying their hardest to beat a group of Stettler riders (as well as some 4H kids) that are trying to pick up the game of Polocrosse. Our kids were surprised how well some of the Stettler girls played but are keen to go back and try to claim the title!

We also picked up some new horses this month that were welcomed with open arms. Enter "Dot", "Swiss", "Estrella", and "Finch" Who for the most part look as if they will fit in VERY well.

June

We were actively on the field playing and the first of our summer guests arrived. We welcomed "Beanie", "Cilla" and "Jones" from South Africa. We had alot of fun getting to know the girls and watch them play as well as get used to "Life in Canada". Lauren Jones seems to have fallin' happily in love with "Dot".

July

YIKES!!!! This was a wild one...July 1 we hosted the first ever "Belle and Elle Birthday Brain-Bashing Bonanza". This event could not have been any brighter! We were blessed with the opportunity to have Laura Moore come out to sing both the Canadian and South African National anthems with the weather just beaming.

2 Days later we were off cleaned and polished to the the Calgary Stampede Parade where several from our group were kind enough to loan their trusted steads out to visiting guests. We met up with our 3 USA players here. Then straight off to the "Stampede Classic" tournament. The parade group looked just smashing with a section from USA, South Africa and a big group representing Canada/Calgary.

The "Tight and Bright" 1 day tournie at Millarville quickly followed with our very own Isabelle Ladiges winning "Best Costume"!

Over the past few weeks we have been trying to build our field at Dave and Helen Rees's who were kind enough to allow us to host our first 2 day tournie on their property. It was deathly hot out for the weekend and turned into a 1 day tournament rather than a 2 day tournament due to an accident. We'll have to make up for it next summer instead. This weekend was the capper for most of our players but we trudged on.

August

Was a little quieter for the club with only the Canadian Nationals to deal with. It was held in Millarville this year where the entertainment was both funny and horrible! This was also the first tournament where most players played horses that had been spray painted in the night by Sam Bullen aka "Hot Sam". Who thought it would be funny to try and frame me for a job well done! I am not sure why but most believed and still do that it was in fact me...

September

Sam Darmody and Maryanne Gough have now started with some training for Polocrosse and Horsmanship which was tremendous. We will try and arrange this for earlier in the year next year so do stay tuned in for dates on this. We will be hosting guest Polocrosse trainers as Sam headed back to Australia already...

November

We hosted our annual Christmas party at "The Plant's" house complete with alot of laughing, horsing around and gift exchange. Who knew the most important gifts were "bit warmers" and "lime green" polowraps! Of course the ever important "Horse of the Year" title was also voted on and went to "Dot" who only won by a hair!
This month also sent Shelby and Sam back to Australia and our own Deb Nickel off to New Zealand. Both the girls should come back worldly and full of Polocrosse skills to help bring up our level of play. Way to take one for the team girls!

December

This month as you would expect did not bring much Polocrosse but we did host our 5th Annual Red and White wine raffle. Our winner for this year was Jane Mollison! She received 24 bottles of hand selected red and white wine to help her enjoy the Christmas season.

This of course brings us to close 2009. We are all looking forward to a great 2010 which seems off to an interesting start.

Let's stay on top of our steads for 2010!