Horseball Horseball was introduced to Australia in 2009 off the back of the sport’s popularity throughout Europe. It is a game played on horseback where a soccer ball, with handles attached, is passed amongst players and points are scored by shooting it through a high net. The sport is a combination of polo, rugby, and basketball – but all on horseback! Two teams of four players attempt to score into the opponent’s goal making a minimum of 3 passes between 3 different players on their team then scoring a goal through a hoop shaped vertical goal, approximately 4.5m off the ground. The team with the most number of goals wins the game. The rules of the game ensure a fast yet safe game that is enjoyable to play and to watch. The game is controlled by two referees, one mounted and the second one seated, with a view of the entire pitch. This sport originated in Argentina, dating back to early 1700, and in 1953 was declared Argentina’s national game. The name of the game “pato” derives from the use of a live duck instead of the six - handled ball. The game as it is known today, including the use of a ball instead of an animal, was defined in the 1930s There are 16 official member countries of the Federation International Horseball, based in France, whose role is to oversee international competitions and promote this ancient sport worldwide. The Australian International team will be competing against the visiting UK team at Equitana Sydney on November 7th. The UK Team consists of some of the worlds best players. Stuart Copeland who has been playing Horseball for 20 years, and has managed in this time to progress to the top level within the UK. Becky Markwell who started playing Horseball in 2004, is now playing at international level; Sam Coulman who has played horseball for 7 years and worked her way up to 1st division; Joe Benham who has competed internationally on 5 occasions and Jasmine Granger who has played horseball in Spain at the Spanish Open Ladies Tournament and looks forward to her spot in France next year.