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American Polocrosse Association

A 501(c)3 Non-Profit

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About Polocrosse

The mission of the American Polocrosse Association is to offer educational programs which promote the sport of polocrosse for youth and adult players by providing the framework for domestic and international programs that further education on horsemanship and sportsmanship; and that ensure the safety of horse and rider.

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Player Ratings

What is Polocrosse?

Although polocrosse resembles the American Indian game of lacrosse, its origins date back hundreds of years to Persia and its sister sport of polo. In England, polocrosse was an indoor exercise to teach people how to ride a horse. The modern game took shape in Australia in the 1930’s. Today, there are over 6,000 players in the world. For over 25 years, the United States has had different levels of exchange programs, beginning with Australia and now includes several other countries. Team USA participated in the very first Polocrosse World Cup in 2003 and in each one, held every four years.

About The American Polocrosse Association

The American Polocrosse Association (APA) is a non profit 501(c)(3) public charity and is the official polocrosse organization in the USA. It was originally formed in 1984 in Phoenix, Arizona and it has helped polocrosse clubs organize from coast to coast. The APA now has 44 clubs across the US and is growing continuously. The APA is a member of the International Polocrosse Council (IPC) and has written the official USA- APA rule book.

The Association provides:

  • Umpire training and certification
  • Coaching accreditation
  • Instructional clinics
  • Sanctioning of tournaments
  • Tournament insurance
  • Selection of teams for international competition

Official APA rack cards and brochures on polocrosse are available here for download or contact us for printed samples.

Articles of Incorporation

“Articles of Incorporation” is a legal document that is filed with the state to create a corporation, and are the primary rules governing the management of a corporation in the United States. Non-profit articles contain the organization’s basic information and tax exemption information. The APA has filed with the state of Texas for the purpose of legally documenting the creation of the organization, and became a wholly functioning 501C3 non-profit organization in 2008.

View Standards of Play >
View the APA ByLaws >
View Incorporation Documents >

Board Members/Leadership Information

Hughesville, MD

(301) 481-1795
Email >

Katelyn James

President

Whispering Pines, NC
(610) 764-8133
Email >

Donna Ellis

Vice President

Wagram, NC
(609) 915-3631
Email >

Sara Cifelli

Secretary to the Board

Summerfield, NC
(336) 908-4648
Email >

Jen Kimbrough

Treasurer

Grand Bay, AL
(251) 510-5889
Email >

Stacy Upshaw

Central Zone Representative

Colorado Springs, CO
(719) 359-7747
Email >

Susan Hatch

Mountain Zone Representative

Mechanicsville, MD
(301) 997.4395
Email >

Erin Barnes

Eastern Zone Representative

West Linn, OR
(503) 319-8201
Email >

Cile Savoy

Board at Large

Boyds, MD
(301) 503-2899
Email >

Nick Balogh

Board at Large

South Hamilton, MA
(336) 362-7507
Email >

Ryan Murphy

Board at Large

Wiggins, MS
(228) 263-0930
Email >

Charles Saussy

Board at Large

Other Points of Contact

NameTitlePhoneEmail
Laura HumphreysExecutive Administrator(843) 825-2686Email >
Leslie GuzmanGrant Development-Email >
Business DevelopmentEmail >
Domestic Clinic CoordinatorEmail >
Daniel JohnsonChief Umpire(512) 289-4358Email >
Player Development
CommunicationsEmail >
Cile SavoyUSPC Liaison(503) 319-8201Email >
Jen KimbroughFinance(336) 908-4648Email >
Patti CifelliBookeeper(609) 915-6972Email >
GrievanceEmail >
Laura HumphreysWebsite(843) 825-2686Email >
Laura HumphreysNationals(843) 825-2686Email >
RatingsEmail >
International LiaisonEmail >
Heather ShuttlesWorld Cup Chair(512) 517-74571Email >

The History of Polocrosse

With deep roots in Australia, polocrosse has an extremely rich history impacted by culture, war, and creative advertising. Explore the history of polocrosse.

Ready to learn more?

With deep roots in Australia, polocrosse has an extremely rich history impacted by culture, war, and creative advertising. Explore the history of polocrosse.

Learn More >

Rules of Polocrosse

Interested in the rules of polocrosse? The APA is responsible for creating and maintaining the official Standards of Play document.

Check out the rules.

Interested in the rules of polocrosse? The APA is responsible for creating and maintaining the official Standards of Play document.

Learn the Rules >

Upcoming Events

From local tournaments to the 2019 Polocrosse World Cup in Australia, this is the best resource for polocrosse-related events. See what's happening.

Ready to learn more?

From local tournaments to the 2019 Polocrosse World Cup in Australia, this is the best resource for polocrosse-related events. See what's happening.

Get Involved >

Already a Member?

If you’re an APA member looking for resources, you’ve come to the right place. Our member resources page offers forms and documents, ratings, and more!

Ready to learn more?

If you’re an APA member looking for resources, you’ve come to the right place. Our member resources page offers forms and documents, ratings, and more!

View Resources >

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an expert horserider?

It doesn’t hurt, but it’s not at all necessary. There are many people in most clubs who learned to ride and play polocrosse at the same time. The game is played at all levels, called grades. At any event there are multiple grades – A being the top level, moving down through B, C and D. Often there is an E grade for people who have never before participated in a tournament. Larger tournaments usually have the numbers to handle having a Junior Division.

Do I need a special wardrobe and a large grassy field?

Certainly not. Unfortunately, all of the pictures and video that anyone ever gets to see show park-like expanses of grassy fields, riders all in white pants and matching polo shirts, the horses immaculately groomed with matching saddle pads, wraps, and bell boots, leather glistening, etc. At tournaments this is pretty much the case but there’s a whole lot more polocrosse being played in jeans and T-Shirts by people with bizarre assortments of mix and match tack on dirt fields and arenas than idyllic scenes that always seem to be in those pictures. No one seems to want to take a picture or shoot video of a bunch of people that look like a squad of ragpickers riding horses that appear to have been used by the legions of Attila the Hun. While the standard field is supposed to be 60 yards by 160 yards with grass as the surface of choice, there are in fact a lot more dirt fields than grass and there are variations of the game that can be played in any reasonably sized area, indoors or out. Polocrosse is much more of an activity than just a game played at tournaments. From just messing around by yourself with a stick and ball, playing a little impromptu one on one, or perhaps two on two with some friends to full scale tournament play. It’s all polocrosse, and it’s all fun.

Do I need a special horse?

Absolutely not. Any horse will do. Horses pick up the game quickly and seem to enjoy it as much, if not more, than their riders. Any size, age, or breed. There is usually a melting pot of Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Paints, Paso’s, Walkers, Heinz 57, and even an occasional mule.

Do I need any sort of special tack?

While the American Polocrosse Association has a few rules about tack and equipment, it is best to check with your local club for their requirements. Just bring whatever saddle and head gear you have. All clubs require that helmets be worn when playing. It is also strongly recommend that you use polo wraps or sports medicine boots or some kind of leg protection and bell boots as well as a breast collar. The American Polocrosse Association is much more concerned about equipment. They specify leg protection and bell boots, breast collars, bits with no shanks – like snaffles and Kimberwickes – and saddles without horns, as well as some other stuff, must be used at sanctioned events. Most club members ride in Australian stock saddles and a few English saddles, but no one expects you to saw the horn off your favorite Western saddle. Whatever you have will do nicely.

Do I need to be athletic?

Not particularly. There is an interesting phenomenon in polocrosse. Many of the better players were those people who always got picked last whenever sides were being chosen for some school sport. Lots of us spent our formative years condemned to play right field in any baseball game. Polocrosse seems to have particular appeal for late bloomers and those of us who can’t dance.

Is playing an entire match hard on my horse?

No harder than any other activity, other than hanging around the barn. Of course the higher the level in which you participate, the more fit your horse has to be. By the rules, no horse is permitted to play more than 54 minutes on any day and in most competitions, the horses only play 32 minutes a day.

Is polocrosse dangerous for me or my horse?

When you get lots of horses and people together, there are all sorts of interesting things that can happen. It is better to be safe than sorry. All the rules of the game are about safety. Since polocrosse is an umpired game, there is always at least one, or more often two, umpires on the field, and are in complete control of the game play. The primary reason that they are on the field is to ensure the safety of both horse and rider. The umpires’ word is the law in these matters.

Will playing polocrosse have a negative effect on my horse’s personality?

Just the opposite. Horses that play polocrosse rapidly develop a great deal of poise. Not only do they become absolutely bullet proof in short order, they also develop some moves you never knew they had. When you’re playing polocrosse you forget all about riding your horse, and you and your horse start moving as one. That’s why polocrosse is such a great way to learn how to ride. You are so focused on playing the game, horsemanship just naturally follows.

News from the APA

Elections 2018: Candidate Information

November 14, 2018

Moon Lai Photography: Nationals Friday Games

October 13, 2018

Nationals 2018 Results

October 11, 2018

Moon Lai Photography: Nationals

October 11, 2018

Bridger Brawl Tournament Results

August 29, 2018

Nationals 2018 Official Information

August 5, 2018

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American Polocrosse Association

The mission of the American Polocrosse Association is to offer educational programs which promote the sport of polocrosse for youth and adult players by providing the framework for domestic and international programs that further education on horsemanship and sportsmanship; and that ensure the safety of horse and rider.

Recent News/Updates

  • Elections 2018: Candidate Information
  • Moon Lai Photography: Nationals Friday Games
  • Nationals 2018 Results
  • Moon Lai Photography: Nationals

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