Horseball is a team game played on horseback, where a ball is passed from one player to another, the aim being to score as many goals as possible through a high net. It can be described as being a combination of polo, rugby and basketball.
A similar game is played in Afghanistan (bouzkachi) and Argentina (pato).
The game was first brought to France by Capitaine Clave, who introduced some new rules to the game of ‘indoor pato’ as he wished to change the name to ‘horseball’.
Matches were held between military teams, but with the arrival of the Second World War, the game was no longer played, and it became merely a form of exercise in a few riding clubs.
It was really during the 1970s and the creation of the Equestrian Games that the game of horseball was revived. The first Equestrian Games championships were held in Poitiers in 1979 and from then on, Horseball became and important sport in its own right in France. It hit the international scene during the 1980s when demonstrations were given to England and Portugal. The first international game was played in 1989 in Frankfurt, between France and Belgium. There are now many horseball clubs in France.
The basic rules involve a team of 4 players (plus replacements offside if necessary) making a minimum of 3 passes between 3 different players of their team and then scoring a goal through a hoop shaped vertical goal. The opposing team can defend by either preventing them from being able to shoot by pushing opponents out of the playing area using their horse’s weight or have the possibility to get alongside the players and pull the ball from their hands, in this situation the rules are that both riders have to remain seated in the saddle and the first to get pulled out of their saddle loses a penalty. On the other hand if both stay seated then if the defender manages to keep hold of the ball for more than 10 seconds then their teams earns a penalty.
International Federation de Horseball
Horseball has the potential to be a rough and dangerous game, but the rules are very strict in order to ensure that the game is made a safe as possible for horses and riders. It is very exciting to watch and can be played by everyone, from children to adults. Riders have to be fit and athletic as picking up the ball, which has leather straps around it, means leaning down and scooping it up from a fast-moving horse!
FH&C have features throughout the year, bringing you information on the Pro Elite Tour and Horseball competitions throughout France. Look out for the articles.
Horseball FFE
