AN equestrian sport which does take place on the flat but requires a higher degree of rider performance than others is polocrosse which was exhibited at lunchtime on the opening day of last week’s Balmoral Show.

Teams representing Northern Ireland (Tyrella) and the Republic of Ireland (Equus) played a few chukkas in front of an interested but sparse crowd which would have been a lot larger had people been aware that the exhibition was scheduled and if the weather had been kinder.

All of the ‘ponies’ used at the show were re-trained thoroughbreds, as they are very agile and have a good brain, and Anne O’Connor, senior executive officer with Treo Eile, made a presentation to the teams recognising this fact.

Bluegrass Horse Feed’s Craig Kileff provided a commentary on the match while Racing’s Inside Track TV conducted an informative interview with the opposing No 1s, Toby Flynn and Debbie Harris, which can be viewed online.