The 1st and 2nd series of the National Horseball Championship for Masters will take place on the 18 and 19th March at Sociedade Hipica Portuguesa, in Lisbon.
Programme
Saturday 18 th March
Matches
18:00 – Cascais Horseball VS Horseball Qta da Beloura
18:30 – Horseball Clube Alenquer VS Horseball Qta da Amorosa
19:00 – SPC-Centro Equestre João Cardiga VS Horseball Club CVG
Sunday 19 de March
Matches
18:00 – Cascais Horseball VS Horseball Clube Alenquer
18:30 – Horseball Qta da Beloura VS SPC-Centro Equestre João Cardiga
19:00 – Horseball Qta da Amorosa VS Horseball Club CVG
Horseball
Horseball is a fast and exciting team sport played on horseback. It was invented in France at the end of the 1970s. At that time the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) was exploring possibilities to bring a new dynamism in the riding schools, looking for an activity inexpensive and easy to organize in any riding school.
Any horse or pony is suitable for Horseball, at a novice level, most are 'general purpose' and also do showing, jumping and dressage. At International level, some prefer the Thoroughbred for it's speed, some prefer the Native breeds for their short, compact bodies, but all have one thing in common – they require a high standard of basic dressage in order to comply with the agility, muscle structure and obedience demanded by the game.
For the rider, Horseball is proving to be an excellent riding school discipline for all ages, it teaches the rider balance and the use of seat and legs without reliance on the rein. The equestrian sport is one which historically attracts girls, with Horseball, more boys are now coming into riding in order to play the sport and continuing to ride, where before they would have given up at after a few lessons.
In a society which is constantly striving to work together in the world, where business now has to send their employees on costly 'team building days', this team sport builds relationships and encourages an understanding of team spirit that stays with it's participants through-out their lives.
The game is played in a normal riding area of 20×60 meters – ideal dimensions being 25×65 meters. The goals are one meter loops hooked vertically at 4.50 meters off the ground.
A simple game
Two teams of four players attempt to score into the opponent's goal. The team with the most of goals wins the game. Because of the goals, the passes game, and the quick actions, horseball can be compared to basketball.
A true team game
An important point of the game is that you must make at least three passes between three different team members before it is allowed to score. Therefore all team members must collaborate together for each action.
A safe game
The rules of the game are now mature and insure a collective and fast but safe game. The game is controlled by two referees one mounted and the second one seated with a view of the entire pitch. The referees have a radio connection for direct communication.