Page updated 12/13/2007 4:00 PM

 

Dear Fellow Polocrosse Enthusiasts,

This is our second broadcast about the Masters tournament, and we believe over the last two months we have dealt with all  potential obstacles that may arise. The major areas are addressed in this newsletter while the relevant attachments contain the detail.

The Masters will be a division of the Goodtimes Polocrosse Club’s annual tournament. It will be a lot of fun for all of you and a time for you to enjoy the games and catch up with your friends. The club not only wants you to enjoy your stay in Florida, but also wants to continue this tournament as an annual event.

The tournament will be run under APA rules and regulations which are posted on the association website (www.americanpolocrosse.org)    , and we would appreciate if all foreign players would read these rules in advance.  This division will not be run under formal international test rules and it’s accompanying horse pools rules etc.,   The tournament has a tournament committee and a non-playing tournament umpire who is nominated by the APA Umpire Panel. While games will be refereed by two field umpires, any arbitration that may be required will be addressed by the tournament committee and the tournament umpire.

Format:

We have had such a wonderful response and expression of interest that we have had to revamp the format from a sectional to a team play off.  If everyone enters that has shown interest we will have an eight team (including five internationals)  A level bracket in addition to the lower levels in this division.  

Masters can choose to enter as a team in the Masters A division, or as a section in any other division of the tournament.  Incomplete team entries will be completed by an experienced Senior player, who is not playing in the Master’s A division.

With this entry number, we have exceeded our ability to mount friends and have proceeded with a horse hire programme.  Horses will be hired from the Villages polo community  and from US polocrosse players. The polo horses were played at the 2006 Goodtimes tournament and favourable  player comment was received. These horses will be fit and currently playing in 6-8 goal leagues. US polocrosse players have been asked to provide additional fit playable mounts at the same hire cost ($500 for A and $400 for other)such that the entry fee in this division will be the same across all players. These horses will be available on a first come first served basis. Those players not requiring to hire a mount will not pay the hire fee. Additionally those players bringing extra playing horses will receive a check of $500 (or $400) at the end of the tournament.

While polocrosse horses will be stabled at the grounds with their owners, polo horses and grooms will be delivered the day of play. Riders will be asked to provide after game care and cool out, and umpires will be vigilant about dangerous riding calls, and whip and spur use.  Practice chukkers have been scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday prior to the tournament (see itinerary). All hired horses will be available for tack fitting, player allocation and practice on Friday.  We have appointed a Horse Manager – a “Go To” person – for this division who will help with all matters equine.

The US polocrosse community has been asked to lend additional tack, saddle pads, bell boots and wraps, and equipment to this event so that it can be a player’s choice as to whether he brings his saddle to the tournament.  All horses will be ridden in either the owner’s bridle, or a gag and German martingale (if necessary) and leg protection (bell boots and leg wraps/sports medicine boots). 

Players will need to provide team jerseys, reins and personal equipment (whip, spurs, helmet, knee guards etc).

The tournament draw  will be available at registration Friday evening. All games will be 4 x 8 minute chukkers.

Accomodation.

As previously stated, the club can accommodate 12-18 players on a first come first served basis. A list of motels and costs has been attached.

Payment.

Payment can be made either by check or via the internet. To repeat, international players have a 30 day grace period of play before being required to join the APA, so membership fees will NOT apply for international guests. 

To avoid penalties, the entry fee must be received by January 1st, and the horse hire fee must be received by February 1st .

As the majority of the mounts will be sourced from outside the polocrosse community, we do not have any flexibility with the due date for horse hire – horses will not be sourced for players who are not paid up..

The Goodtimes Polocrosse club will email a receipt as soon as payment has been received.

Attachments to this broadcast.

1. Entry Form.  Every rider must complete an entry form. Please mark your rating, or  your last / current playing level.

2  Itinerary. Please check off those events you would like to attend, and how many in your party will be attending.

3. Accomodation info

4. Horse Hire…Owner’s and visitor’s responsibilities etc..

Liz Gleeson - APA International Liason