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Horseball gets the ball rolling in Australia

4/10/2009 2:56:00 PM THE mention of Horseball probably brings about a few quizzical expressions but that might be about to change.

The sport will be one of several to be showcased at the upcoming National Equine and Livestock Exhibition (NELE) being held at Tamworth’s Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre (AELEC).

It is believed to be the first time Horseball will be played in Australia. On Saturday a demonstration practice session was held.

Horseball is described as a merger of , rugby and and is very popular in Europe, with its origins tracing back to about the 1930s in .

It is played on horseback using a soccer ball with six handles around it, which the players grab onto to pick the ball up off the ground.

The aim is to shoot the ball through a high net, which bears a resemblance to a ring, turned on its side, and larger in size.

Teams of four have to pass the ball between three different sets of hands before they can shoot for goal and no player can hold the ball for more than 10 seconds.

“It’s fast and furious action,” AELEC manager Mike Rowland said.

Rowland was the umpire for Saturday’s session, and said the sport would be a good feature for NELE.

It first came to his attention quite inadvertently at some Christmas drinks.

“We (a few tentpeggers) were at Barry Biffin’s place and he said ‘you’ll never believe what I saw on YouTube’,” Rowland said.

Their interest was piqued by what they saw.

“From there we started to learn a bit,” Rowland said.

They then got their hands on a set of rules and went from there.

“It’s fun and it’s different, and it’s challenging,” Australian tentpegging representative and player Grant Biffin said.

The sport combines elements of tentpegging and polocrosse and Biffin said he was enjoying it the more he played it.

“We hope we can make something of it,” he said.

They have even been able to secure a sponsor with Medivet coming on board.

Biffin said the biggest challenge he had found was getting down for the ball, although having a that was good at following the line did help.

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It's fun, different and challenging said Grant Biffin as he took a time out from a Horseball practice session at AELEC on Saturday. Photo: Geoff

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