Over the winter I spent 3 months in Canada and part of the time was spent with the Foothills Polocrosse Club.

Polocrosse in Canada is limited to three clubs around the Calgary area in Alberta. They are a very social and passionate group of people and I had a great time both during play and off the field. Most weekends are run as chukka weekends with the most players at one weekend being 42, so not large numbers but very passionate.

The first weekend I arrived in Canada I was made very welcome and even though they had horse problems (injuries etc) I did get to play in a lower grade which was great and I helped the players I was with. They had a very international theme that first weekend with players from New Zealand (me) Australia, South Africa, Ireland and America playing. The Canadian Polocrosse Association had payed for an aussie to come over an coach for the season and this was proving very helpful along with the various other countries giving tips on the field. All play is done in very high spirits from A grade to the beginners.

I was made very welcome by Pam Bergen and her family and stayed at her place near Okotoks for two weeks riding horses and practising with players. A lot of players board their horses there so its popular meeting place for practises, riding and of course socialising. During the first week I visited the famous Calgary Stampede (twice) and had awesome seats for the rodeo finals and the chuckwagon races, thanks to my new polocrosse friends.

I attended the Nationals in September and had a great time; I didn’t play but did take part in the ‘tea and biscuits’ game on the Sunday. This is usually for the adult beginners that don’t want to play in the main competition. I was made to play left handed (as a handicap) which proved hilarious. Just trying to direct my horse right handed proved interesting let alone trying to use the racket.

Outside of polocrosse I spent a lot of time with a lease rider, checking cattle on huge lease land areas. One of the ‘paddocks’ was 13 000 acres and we had to find and bring in 5 bulls from this area. Great fun and loads of miles travelled. It was hugely different from home. The land is so flat they have a saying; if your dog runs away you can watch it for three days. There are antelope, coyotes, owls and elk which are great watch while looking for cattle, but the gopher holes freaked me out a little.

I have made some great new friends and recommend anyone travelling in Canada to look them up; they are very friendly and accommodating.

Kara Goddard