Polocrosse
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2014 Australian
National Polocrosse Championships
Abbott Grills has won his fourth
successive Senior Mens title with New
South Wales on his way to winning
four awards at the 2014 Polocrosse
Nationals at Fred’s Pass, Darwin.
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Article by Gerard Walsh • Photos by Cathy Finlayson
A
bbott won the awards for Champion Male Player of
the Carnival, Best Horse & Rider in the Senior Mens
division, Champion Australian Stock Horse in the Senior
Mens with BERRAGOON PERCUSSION and the Max
Walters Trophy for Overall Champion Horse of the Carnival.
In the Senior Womens competition, Kojonup player Kristy
Crook won the Champion Female Player award after her fourth
national title victory in open polocrosse with Western Australia.
Originally from Guyra, Abbott has lived in Wagga Wagga, New
South Wales for the past five years where he runs a livestock transport
business. His wife Carlie Grills was part of the New South Wales
Womens team in Darwin. A member of the Albury Holbrook club,
Abbott first borrowed BERRAGOON PERCUSSION from his uncle
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1. (l-r): Farrann Mathie (NSW) riding ROSEBROOK SHAUNA, Jess
O’Brien (NSW), Jade Collins (QLD) in the Under 21yrs Womens Final.
2. Kelly Allen (VIC) and Vanessa Freeman (WA) riding
ROSERIDGE SHADOW in the Senior Womens Final
3. (l-r): Laura Dempster (NSW) riding RAJAAR REMINGTON, Sydnee Doolan (QLD) riding
GILGURRY SHIMMER - HSH, Kylie Gould (QLD) riding CIRCLEY REBA, Kristi Burns
(QLD), Sally Thompson (NSW) riding GLENDORA CATTLEMAN in the Senior Mixed Final.
4. Abbott Grills (NSW) riding BERRAGOON PERCUSSION. Photo: Leo McGuire
5. Abbott, Charlie and Sara Grills with the Champion Horse
of the Carnival, BERRAGOON PERCUSSION
6. Trent Collins (QLD) riding KATANDRA WILLOW on attack in
the Senior Mens Final against New South Wales.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
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7. Queenslanders Beth Hafey (left) riding WALLA WILLA QUICK and Jordan McGrath
(right) riding HAYDON APOLLO - HSH in the Under 16yrs Girls Final.
8. (l-r) Byron Davison (QLD), Tyler Mortimer (NSW), Matt Taylor (QLD) riding RONOLA GYPSY ROSE, Grant
Carroll riding DAWILGA KL, Murray Scott (NSW) riding JAYLOCK GEMINI - HSH in the Under 21yrs Mens Final
and aunt, Charlie and Sara Grills, when his
own horse was ruled out of the Nationals in
Warwick in 2012 and is still riding the mare.
‘Sara breeds horses with a lot of
agility,’ he said. ‘Percussion is extremely
quick off the mark but not over fierce.
The mare is very tough but easy to
pull up. She is young enough for
another six years of top polocrosse.’
Abbott first played in the Nationals in
2002 at Darwin as a junior and moved up
to Intermediates before making his debut
at Senior National level in 2008 in Perth.
New South Wales have won at Perth,
Ballarat, Warwick and Darwin in the past
four Nationals with Abbott in the team. Greg
Davidge, Chris Anderson, Lance Anderson
and Will Weston have also been part of all
four winning New South Wales teams.
‘We are a good group of blokes who
have learnt how to win,’ he said. ‘The final
against Queensland in Darwin this year is
the toughest game we have ever played.’
While BERRAGOON PERCUSSION is
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Abbott’s main horse, he has younger horses
in work and sometimes rests Percussion
and plays on a different horse at a carnival.
He drove trucks for a time in the
Northern Territory and said he knew what
to expect when he headed to Darwin.
‘July is a great time of the year in
the Northern Territory,’ Abbott said.
New South Wales won the Senior Mens
final against Queensland in a game played
in front of a crowd of 4,000 at Fred’s Pass.
Queensland led 9-6 at the end of the second
chukka, then 13-9 after chukka 3 before
New South Wales levelled at 13-all with four
unanswered goals in the fourth chukka.
New South Wales led by three after the
fifth chukka before Queensland scored 4-1
in the sixth to level at 18-all. The defending
champions then led by one after chukka
7 before kicking away to a 26-21 victory.
New South Wales was again the
dominant state at the Nationals winning
five of the eight championships and
the U12 sub-junior exhibition.
Western Australian star and Best Female
Player of the Carnival Kristy Crook won her
fourth Senior Womens title at the Nationals
playing in a team which only included one
player backing up from the 2012 Runner
Up finish in Warwick, Suzette Thomas.
Kristy hails from Kojonup, Western
Australia and works for a construction
company in the mining industry. She
enjoyed the long trek to Darwin for
the nationals where her group paid
up to $1.97 per litre for diesel but she
didn’t keep a tally of the total cost.
‘We took five days to drive to
Darwin with the horses and six
days to come home,’ she said.
Kristy said her father Alan
Crook introduced her and brother
Waynne to the sport.
‘Polocrosse is a family sport
where you meet great people and get
the chance to travel,’ she said.
While her father hasn’t played for
Kojonup in the past two years, her brother
Waynne, his wife Pip and their two children
all play the game. She won the best player
award riding MELVILLE MIDNIGHT MAGIC,
a six year old mare she bought from Gerald
O’Brien in Millers Forest, New South Wales.
The horse was used for cattle work in
New South Wales but Kristy didn’t waste
time converting Magic to polocrosse and
the win at the Nationals came in the first
carnival in the second season for Magic.
She said the fact Western Australia won
the Senior Womens title with only one player
backing up from two years ago showed the
depth of women’s polocrosse in the west.
‘As long as the girls keep their horses,
we can do well in the future. There will
be players from the Mixed team and
others who didn’t play in Darwin keen to
make the team next time,’ Kristy said.
Western Australia held two training
camps before the Nationals. They beat
defending champions New South Wales
16-12 in a women’s round game and then
overcame the Victorian challenge in the final.
Kristy and her teammates led 5-1
after the first chukka in the Senior
Womens final and were never headed
on the way to a 27-15 victory.
It was the fourth title for Kristy Crook
at open level. She won at Darwin in 2002,
Albury 2004, Perth 2008 and Darwin
again this year. In 11 national appearances,
she has won six titles in all grades.
New South Wales won the Masters Mixed
final in Darwin 24-15 from Western Australia.
New South Wales beat Queensland 26-15 in
the final of the Senior Mixed and also won the
Under 21yrs Womens and the Under 16yrs
Junior Boys. Best Horse & Rider in the Senior
Mixed was Trent Mortimer (NSW) riding
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9. (l-r) Sam Finlayson on ROSEBROOK HARMONY, William
Taylor on TAYLORMADE MADONNA, Joe Walmsley on
EFFICIENT, Dougal Strahley in the Under 16yrs Boys Final.
10. (l-r) Laura Dempster (NSW) riding RAJAAR REMINGTON,
Sally Thompson (NSW) riding GLENDORA CATTLEMAN, Kylie
Gould (QLD) riding CIRCLEY REBA in the Senior Womens Final
11. Western Australian Senior Womens team before the final
12. New South Wales Under 12yrs team after their finals win
13. Pat French (NSW) and Brad Walmsley (NSW) riding CAWDELLS
JEWEL in the Senior Mixed Final against Queensland.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
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14. Lizzie Lyster riding KILDARE QUILL in the Senior Womens Final. Photo: Leo McGuire
15. Julia Stuart riding Gary and Kay Stevenson’s SPRINGSIDE BIRDIE won
Champion Australian Stock Horse in the Under 12yrs division.
16. Kaylene Wilson riding BURLINGS ALLSHOT - HSH won the Champion
Australian Stock Horse in the Masters Mixed division.
17. Lucy Grills riding BERRAGOON RAVERS and Rachel Stringfellow on NOONAMAH REDRAW
18. Byron Davison in the Under 21yrs Mens Final
19. Jock Grills (NSW) with TRENTON BO DEREK and Rhys Mortimer (NSW) with
GLENMORE PSHIP DESERT STORM after winning the Under 16yrs Boys Final
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20. Dougal Strahleys, Anthony Wells on HAWTHORNE
SHANIA, Rhys Mortimer, Jock Grills on TRENTON BO DEREK
21. Ryle Waugh (NSW) riding EMARILLON OBSESSION,
Lauren Stephenson (NSW) riding TOPRAIL SHADOW,
Grace Halsted (NSW) in the Under 21yrs Womens Final
22. The winning New South Wales Masters Mixed
team (l-r): Charlie Grills riding BERRAGOON WAVES,
Graham Wilson riding YOWADA CLASS, Terry Donnelly,
Michael Gorman, Wendy Barlow, Jenny Donnelly riding
BALLET, Jane Melbourne riding JAYLOCK SERENA,
Kaylene Wilson riding BURLINGS ALLSHOT - HSH.
23. Marlow Meares (NSW) riding in the CARRIGANS JILLY
in the Under 12yrs Sub-Juniors Final against Queensland.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
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2014 Polocrosse Nationals
7th-13th July - Fred’s Pass, Darwin NT
Masters Mixed Competition - John Thompson Trophy
New South Wales 24 def. Western Australia 15
Best Horse & Rider: Michael Gorman (NSW)
Champion ASH: BURLINGS ALLSHOT - HSH (NABINABAH EASY
GUN - HSH/COOL HONEY - HSH), Graham Wilson (NSW)
Champion Overall Masters Horse: Michael Gorman
Under 16 Junior Boys Competition - Sam Irwin Trophy
New South Wales 19 def. Queensland 17
Best Horse & Rider: EFFICIENT (WAYERRI PROSPECT
- HSH/Johnnys Dimity), Joe Wamsley (NSW)
Champion ASH: TRENTON BO DEREK (ROSEBROOK
FALUTE - HSH/EDENHOPE BUNNY), Jock Grills (NSW)
Under 16 Junior Girls Competition
Queensland 19 def. New South Wales 16
Best Horse & Rider: HAYDON APOLLO - HSH
(HAYDON NIGHTWATCH - HSH/HAYDON SUN
ROSE - HSH), Jordan McGrath (QLD)
Champion ASH: HAYDON APOLLO - HSH (HAYDON NIGHTWATCH
- HSH/HAYDON SUN ROSE - HSH), Jordan McGrath (QLD)
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Under 21 Mens Competition - Fay Clear Memorial Trophy
Queensland 33 def. New South Wales 20
Best Horse & Rider: DAWILGA KL (STAR BRIGADOON
- HSH/CHALLABAR JEDDA), Grant Carroll (QLD)
Champion ASH: DAWILGA KL (STAR BRIGADOON HSH/CHALLABAR JEDDA), Grant Carroll (QLD)
24. Kristy Crook riding MELVILLE MIDNIGHT MAGIC
in the Senior Womens Final against Victoria.
25. Brett Woodward riding Leonie Buchan’s MIDLANDS
ARENA CADE, Trent Mortimer on Christie Hunt’s
THISTLEHILL FLINT in the Senior Mixed Final.
26. The winning NSW Senior Mens team (l-r): Coach,
Scott Welsh, Manager, Donna Weston, Ben Manwaring,
Abbott Grills, Chris Anderson, Mitchell Anderson,
Will Weston, Arch Anderson, Greg Davidge.
27. The commentary team (l-r): Jim
Callinan, Harry Kirk, Doug Dodds
GLENMORE PSHIP DESERT STORM. Sydnee Doolan, of Queensland,
won Best Australian Stock Horse with GILGURRY SHIMMER - HSH.
Queensland won the Under 21yrs Mens and Under 16yrs Junior Girls.
New South Wales Polocrosse Association President, Laughlin
Ross was extremely happy with the success of the players from
his state. He put some of the success down to how their players
looked after their horses in the hot conditions at a carnival where the
break between chukkas was increased from two to four minutes.
‘We had big fans and misting gear to cool our horses between
chukkas, most teams had some method of cooling their horses.
The fields at the Nationals at Fred’s Pass held up particularly well.’
For Polocrosse Association of Australia president Gill
Mathie, all states at the Nationals lifted their play in 2014.
‘You could see the benefit of our youth and junior development
program at the Nationals. Many players have gone from the
development program to Junior, Intermediate and Open teams at the
Nationals,’ he said. ‘The sportsmanship at the Nationals was great.’
Northern Territory Polocrosse Association president
Paul Myburgh said his association received praise from
every state on the success of the Nationals.
‘There was good representation from the Australian Stock
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Polocrosse:
A truly Australian Made Sport
Polocrosse Australia
Karin Stockman
Phone: 1300 363 722
www.polocrosse.org.au
Western Australia
Kim Maguire
Phone: 08 9755 9806
www.pawa.asn.au
New South Wales
Melanie Kelly
Mobile: 0407 207 649
www.nswpolocrosse.com.au
South Australia
Jodie-Ann Hochuli
Phone: 08 8388 0065
www.polocrossesa.org.au
Queensland
Hayley Carroll
Phone: 1300 883 339
www.polocrosse.com.au
Victoria
Lisa Baker
Mobile: 0408 832 728
www.polocrossevic.com.au
Tasmania
Summah Greenhill
0419 758076
www.pxtas.org.au
Northern Territory
Brenton Ascoli
0418 898 973
www.ntpolocrosse.com.au
Under 21 Womens Competition - Pam Coulson Memorial Trophy
New South Wales 20 def. Queensland 17
Best Horse & Rider: ROSEBROOK SHAUNA (ROSEBROOK
SHANTUNG/MACHEKE SHEENA - HSH), Farran Mathie (NSW)
Champion ASH: BERRAGOON RAVERS (Night
Shift/Social Whirl), Lucy Grills (NSW)
Horse Society which donated prizes in all grades,’ he said. ‘We
had help during the week from 150 volunteers, the big screen
was phenomenal, especially for elderly people in the crowd.’
‘Overall the Nationals were a fantastic success and there has
been a lot of interest from prospective new players who watched
the Nationals and from sponsors keen to be involved in the sport.’
On the field, Northern Territory beat Victoria 11-10 in an
Intermediate Womens game and lost 19-18 to Victoria in the
Senior Mixed in two of their best performances of the Nationals.
In a good sign for the future, the hosts beat Victoria by one in
an U12 exhibition game and lost by one to Queensland.
‘We realise we have to travel more to expose our Northern
Territory players to wider competition,’ Myburgh said.
The carnival was opened by Northern Territory Deputy
Chief Minister Dave Tollner with Attorney General and Minister
for Justice John Elferink on horseback as he led the parade
of teams at the opening ceremony. Northern Territory Chief
Minister Adam Giles was at the Nationals on finals weekend.
The Albury Holbrook club will host the 2016
Polocrosse Nationals in Albury, New South Wales.
Senior Mixed Competition - Judy Williams Memorial Trophy
New South Wales 26 def. Queensland 15
Best Horse & Rider: GLENMORE PSHIP DESERT
STORM, Trent Mortimer (NSW)
Champion ASH: GILGURRY SHIMMER - HSH (MINSTRIL II
- HSH/RIVERVIEW SHINE - HSH), Sydnee Doolan (QLD)
Senior Womens Competition - Marjorie Hirst Memorial Trophy
Western Australia 27 def. Victoria 15
Best Horse & Rider: Suzette Thomas (WA)
Champion ASH: KILDARE QUILL (MINSTRIL II HSH/ASHA ROBIN), Lizzie Lyster (WA)
Senior Mens Championship - Caltex Shield
New South Wales 26 def. Queensland 21
Best Horse & Rider: BERRAGOON PERCUSSION (Furnir/
BERRAGOON TUNE), Abbott Grills (NSW)
Champion ASH: BERRAGOON PERCUSSION (Furnir/
BERRAGOON TUNE), Abbott Grills (NSW)
Overall Awards
Champion Female Player: Kristy Crook (WA) riding
MELVILLE MIDNIGHT MAGIC (OBRIENS ET
TECHNICIAN/MARSHDALE ROMONA)
Champion Male Player: Abbott Grills (NSW)
riding BERRAGOON PERCUSSION
Overall Champion Horse - Max Walters Trophy: BERRAGOON
PERCUSSION (Furnir/BERRAGOON TUNE), Abbott Grills (NSW)
Narellan & Tamworth
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
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HARD WORKING BOOTS
FOR working on the land
(l-r): Jim, Carlie, Abbott & Charlie Grills at Tennant Creek on the way to Darwin.
Photo: Andrews Meares
That’s Time
With the excitement of a nationals,
When the adrenalin won’t stop
The cream of Aussie Polo X
Has ventured to the top,
Now it’s not about the individuals,
But everybody out there saw,
Matty Bowman clearly best afield,
In the Tug of war
There’s winners and there’s losers
But in two years they’ll be back
And fight it out in Albury
Down that well worn nationals track
The weathers almost perfect,
For what we’ve seen unfold,
The fields are a picture,
And the Bundys icy cold
But today’s about the finals,
Put your horses to the test
Sit back it’s nearly over
And watch the very best
And you’ll hear the hoof beats clearly
And you’ll remember all the class
Of another nationals finished
On the fields at Fred’s Pass
Every Nationals has its moments,
It doesn’t matter where you’ve been.
The highlights and the lowlights,
The things you’ve have never seen,
The Allen girls as tough as nails,
Netty Radford still a force,
Erin Nesbitt in complete control
Katie Jolly’s Brilliant horse,
Then when the trophies are all packed away,
With the long drive home to start
Perhaps a little bit of Darwin,
Just might have touched your heart
On the field we saw it all,
Water bubbling up through holes,
B.J. Blitz e’m out the back,
And Wayne Woods throwing Goals
Lizzy Lister smooth as silk,
The class of Kirsty Crooks,
And what you get from Suzette Thomas
Is exactly as it looks
By Peter Dowsley
Jacko bowling smooth as silk
See the ball and just attack it,
Then try and knock his wife out
On the sideline with his racquet
Justin Hafeys little mare
Trent Collins running hot,
With Oh Ah Paul McGrath,
Calling every shot
And when Troy Henry graced the field
With his renowned skill well honed
His underpants, though slightly stained,
Was the only thing he owned
Will Weston flying out the back
Greg Davidge knows the drills
The Andersons as quick as cats
The skill of Abbot Grills,
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AU S T R A L I A N S TOC K HOR S E JOU R N A L