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UK/US Veterans & Masters Polocrosse Exchange

2025 Outbound Team USA Plays the UKPA GNT

July 2-7, 2025, Edwinstowe, England

The team of eight American Veterans & Masters polocrosse players, are in place for the reciprocal half of the USA and United Kingdom Veteran & Masters tour exchange.

Team USA Players, family members, and supporters will travel to Edwinstowe, England, for the United Kingdom Polocrosse Association, Great Northern Tournament (GNT), July 4-6, 2025, hosted and horsed by the UK V&M organizer, Wayne Henning, and his UK team. Connie Geary, Sarah Broadhurst, David Firmin, Jennifer Carpenter, Scott Carpenter, will revisit UK friends on the pitch accompanied by the addition of American masters players Kristy Gusick, James Lindamood, and Amos Underwood. Amos, the veteran player from Colorado, will replace Ryan Murphy, the 2024 V&M team captain, who is disappointed to withdraw due to injury.

“A rather lovely mansion very close to the tournament venue that can house 14 guests or more with the south wing for a very reasonable rate,” says Wayne, has been offered by the tournament organizer. Edwinstowe is adjacent to the Sherwood Forest of storied Robin Hood. Player families and supporters each have plans to extend the vacation before or after the tournament to visit with polocrosse friends, family, and see more of the British Isles.

English polocrosse player, coach and 2019 World Cup Umpire, Wayne Henning, describes Veteran & Masters (V&M, veteran players over 40 and some masters well over 50) polocrosse as “Sunday Pub Rugby”, in an hour long phone conversation with Jennifer back in early January 2024. The fun and challenge of polocrosse is “you are only as good as your ability to make weakest link the best they can be”. “Keen” on this exchange since before the pandemic lockdown, he said “ We are hoping you guys (team USA) will be bringing a V&M team here to the UK in 2025 so that we can return the hospitality.”

United Kingdom and American Veterans & Masters Tour at Blue Ridge Brawl Tournament 2024

August 16-18, 2024, Round Hill Virginia

Heartland Polocrosse Club, a local club of the American Polocrosse Association (APA), hosted seven V&M, United Kingdom Polocrosse Association (UKPA) players coordinated by UK Master Player Coordinator, Wayne Henning, and Heartland Polocrosse Club owner, Jennifer Carpenter, to participate in the Blue Ridge Brawl Tournament & UK V&M US Tour, last August 16 – 18, 2024, in Round Hill Virginia.

The APA call for V&M tour players yielded a few eager takers and fewer horses early in 2024, when APA Player Development dropped support of the exchange for Veterans & Masters. Connie Geary, Sarah Broadhurst, David Firmin, Ryan Murphy, Robbie Noiles, Paul Repenning, Jennifer Carpenter and Scott Carpenter fielded team USA and with the help of Heartland Polocrosse Club mustered up enough horses to host.

The UK group of friends, Simon Paynter, Jo Paynter, Kim Stevens, Gill James, Tim James, Wayne Henning, and Kate Henning traveled from the UK for polocrosse, making friends, and memories. Horses, tack, accommodations were matched and planned with the best social play experience in mind.

The UK team rented the Bluemont Belle, an historic county home minutes from the field. American team mates and supporters traveled cross county from Colorado, Alabama, and Connecticut. Robbie, David, Brooke, and Cameron brought tack, expertise, and energy to do the scheduling and field set up before the rest of the team arrived.

Before trying out horses loaned by American horse hosts, Jo had a surprise planned for Simon. The team of friends and supporters celebrated the UK polocrosse couple, Simon and Jo, “retying the knot on the pitch” Thursday, followed by a reception at The Branch, for bowling, food, drinks, and, of course, wedding cake.

Friday afternoon V&M players mixed teams for a social match trying out their mounts and teammates. The US and UK V&M players eagerly donated their polocrosse experience field side coaching the two youth teams and rookie adult team matches.

Back in the saddle, Saturday afternoon team V&M team USA pulled out a tight come back over UK, thanks to veteran Ryan Murphy closing the goal gap run up by UK ladies veteran, Kimmy. Sunday midday a social match was followed by Awards and gifts of thanks.

The group of UK friends and family explored central Virginia to Kentucky before returning for an "until we meet again cook out" later in the week at HPC before flying back to England.

Blue Ridge Brawl and Veterans & Masters Social Tour 2024 Slideshow

Considered one of the best all time players, in the 2019 World Cup of Polocrosse, Jason won two Best Player and two Best Horse awards and the UK finished 5th, after which he decided to retire from national squads, although he remains the highest rated UK-based player within the UKPA.

Jason Webb Clinics 2024

HPC hosted Jason Webb for Horse Starting and Problem Solving Clinic sessions, October 29-31, 2024.

Tuesday—Thursday, October 29—31, 2024, horse owners worked with Jason and their horse for three consecutive days or one day scheduled session(s) to advance the young horse's training or address problems with your horse.

With a reputation built through word of mouth, UK-based Australian, Jason Webb, is a leading horse trainer specialising in starting young horses under saddle and solving all behavioural and ridden problems. Working with international riders of all disciplines, renowned studs, as well as recreational riders desiring a safe, confident and responsive riding horse, Jason’s skill, patience and deep understanding of horse behaviour has made him one of the UK’s most sought after horse trainers.

Jason grew up on his family’s 4,000 acre sheep and cattle property at the foot of the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales, Australia. Described as having “being born in the saddle,” Jason and his three siblings spent their formative years gaining an all round equestrian education working the farm from horseback, and competing in all disciplines. With a passion for racing, Jason’s father, Doug bred Thoroughbreds for the local racetrack and it wasn’t rare for these horses to be retrained for various disciplines alongside their homebred Australian Stock Horses.

In his early teens, Jason was taught to start horses using the same methods handed down through generations of horsemen in his family. Having developed an interest in this area of work, Jason spent time with some excellent trainers in Australia where he improved his understanding of horse behaviour and remedial work with ‘problem’ horses. Having competed at the highest level at polocrosse in Australia, he travelled to the UK to play and coach but became sought after to start young horses in the South East. He quickly gained a reputation for producing calm, well-mannered horses, and for having an ability to turn around horses with severe behavioural and ridden problems.

In 2002, Jason settled in the UK and set up his horse training business at Risebridge Farm, the family farm of his future wife Penny, where for over fifteen years, Jason and his team handled over 200 horses a year. Now, Jason trains a more limited number of horses from Olympians and international competitors, studs and leisure riders nationwide and he regularly receives referrals from vets, farriers, equine dentists and other equestrian professionals. He is supported by long-term sponsors, Toggi Clothing, Equilibrium Products, Champion Safety and Equinexceed.

Alongside running camps and clinics at Risebridge Farm, Jason consults and teaches nationwide and internationally. He is in demand for educational demonstrations, performing at Your Horse Live, The BHS Welfare Conference, The Horsemanship Showcase and The Pony Club Instructors Conference. In 2018, Jason was a guest judge at the Dublin Horse Show alongside Lucinda Green and Leslie Law. He also contributes to national magazines and equestrian websites, and blogged for Horse & Hound.

Jason also has a popular online horse training program, Your Horsemanship, which enables members to access an extensive video library of his training methods and interact with him via webinars, Q&A’s and demos.

Horse owner, rider, and/or trainer with their horse of any discipline and auditors were welcome. Participants paid $350.00 for 3 day clinic or $150.00 per single day includes scheduled hour long session including lunch.

UK-based Australian, Jason Webb, is a leading horse trainer specialising in starting young horses under saddle and solving all behavioural and ridden problems. Learn more at Your Horsemanship

Jason Webb polocrosse Clinic 2024

Horsemanship and strategy for polocrosse with world class polocrosse competitor, coach, and horse trainer Jason Webb visited Heartland Polocrosse Club, November 1-3, 2024, offering a weekend Polocrosse Clinic. Earlier in the week, Jason conducted young horse starting and horse problem solving sessions.

Polocrosse players who can ride independently in the open on an appropriate mount, and have an understanding of the game and basic racket skills attended. Participants trailered in daily or camp and hot pen field side. Mounts were available on site for loan. The 2 1/2 day clinic fee was $250.00 per rider.

JASON's POLOCROSSE CV: Jason Webb played for New South Wales as a Junior and U21, captaining the U21’s to an Australia Nationals win in 1998, and playing with and against the top Australian players of that time. His family have been heavily involved in polocrosse, with his father playing for New South Wales, and his sister and brother in law, Sandra and Will Weston playing for Australia on numerous occasions and World Cups.

Jason spent a season in Zimbabwe, before traveling to the UK to play for, and coach, the newly formed Kent Target Polocrosse Club in 1999. Since then, the club has won 10 National A grade and Club titles, with Jason winning numerous Best Player and Best Horse Awards.

Jason qualified to play for the UK in 2009, and won Best UK Player and Best Horse in a Test Series against South Africa, before playing for the UK in the 2011 World Cup, where his horse won Champion Men’s Horse.

In 2013 he played in the Quadrangular between UK, South Africa, Australia and Zambia, before acting as Player-Coach at the 2015 World Cup, where the UK finished 4th.

In 2019 World Cup, Jason won two Best Player and two Best Horse awards and the UK finished 5th, after which he decided to retire from national squads, although he remains the highest rated UK-based player within the UKPA.

Jason has also played in the Zimbabwean Open, three South Africa Opens (winning one), and the Silver Spur in Australia.

Jason has coached UK Men’s, Ladies and World Cup teams, his KTPC club teams to Nationals successes and the German team. He holds a Level 3 Coaching Qualification and Centre10 Applied Psychology for Equestrian Coaches Advanced Program. He enjoys coaching all players from juniors and newcomers to international players.

Jason’s horsemanship skills and understanding of horse behaviour has enabled him to train and play some of the top horses in the UK, and is able to get the most out of pool horses on tours.

HIgHlight of Summer, Polocrosse Camp 2024

Heartland Polocrosse Club hosted the annual club camp featuring an accomplished guest polocrosse coach. Inspired by rider success from organizing annual Pony Club camp every June where we "do it all, 3 rides a day, overnight" since 2012, Jennifer was encouraged to "do what we do best", offer polocrosse camp!

Friday afternoon, move in began for campers who traveled a distance from Western New York state to attend. Heart to Heart Morgans Pony Club Riding Center heard about the camp at the polocrosse tournament in southern Maryland when they were teamed up with HPC riders.

The Saturday thru Monday scheduled appealed to adults and young riders, short enough to endure the summer heat and get back to work Tuesday, long enough to make new friends and "Up their Game" with Coach Emma.

American Polocrosse Association Certified Coach and International Player, Emma Strider, developed her riding base and HM skills in Pony Club with her family, and has been playing polocrosse for 20 years. She is current Team USA Coach for the 2024 U16 Australia Tour, Test Match and APA YDP Camp in Alabama.

Morning mounted sessions start at 8:00 AM in groups by ability in the arena and on the polocrosse field offering instruction in practical dressage, riding in the open, team sport riding and racket skills for polocrosse.
Horse management is practiced in tacking up, wrapping, and cool down turn backs with each ride. Care for the team competition horse and considerations for the level of care expected and judged at USPC Championships is pointed out and practiced daily, as always, in a Riding Center barn that practices the USPC standards of proficiency in horse care.

Saturday midday break was a field trip to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center Open House, Demonstrations in the new Indoor Arena and Complimentary Lunch, Leesburg.
Presentations seen included Lameness Evaluation: Flexion Exam with Lameness Locator; Health Evaluation: Equine Temperature, Pulse, Heart Rate; Rehabilitation: Horse Stretching Exercises; Upper Airway: Dynamic Endoscope, and the Paul Goodness Podiatry Center.

Sunday afternoon skills come together in a Polocrosse Play Day of continuous chukkas of rotating teams. The evening ended with a potluck cookout.

Jamie Lindamood HPC member and local legend, there to get in the game of polocrosse on days 1 and 2, turned the instructor Monday, sharing his lifetime of eventing experience, a Pony Club traditional A. He guided riders in a cross country jumping lesson. Then the group went on a trail ride. The afternoon group rode in the arena building confidence and balance with jumping grid work.

YOU can "Get In the Game" or "Up Your Game" at camp next summer with Heartland Polocrosse Club!

Check the calendar on this website for events. Next spring register early to secure a reservation and pony.

All ages and abilities, adult riders, Pony Club members and non-members, are invited. Participants under 18 must have a parent or designated chaperone on site.

Parents and designated chaperones on site are asked to assist with serving meals, horse holding, and driving to offsite activities.

Campers can trailer in daily or camp and hot pen your own, borrowed or leased mount. tack, and equipment appropriate for your current ability; properly conditioned, groomed, and shod. HPC horses onsite are also available to share for camp.

Camp is a highlight and discounted for HPC members at $150.00 per riders who bring their own horse. Or $200.00 for HPC member riders including the horse.

Camp fees for guests or non-HPC member riders is $300.00. Supply your own horse and equipment.

CONTACT HOST ORGANIZER: Jennifer Carpenter 703-475-7832 heartlandpolocrosseclubva@gmail.com

Kelsi Brings her Best Game

Polocrosse Hosts International Guests

Riders dove deeper into their game during practices and a 3 day clinic with Kelsi from Geraldton, Western Australia at Heartland Polocrosse Club for 2 weeks of June 2023.

Kelsi was hosted by American families during her weeks long stay seeing the USA, riding horses, and playing in American Polocrosse Association sanctioned tournaments.

Traveling to countries like United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and France where polocrosse is played and being hosted by a polocrosse playing family is common place. Your riding, your can-do attitude, your sportsmanship, and your work ethic in all things that need to be done wins you a ticket to the world. International Polocrosse associations are eager to place Americans and the American Polocrosse Association Player Development Program facilitates invitations for individuals and for select team tours.

Kelsi started her American experience in North Carolina. She immediately takes on barn, farm and house chores and teaching riders of all ages where ever she goes. Playing in the Carolina Polocrosse Club practices; competing at the Polocrosse in the Pines Tournament culminated her stay in the Carolinas along with riding out on summer hunt trail rides in the reserve, attending a baseball game, and more southern hospitality hosted the Kimbroughs and Lynches.

Kelsi trailered home with the Carpenters to Round Hill VA. Daily barn chores and tournament cleanup and recovery for the next tournament in two weeks, still left time for plenty of sight seeing in the surrounding Blue Ridge. Convertible Mustang tour to mountain top Dirt Farm Brewery, Purcellville, Leesburg, Morven Park, and Harpers Ferry for history and shopping walk were local stops. A day in Washington DC is a must for guests by Metro. Guests are always impressed by the National Mall and monuments.

Back home on the farm Heartland Polocrosse Club members and guests worked on racket skills and plays for each position. Heartland and Kelsi also practiced at Sugarloaf Polocrosse in MD who also was hosting that day a Scottish rider starting his ride across the US on horseback.

True to exchange, Kelsi stayed in Scott's room while he is in Australia playing with Warwick Polocrosse Club, a similar door opened by the game.

Country music loving, Kelsi, hopped a flight to Alabama for a visit with Tennesse Valley Polocrosse Club families that included visiting Nashville. Hosted by large animal vet and polocrosse ambassador/coach, Dr. Zach Hulbert, of Indian Hills Sport Horses, and by the Hamlin family for some high goal practice with some of the US best players and trainers.

Kelsi, who grew up on her father's farm in Western Australia, about 4 hours from Perth, is a product of the hard work and harsh conditions of a sheep, cattle, and horse operation, playing polocrosse with the family from a young age. Kelsi has upped her game under Jane Marriot's tuteladge in her same home polocrosse club.

Kelsi returned to the mid-Atlantic for the Bay Area Blue Crab Classic Tournament on loaned Carpenter horse, Fernet, and received Best Player award.

That's polocrosse life!

2021 Eastern Zone Mega Clinic

Over 30 APA members and riders new to polocrosse played in chukkas 2xs a day with real time coaching on the field August 20-22, 2021. Participants rode with world class APA coaches and World Cup players on their team stopping the play for analysis and strategic coaching.

Participants arrived Thursday evening to set up camp and hot pen ponies field side at Heartland Polocrosse Club home field in Round Hill VA. Some visited The Branch, Eat, Play Roll, a newly refurbish bowling and restaurant in Leesburg for bowling owned by the hosts.

Friday morning briefing was followed by an 8:00AM start. By 11:00AM horses were cooled down for lunch break and midday unmounted educational sessions.

Participants chose from these sessions:
Ryan Trublood: Line Up Drills
Kate Lahr & Kat Liner: Mental Preparedness & Yoga for Riders
Carin Brown: Equine Infrared Thermographer Diagnostics Demo
Dr. Zach Hulbert: Soundness in the Polocrosse Horse
Rahul Desai: Umpiring Basics
Sarah Desai: Riding Different Horses/Training New Horses
Ryan Murphy: Area Strategy for Number 1 & 3

Friday afternoon riders resumed at 3:20 PM for another set of coached chukkas with new team mates and coaches.

The Saturday schedule was the same early morning chukkas and afternoon chukkas with breakout sessions midday:
Kat: Connections Across the 30 Yard Line
Kate: Bandaging & Tail Braiding
Rahul: Racquet Skills, Drills & Tricks
Sarah: Umpiring Advanced
Dr. Zach: Nutrition for the Polocrosse Horse
Ryan: Playing a Forward & Agressive Game Skills

New players from nearby and as far as TN returned to the area for the Sugarloaf Mountain Polocrosse Club Tournament in Maryland, Labor Day weekend, and back to the Heartland field for the Blue Ridge Brawl, September 25-26, 2021.

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