Crosse-Over-Challenge

The Crosse-Over Challenge is an exciting competition where trainers acquire a horse from any breed or background, and develop it for polocrosse. This showcases the versatility of horses and the dedication of trainers in preparing them for a career in Polocrosse. The trainers and their horses will be featured in a showcase at APA Nationals 2025, where they will be evaluated on their progress, agility, responsiveness, and overall suitability for polocrosse. Trainers will be eligible for awards at the showcase- details TBD. Following the showcase, trainers will have the option to either keep their horse or offer it for sale at Nationals, providing a unique opportunity for buyers to acquire a started polocrosse horse. An entry fee of $200 is required, but will be refunded if the trainer chooses to withdraw from the challenge before July 31st, 2025. There will be a minimum participation number of at least 4 trainers in each category to put on the challenge. All trainers will be refunded if we don’t meet the minimum participation number. Deadline for applications is July 31st, 2025

The Crosse-Over Challenge is dedicated to promoting horsemanship, providing trainers with valuable opportunities to develop horses, and expanding the number of horses in polocrosse. This challenge allows trainers to refine their skills while preparing horses for a new career, with the option to work with accredited coaches for additional guidance and support. As part of the Crosse-Over Challenge, 10% of the proceeds from each horse sold will go toward supporting the growth and development of polocrosse. 5% will be allocated to the Player Development Program, helping to fund training opportunities and resources for emerging players, while 5% will go to the World Cup Committee to support the preparation and success of our international team. This initiative ensures that each horse sold not only finds a great home but also contributes to the future of the sport! Our goal is to bridge the gap between horses of all backgrounds and polocrosse, ensuring more well-trained, versatile horses to enter the game. By fostering strong partnerships between horse and rider, we aim to grow the sport while emphasizing quality training, adaptability, and a commitment to equine development.

Horses entered in the Crosse-Over Challenge may be either a horse the trainer already owns or one purchased for $5,000 or less. The goal of this challenge is to develop new horses for polocrosse, so each entry must meet the following criteria: The horse must be between 4- 10 years old. The horse must be sound and must not have previously participated in a polocrosse playday or tournament to qualify. A Horse Application will be submitted and will include: Video footage showcasing the horse’s movement, photos of confirmation and face. Trainers may replace a scratched horse with any eligible horse as late as June 1, 2025.

This challenge is open to all APA members. Junior trainers must be at least 12 years old, and any participant under the age of 18 is required to work closely with an accredited APA coach for progress check-ins and assistance with training. This mentorship ensures proper horse development while providing young trainers with valuable guidance and experience. Throughout the Crosse-Over Challenge, the designated trainer is the only person permitted to ride and train the horse. This ensures consistency in the horse’s development and allows the trainer to fully showcase their skills and progress. While trainers are encouraged to seek guidance from accredited APA coaches, all hands-on riding and training must be done exclusively by the trainer to maintain fairness and integrity in the competition.

Amateur Division: Open to trainers who have limited experience training young horses but are eager to develop their skills. Participants in this division typically have polocrosse experience at Low to Intermediate levels and are looking to gain more hands-on experience in horse development. Open Division: Designed for experienced trainers who have a background in starting or developing young horses. These trainers generally compete at a higher polocrosse level and have prior experience in horse training, restarting horses from other disciplines, or producing competitive polocrosse mounts. If there are 4 Juniors that register there will be a separate Junior division, if not they will fall within the Amateur category. These categories allow trainers of all levels to participate while ensuring fair competition and development within the sport.

The Crosse-Over Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s a platform to showcase horse development, promote trainers, and introduce more horses into the sport. Throughout the year, the American Polocrosse Association (APA) will actively share progress updates with its members, featuring participating trainers and their horses. Trainers will be required to maintain an online profile documenting their horse’s progress. This can be done through social media, personal websites, or other platforms, allowing trainers to engage with potential buyers, sponsors, and the wider equestrian community. This visibility not only highlights the effort and dedication put into training but also provides an opportunity to advertise the horse before the Nationals Showcase.