Horseball is a highly spectacular sport, a combination of horse-riding, rugby and basketball, played at a furious pace.

The riders need to be reasonably experienced and confident because the game, played on a fairly small pitch, involves sudden spurts, rapid stops, half-turns, and acceleration.

Therefore it's essential that their horses are well-schooled and under perfect control.

Played with a ball especially fitted with six leather handles, it's decided on goals. To score, a team, comprising four riders, needs to pass at least three times and shoot through a hoop one metre in diameter, suspended on a 3.5 metre pole.

Britain's outstanding exponents are the North London Tigers, who train at the Barnet Riding Centre, Galley Lane. League champions, the Tigers look set to retain their title as they top the table after winning all seven matches so far.

North London's latest successes came when they hosted a league weekend at the Patchetts Equestrian Centre, Bushey, and won all three matches.

They toppled leaders Nottingham with a 7-2 victory, and followed up with a 4-2 defeat of Warwick Warriors. The next day, a close match against South Causey, from Newcastle, produced a 5-4 win for the Tigers to round off an excellent weekend.

Two of the youngest Tigers, 22-year-old Rachel Yarborough, of Dale Avenue, Edgware, and Stuart Copeland, 20, of Clifford Road, New Barnet, have been selected for the England squad that faces France in a friendly later this month.

They are joined by fellow Tigers, Chris Jackson and Paul Davis in the British squad for the European Cup in Verona in November.

Stuart's father, Jim Copeland is among several North London members who have gained international honours over the years. "Riders need plenty of confidence and determination to cope with the hurly-burly of horseball -- there's a lot of riding without reins," said Jim.

"Speed is of the essence, and ex-flat racing horses fit the bill."

Stuart Copeland rides seven-year-old Red Sombrero, a past winner on the flat, and Rachel Yarborough's regular ride is Hylter Girl, a well-bred five-year-old by Dominion.

If you are keen to take up horseball, ring Jim Copeland on 0181 441 1799, 0181 440 1832, or 0850 091023.

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