The Scoop - Abbott Grills

This story is from the March 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

Age: 32

Lives: Holbrook, NSW.

Occupation: Farm Manager.

Family history with horses?
I grew up on a 6,000 acre farm at Guyra called Sunnyside, owned by my dad and two of his brothers. We used horses for mustering and work purposes. My two sisters and I started off at pony club and then progressed to polocrosse as the years went on. My dad was one of twelve brothers and sisters and most of them played polocrosse, and as the nieces and nephews got older we all played together.

What age did you start riding?
Around five or six years old.

Tell us about your first pony.
Old Piebald was my first pony (there was a Young Piebald before Old Piebald which was my eldest sister’s pony). Old Piebald used to buck a bit so he was mine. He was a naughty little pony, which they all seemed to be in those days.

What was your experience growing up in a polocrosse family?
We had a semi-trailer with a truckload of horses and the cab filled with kids, all travelling to polocrosse events as a family. We’d generally go with one or two uncles, with one staying at home to work on the farm. There was a real camaraderie between family members, practicing at home together and pushing each other to be better. There was definitely a bit of sibling and cousin rivalry. You didn’t want to be beaten by a family member.

What are some of the highlights of your riding career?
Being a part of the NSW Men’s Team which has won six Nationals in a row. Winning the last three consecutive Max Walter Trophies for Overall Champion Horse of the Nationals on Berragoon Percussion owned by Berragoon ASH Stud at Darwin 2014, Albury 2016 and Perth 2018.
Together Percussion and I also won:

2018 Perth Polocrosse Nationals
• Best Number 2
• Best Horse and Rider Senior Men’s Division
• Graham Spackman Award Winner for best overall horse and rider combination
• Best Australian Stock Horse Senior Men’s Division
• Best Overall Australian Stock Horse of the Nationals

2016 Albury Polocrosse Nationals
• Best Number 1
• Best Horse Senior Men’s Division
• Champion Men’s Horse and Rider Combination
• Best Australian Stock Horse Senior Men’s Division
• Champion Overall Australian Stock Horse

2014 Darwin Polocrosse Nationals
• Best Number 1
• Best Horse Senior Men’s Division
• Best Overall Horse and Rider Combination
• Best Australian Stock Horse Senior Men’s Division
• Best Male Player of the Nationals

Being named captain of the current World Cup team is also a highlight of my career.

In 2015, you travelled to South Africa as part of the Australian World Cup Team. What was this experience like and what did you learn?
It was wonderful to experience the culture in South Africa. In South Africa they play their horses differently to how we play them in Australia, so we needed to ride them as close to what the horses are used to, to get the best out of them. There were also a couple of rules that we don’t play in Australia, so we had to work out how to defend or attack and play against those International rules that we don’t get to experience normally.

The team had a pool of 16 horses we had to manage for the full week of World Cup polocrosse competition. I feel that from this experience I, as a player, have learnt a lot more about managing a pool of horses for our team to be successful at the coming World Cup.

Congratulations on being selected as the Australian Team Captain for the 2019 Polocrosse World Cup held in Warwick, Queensland. What was the process of firstly, being selected for the team and secondly, taking on the role as captain?
The first step was being selected on the squad of nine men and nine ladies, where we attended the AIS in Canberra. The squad then played at Albury last year against each other, under the selectors watch. The final team of eight (four men, four ladies) was then selected from both Albury and the Nationals in Perth. The captain role was appointed by a vote from all of the team players, which was the coaches way of making sure everyone had an input.

With the World Cup just around the corner, what preparation will you be doing in the lead up?
In February we travelled to Ballarat, Victoria and had two test matches against the New Zealand team, with Australia supplying the pool of horses for them. Then in March we are travelling to New Zealand for a return practice match series, where they will supply the pool of horses for us. These two events give us preparation riding foreign horses and managing a pool of horses supplied to us. It will be a quick event, flying in on the Friday and playing both Saturday and Sunday, so we get minimal time to get to know our horses beforehand. Luckily for the World Cup we get five days with our horses before we have to play. It’s all about learning the most about the pool of horses our team draws and matching them to our players as quickly as possible.

Who has had the biggest influence on your riding career?
Growing up, my father Roger Grills taught me all the basics of horse riding and playing polocrosse through the junior and intermediate ranks. From the age of 23, since moving to Holbrook, my uncle Charlie and his wife Sara Grills from Berragoon ASH Stud, have had a big influence on my polocrosse career. Without their horses and their input, coaching and advice, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

How many horses do you have in work?
I currently have six horses in full work, which are top horses that will be a part of the horse pool for the World Cup. I also have three young horses in training.

Do you have a favourite that you are currently competing?
Berragoon Percussion owned by Berragoon ASH Stud for sure. She is a once in a lifetime horse and I’ve never ridden another like her! She has taken me to the last four Nationals, bringing home numerous awards.

Share a typical day in your life.
My wife Carlie and I are up at 6am and work the polocrosse horses. At 7.30am it’s off to work, with a quick lunch break at midday. I finish up work at 5pm and then we have a bit of family time with Ned, our 20 month old son. From 6.30pm until dark we feed up and ride whatever didn’t get ridden in the morning, along with the young horses. Then we do it all again the next day.

What are the qualities that you look for in a polocrosse horse?
First of all they need to be fast and agile. Second they need to have a natural ability to stop and turn around. Horses that enjoy the game have a natural playing ability and enjoy the challenge on the field.

Mares or geldings?
Mares, because I think they perform at the top level longer.

You’ve travelled many miles for the sport. Can you tell us about your most memorable trip?
Loading up a B-double full of horses and gear to head to the 2014 Darwin Nationals. Carlie and I were away for a month, and Carlie was also playing in the NSW Women’s Team, which were unfortunately defeated, making it a long trip home despite the smile on my face!

What is the first thing you’ll be packing for the World Cup?
My racket - Jimmy Grills Sharp Shooter. Without your own racket that you are used to, you can’t perform at your best.

What do you like to do outside of horses?
I play a bit of golf and spend time with my son Ned.

If you could give advice to an 18 year old Abbott, what would you say?
The sooner you stop drinking rum, the better off you’ll be.

What’s the most important lesson horses have taught you?
Nothing comes easily. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

What are your long term goals?
To breed a quality line of polocrosse horses. Two of the mares we are competing on now we’ve bred, with five more coming along, so we are well on our way.

3 things we don’t know about you?
1. I’d like to travel to Canada one day.
2. Canberra Raiders NRL supporter.
3. Favourite food is homemade lasagne.

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