Horseplay

Posted by Doug Morton on Saturday, 10 December 2011

Every now and again I go back and look at some of the older material that's been filed away and has been gathering digital dust ever since, in case there's something interesting I've forgotten about.  Scrolling down the menu of "Places" in my photo filing system I found an item called Noodsberg.

I suppose Noodsberg is a place, though it's not a town, a village or even an area.  It's a sugar mill belonging to Illovo Sugar, and is something of a landmark in the region.  Anyone asking for directions to Dalton or the North Coast via the "back road" will inevitably be told to turn left or right respectively at Noodsberg, making it sound like a town.  Pretty well everyone from Pietermaritzburg to Greytown would know what to expect there.

The mill has its own settlement around it, consisting mostly of staff housing and community facilities to keep the employees sweet while not making sugar.  One of the facilities is a polo field set against the backdrop of the mill.  As with any similar business related property, it's hardly possible to view any part of the landscape without having the industrial feel intrude.  It's part of that way of life.

Earlier this year I was invited to visit Noodsberg and test my camera skills at the annual Polocrosse Tournament.  I'd never had any experience of anything equestrian but realised that here was an opportunity for action photography.  The invitation came via a friend of Peter Wickham, who was the official photographer for the day.  It was my first meeting with Peter, and was the start of a pleasant and instructive friendship.

As I approached Noodsberg the tell-tale smoke signals greeted me from a distance, somewhat like the pillar of smoke that guided Moses and the twelve tribes of Israel in the desert.

Some of the early games were already under way, and there was activity all around me.  As yet I knew nothing of the rules of the game, and had no idea of how long a game was, how many periods (were they chukkas, as in Polo?) or how many players in a team.  The polo field was sectioned off into four polocrosse fields, and there were madly galloping horses everywhere, each with a rider who seemed glued to the saddle.

Around the fringes, there were players waiting for their games to be called, preparing themselves and their mounts for the coming fray.

 

And there, in solitary splendour, surveying the scene as if it were his personal fiefdom, sat my soon-to-be-friend, Peter Wickham.  Already his camera gear was laid on the ground as if the day had been a long and tough one and he was tired.

With my lack of exposure to horses I kept a respectful distance from the goings-on, admiring all the while the familiarity with which handlers, riders and even young children worked with the gorgeous beasts.  It seemed completely second nature to them to be astride a powerful steed, and the horses, too, appeared to be happy to be part of the relationship.

The grooms, specially, looked as if this was just another day at the office, just as I'm familiar with my computer keyboard.

 

They watched proceedings with a a sort of detachment while not organising and sorting their charges.  I couldn't tell if any of them would have been interested in participating in the game himself.

 

The best photographic vantage point seemed to be sqatting flat on the ground near a corner.  This was within shot distance for the goalmouth scrambles as well as for what I called lineouts, so covering most of the action.  The problem, of course, was how not to get trampled.  It was a toss-up between decent photos and guaranteed survival.  Not wanting to appear a complete wimp, I took the chance.  There were some close calls, but I reckon the horses and their riders were every bit as keen to avoid me as I was them.

The action was furious.

 

Eyes on the ball was the order of the day.  I remembered from fooling around on my bicycle all those decades ago how many things I had to think about to stay aboard, and marvelled at what I saw.

 

One of my clearest memories of the day was the incessant pounding of hooves.  The fields had obviously been prepared by heavy watering over a long time, but still the ground shook and the sounds found their way into my chest.

 

Another aspect that struck me forcibly was that teams were mixed male and female, and that there seemed to be no quarter being asked or granted.  Obviously many of the players knew one another well, and this was a social occasion too, but the games were hard-fought.

 

After some hours of the frenzy and excitement in typically perfect KZN Midlands autumn weather, I had a chance to look around at some of other doings and spectators.  There was increasing activity at the food stalls and, of course, the pub as the day wore on, and soon the sounds of galloping hooves were being challenged by those of people enjoying the day.

Motor cars parked all up and down the sidelines were popular grandstands........

And some other photographers decided to call it a day too.

For the younger bunch, though, enough was never enough, and they cantered this way and that, looking for all the world as if they'd been born in their saddles.

While one or two others had a far more laid-back approach to exercise and recreation.

I guess the horses themselves, the true stars of the show, had had their fill, and were keen to get back to the ranch and the thorough grooming they full deserved.

So that was it.  My first and so far, only, close contact with matters equestrian.  I have to admit I enjoyed the day and the camera challenge immensely, and if I can get there again next year, I'll have an opportunity to see if I've learned anything useful.

I got into the exit queue with all the horse trailers and cars loaded with tack and exhausted players and children, and was really pleased to have been part of such a different community, just for one special day.

Comments

I enjoyed Noodsberg golf course often in the early 1990's. One winter morning it had snowed the night before and become the Noord Pole. Blue knuckled and squinting in the glare, we teed off, growing ever taller from the snow accumulating on the soles of our frozen shoes, we mushed after our golf balls which, vanished under the crisp ice. I remember thinking, 'Do this now or you will never get this chance again!' Somehow, we finished and told the timid but now tiddly ones about what they had missed.

By: Mike Begley on July 5, 2013

I like what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and coverage! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my personal forumroll. Demuth

By: Williamzew on May 11, 2016

You're so awesome! I actually do not suppose I've truly read anything such as this before. So great to locate somebody with some genuine thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. be grateful for starting this up. This site is something that is required on the internet, someone with many originality!

By: Drewqclaborn on June 21, 2016

There is certainly a great deal to learn about this topic. I like each of the points you made.

By: Herbramodt on August 3, 2016

Really good info. Lucky me I came across your website accidentally (stumbleupon). I've saved like a favorite for later!

By: Noephoscheit on August 17, 2016

Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was really a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?

By: Emileeipafel on August 18, 2016

Many thanks really beneficial. Will certainly share site with my pals

By: Fifa Coins on August 25, 2016

I visit every day a number of websites and websites to learn articles or reviews, however this blog provides feature based articles.

By: Lovieadooner on August 26, 2016

Very nice article, just what I wanted to find.

By: Felisabjuras on August 29, 2016

I am just really enjoying the theme/form of your web site. Have you ever come upon any browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Have you got any ideas to assist fix this issue?

By: Stevefsivils on September 21, 2016

I was previously suggested this website through my cousin. I'm now not certain whether this submit is written by him as no person else know such precise about my problem. You will be wonderful! Thanks!

By: Russmcamon on September 24, 2016

I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It's an extremely easy around the eyes rendering it far more pleasant in my opinion ahead here and visit more frequently. Have you hire out a designer to create your theme? Superb work!

By: Kyleemoncada on September 30, 2016

Hey! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

By: Kendaigauani on November 23, 2016

Actually when someone doesn't know afterward its around other people that they may help, so here it occurs.

By: Curtrallyn on December 1, 2016

Post a comment