𝐄𝐏 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 | 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 & 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 – 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥
Each year the Swan Cup brings together top polocrosse players, outstanding Australian Stock Horses and a strong sense of community at the Inverell Polocrosse Grounds. What began as an idea to promote quality horses and high-level competition has quickly grown into one of the most anticipated weekends on the polocrosse calendar.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩
The concept for the Swan Cup was first discussed in 2020, following the success of a stallion auction in 2019 that helped secure the current Inverell Polocrosse grounds. With momentum building around horse sales and competition events in the wider equine industry, organisers began looking at models such as the Magic Millions and Nutrien Classic Sale for inspiration.
The vision was simple but exciting — create an event where elite men and women compete together while showcasing horses that could later be offered for sale. It would give buyers the unique opportunity to see horses perform under real polocrosse conditions before making a purchase.
Due to COVID-19 and wet weather disruptions, the inaugural Swan Cup Sale was held online in 2021. Despite the circumstances, the sale attracted strong interest and support from both the Australian Stock Horse and polocrosse communities. The success of that first online sale confirmed the concept had real momentum behind it.
The first full Swan Cup event was held in 2022, bringing the sale and competition together at the Inverell Polocrosse Grounds — a format that has continued to grow ever since.
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𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Today the Swan Cup is run as an approved Australian Stock Horse sale alongside a full weekend of polocrosse competition. The event has expanded to cater for a wide range of riders and horses, making it both competitive and inclusive.
The weekend typically features:
• Open men’s and women’s competitions
• The Swan Cup Incentive competition for sale horses
• Junior and sub-junior events
• A dedicated Australian Stock Horse sale conducted by Elders Inverell
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𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
The inaugural Swan Cup competition showcased some outstanding performances across the divisions, setting a high standard for the event moving forward.
Open Men’s
• Player of the Match – Corey Buys
• Best Australian Stock Horse – Roseridge Cruise (ridden by Corey Buys)
Open Women’s
• Player of the Match – Tennille Crab
• Best Australian Stock Horse – Bawnduggie Quickstep (ridden by Tennille Crab)
Incentive
• Player of the Match – Jim Grills
• Best Australian Stock Horse – Jaylyn Downs Porsha (ridden by Beth Hafey)
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𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
The Swan Cup has become far more than just a sporting event. For the Inverell Polocrosse Club, it has helped strengthen membership, improve facilities and create development pathways for younger players within the sport.
The broader Inverell community also benefits significantly. Each year the event draws hundreds of players, owners, families and spectators from across Australia. The influx of visitors provides a welcome boost to local businesses including motels, cafés, restaurants and retailers.
Events like the Swan Cup highlight the strong connection between equestrian sport and regional communities, bringing people together while showcasing the district and its facilities.
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𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞
By combining high-level competition with a dedicated horse sale for polocrosse horses, the Swan Cup has created a unique platform within the industry.
Buyers, sellers, breeders and riders all come together over one weekend, giving the sport valuable national exposure. The format promotes the quality and versatility of Australian Stock Horses while demonstrating the athleticism and excitement of polocrosse itself.
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𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏
Although conducted online, the first Swan Cup Sale produced encouraging results:
• 39 horses catalogued
• 24 horses sold
• 15 passed in
• Gross sales: $265,000
• Average price: $11,042
Top Prices
• Marblewood Jewel – $27,500
• Jaylyn Downs Buck – $13,500 (top priced gelding)
These figures reinforced the strong demand for quality polocrosse horses and helped establish the Swan Cup as a sale to watch in the future.
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𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬
2025 (online)
Clearance rate: 77% (30/39)
Average: $13,300
2024
Clearance rate: 82% (27/33)
Average: $12,074
2023
Clearance rate: 77.4% (24/31)
Average: $12,833
Gross: $308,000
2022
Clearance rate: 90.91% (20/22)
Average: $15,250
Gross: $305,000
2021 (online)
Clearance rate: 61.5% (24/39)
Average: $11,042
Gross: $265,000
In recent years the sale has also included yearlings, particularly after the Fountain of Youth sale concluded. This has provided breeders with another avenue to showcase young prospects and has broadened the catalogue for buyers, while also influencing the overall sale averages.
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𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬
• 2021 – Marblewood Jewel – $27,500 – Pauline Lawler
• 2022 – Jaylyn Downs Lexus – $65,000 – Gurneys
• 2023 – Yarrawa Abilene – $33,000 – Paula Dean
• 2024 – Tallerack Alena – $26,000 – Ben Whelan (Liston Cattle Co)
• 2025 – Berragoon Fantasy – $36,000
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𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
The excitement continues in 2026 with the Swan Cup, Incentive and Sale returning to the Inverell Polocrosse Grounds from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March 2026.
The weekend promises fast-paced polocrosse, quality Australian Stock Horses and a fantastic atmosphere as teams and spectators travel from across the country to be part of the action.
Whether you’re a player, breeder, buyer or simply a fan of great equestrian sport, the Swan Cup offers something for everyone.
Inverell Polocrosse Grounds
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 March 2026
Mark it in the calendar — the Swan Cup continues to grow as one of the standout events in Australian polocrosse.
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