IT MIGHT be the off season but Warwick Polocrosse Club is not missing an opportunity to improve individual rider skills in the run-up to the Barastoc National Championships at Morgan Park next April.

Last weekend, the club held a horsemanship school with Rosewood horseman David Manchon, who recently competed and instructed at Equitana in Sydney.

He was one of three trainers in the Way of the Horse Challenge where they drew an untouched Australian Stock Horse to break in over three, one-hour sessions.

Twelve club members gained immense knowledge at the weekend with Manchon focusing on the five components of training a horse to move effectively around a polocrosse field.

Polocrosse club member Kent Wells said Manchon showed school participants how to move horses independently to gain the most out of the horse, no matter what discipline.

"Everyone present saw huge improvements in their horses as well as themselves (as riders) over the two days," Wells said.

On Saturday afternoon, Manchon used his trick show horse to demonstrate how much riders can get from horses by taking control of the five components of the horse's body.

Many of the course participants will be able to test their new skills at a Cunningham club carnival on April 14-15 before the nationals next year.

The April 23-29 nationals go for seven days, with a late start for Anzac Day.

The second major carnival in Warwick next year will be the Rosebowl in August at Morgan Park.

Teams for the nationals will start practice in January and then travel to some NSW carnivals before playing at Cunningham.