Polo Lessons

[Jodie & Ru]

Hi

Have be wanting to try my hand at Polo for quite a while now. Just wondered if many of you guys had much experience of playing polo, was looking at maybe taking lessons around London at either Ascot Park on Ham polo club.

Would love to hear your experiences of the game?

Thanks :)

[Jodie & Ru]

Surely somone's had a ago :)

[bexj]

I'm sure they do beginners days at Ascot Park - don't know any contacts i'm afraid but a google may throw back something, or you could see if one these "experience" providers does them (Red Letter Days is the only one I know!)

It looks like great fun - my YO's partner is an Argentinian ex-polo player and trainer, and some of the tales he has are fabulous!

[entreat]

talk about scary! (& I've only watched it!) There's on or two places that do lessons in Australia, but it's about as risky as they come, so it's hard to get insurance (one place was sued by someone not even enrolled in the course!)

Hope you have a tonne of fun! If I wasn't so scared, I wouldn't mind trying polocrosse.

[Jodie & Ru]

Think i'm going to boko the 2 hour discover course at Ascot Park. Wow, so excited! Will let you all know how it goes!

[shirley]

Brilliant. Good luck to you.
Have you thought about Horse Ball as well, I saw a demo of this at Sheffield earlier this year, fast and furious, they use polo ponies as well.

[Jodie & Ru]

Horse ball sounds fun too, i've seen some of the girls play this at the stables. Not sure I fancy having to get that close to the ground though:eek:

[shirley]

Can't say I would too. Short dumpy me on my short dumpy cob would look completely out of place!!!!!

[sugarpuff]

hi all, where i work a lady plays polo she is extermally good and rides a lot of polo horses incl breaking them and training. she lives in bracknell and has played many times in ascot i could ask her if you like. she is taken me next (due to her leg injury which isnt horsey related i have to wait) and she is going to teach me.

[Jodie & Ru]

Sugarpuff - would love to hear about Acot park from your from your friend, i think i'm going the 2nd weekend in December so very excited now!

[Jodie & Ru]

Well guess what? I completed my 'Discover Polo' lesson at Ascot Park last Sunday and I must say I have never ever had so much fun in my life. It was amazing! We had roughly about 40 minutes on the ground learning basic rules and practising hitting the ball from a crate.

Then it was time to mount the ponies and see how they feel to ride. WOW! The ponies are amazing and so so easy to control, it feels very different from traditional classical riding, as firstly you feel kind of perched on the saddle and there is no knee rolls or pommel (was kind of relying on that pommel too!!!). You neck rain and ride with literally no contact. We were allowed to ride the ponies around the arena at all paces to get used to them before picking up our mallets and practicing stick an balling.

So we had two hours tuition in total, and i then played an instructional chukka with 2 instructor and another girl! Boy was it hard work!

Am now addicted and can't wait to re-visit, everyone was so so friendly and i ended up staying the whole day and watched a number of the pro's play - fantastic!

J x

[aliw]

I'm doing a polo rally with the pony club. Knowing me I'll probably whack Bella in the face with the stick!

[berties-girl]

I was a polo groom for 3 years, years ago now, but it was the best job i ever had, we used to play the players for them to practice, the horses have to be kept so fit, as long as you are taught properly you will love it, especially when you eventually get to play a chukka and start riding others off, can be dangerous too, but im sure you will really enjoy it, The Berkshire Polo club at Winkfield is very good.