Does anyone here play polo? I'm about to start!

[HorseNut]

I've booked in for my first lesson (with a friend, who is also new to it). We're both 'happy hackers' - not especially fit but with decades of riding experience. We just want to try something new.

Can anyone advise me on what to expect? I'm suddenly quite nervous. Is it hard? Scary? I don't like jumping, I'm not very brave really! Im suddenly wondering if I'm mad. I'm assuming it will all be very slow to start with..? It's also ££ ! Will I love it, what do you think?

I’ve not played polo OP I’ve played polocrosse and it’s bloody hard! And I’m a very experienced rider/qualified instructor. It’s great fun and the ponies know what they are doing so go and enjoy yourself! Report back please!

My polo days are long behind me and I wouldn’t go back now! Be prepared to get walloped, fingers broken, random injuries. The ponies are fast but they do know what they are doing.

good luck!

Polo is really good fun. Even if you are nervous you get more caught up in the game; where to be, where the ball is etc than having time to be nervous. The beginner ponies are absolute troopers- forgiving and know the game so they will put you in the right place for the ball, turn when you hit a back shot and so on.

It gets scarier when you get to the faster paced games but going to a beginner lesson you will be just fine! It will be very step by step probably starting on the ground with a half stick or on a wooden horse. Have fun!

Just empty your wallet and bank account out right now, buy a few support bandages for the inevitable injuries, and prepare to be addicted. Had I first played polo when I was younger, I would be utterly skint and broken by now I reckon. I love it! Really pay attention though when they show you how to grip the mallet and strike the ball. It’s far too easy to get it wrong and really strain your wrist. I took DS to a friend’s place for a lesson once, we had to prise him off the pony once it got too dark to see much. He loved it too.

If you want to do it a cheaper (ha!) way, book yourself a polo holiday in Argentina. Then you can play polo and drink Malbec for an entire week without sleeping. I can recommend a place….

I had a polo lesson once and I found it rather hard. It’s a different way to ride and I found I tried to ride as I normally do and couldn’t get the gist, but it was fun. My friend’s kids all play polo and i can’t get over how expensive it is if you get hooked!

Haha, not sure if I feel better for this or not 😄 So, it sounds mostly expensive! But fun? How different is it to normal (English) riding?

Well, I loved it! Completely loved it. Stayed mostly in walk and found hitting the ball pretty easy (the pony was fab, helped me loads). A bit of trotting and hitting, and a canter without hitting the ball - just to get used to the feel of the saddle (no knee rolls) and one handed riding. I can't wait to go back!

And so the addiction starts… 😂

Polo is super fun tho v v expensive. I really enjoyed it, and haring at speed chasing the puck was fabulous. I stopped because I am left handed & couldn’t hit for toffee!

Ah, someone there was left handed, it's a huge disadvantage! What a shame.