Your First Polo Match
By Alex Webbe
With the popular resurgence of polo it is a common occurrence for someone to say, “I’d really like to see a polo match, but I have no idea what to do.”
Halftime Divot Stomp at International Polo Club Palm Beach, FL. Photo by Ami De La Mer.
Getting yourself together for an afternoon of polo is no more difficult than going to a baseball game. Both sports require a minimum amount of planning, with much of the organizational responsibilities being assumed by the particular club you are visiting.
The events are being presented for public viewing, everyone is invited, and spectators are encouraged to attend, and even cheer for the competition. A great deal of advertising is prepared every year to assist area sports fans in finding their way to the matches, and every effort is made to assist the general public when they do arrive.
Polo match at Twin Palms Polo Club in La Quinta, CA.
Initially, it is a good idea to call the club to find out who is playing. Since the level of play is directly proportional to the number of goals a team is worth, you know that a 12-goal match cannot present the talented players of a 26-goal match, and that the horses played in an 8-goal contest will not be as swift or as powerful as the horses played in higher rated competition. All levels of polo are jam packed with action, however, and are always fun to watch.
It is also a good idea to find out whether the match you will be attending will be played on a field equipped with grandstands, box seating or just field-side parking. That way you can pack a couple directors chairs to make yourself more comfortable.
An arena polo match at California Polo Club located in Los Angeles, CA.
The time of the match is also important. You should allow plenty of time to arrive and get situated, as there may be a slight traffic slow down at the entrance just before the start of the action. If you want to get a look at the horses or players, you should plan on arriving nearly an hour early, since as the game time nears, they will all be quite busy preparing for play. Also, if you want to bring a picnic lunch, parking alongside the field is preferable.
Finally, learn the basics of the game, and don’t be afraid to ask. Getting a basic understanding of the game and being able to identify many of the players will make the game more enjoyable and easier to follow.
Related Information:
What to wear to a polo match?
Find A Polo Club
Learn To Play Polo