Please read my previous post to find out how I became interested in polo.

The day had finally come for me to have my first polo lesson. I had no idea what to expect, so I asked my brother to come along for support and to take pictures. After all, I wasn’t sure if I would like polo, but it would be nice to have pictures of my first ever polo lesson.

I’ll be honest. I’m quite shy and to have to walk into a new barn, not knowing anybody, is quite intimidating. So I was worried that I would be the awkward non-polo player that everybody looks down on. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that everybody was extremely friendly as I was greeted by smiling players who were getting ready for their lesson. Honestly, I’ve never experienced such friendliness in the horse world before. I felt so welcomed.

Carlos teaching me the swings with a foot mallet

I was introduced to Max, my instructor, and then shown around the property by Carlos, who plays at the club.  Since Max was teaching a lesson, Carlos explained the game briefly and then showed me the basic swings with a foot mallet. It seemed pretty easy…until I had to get on the wooden horse in the hitting cage and had to hold a real mallet. It felt so long, so awkward and heavy. I’m supposed to hit a ball with this thing? While on top of a moving horse?  I am going to hit the poor horse! Let me say I missed quite a few balls while on top of the wooden horse, and I couldn’t stop laughing. The whole getting out of the saddle thing and turning to the side to hit the ball also felt very strange.

Max showing me how to hold the mallet

And then it was time to get on a real polo pony, named Avispa. I was shown how to hold the reins – does anybody else think that every single piece of English tack out there is put onto a polo pony? On top of this, I have to hold a mallet, stay balanced, and control the horse? I thought it would be impossible. But Avispa was a patient little pony and even helped me out by kicking the balls I missed. I was really afraid of hitting her with the mallet, so I made sure to be careful.

Polo Newbie in action!

I managed to hit the ball a few times and it felt really good. It was hard but so much fun! I had a smile on my face the whole entire time. My wrist got tired though, so Max took my mallet and we called it a day. I honestly didn’t want my lesson to end, that’s how much fun it was.

I must confess that I had a big smile plastered on my face for the days following my lesson. Would I be back for more? Find out in my next post!