The Detroit Polo Club (DPC) with the cooperation of the University of Michigan Polo Team (UM) and under the auspices and support of the United States Polo Association’s Polo Development Initiative (PDI) have conducted a new member development program with outstanding initial success. The program, called the DPC Winter Polo Riding Academy, under the direction of long-time polo player and announcer, Jerry Hutcheson, began in early January and runs through early April 2007.
Polo history, riding, rules, tack, hitting, strategy and safety lessons were given by Peter Cumming, Head Instructor and various DPC and UM members 2-3 times weekly. The UM team also held training and scrimmages on days the horses (donated by DPC members and friends) were not in use by the school. UM members were also extremely helpful with instruction at various clinics held. For example, two days of clinics were recently held for the Hartland, MI 4 H Club and had almost 30 participants ranging in age from 8 to 17. Instructional videos, a Walk-Trot scrimmage at the end of the clinics and pizza afterwards was enjoyed by all. The group has requested another clinic when the DPC switches the program to summer sessions at their outdoor grounds.
As of this writing the program has already netted 7-8 solid and enthusiastic new players and helped bring a former player, Drew Romeo, back into polo after several years off. One of the players for the Michigan State University polo team, Mackenzie Schmidt, also received lessons at the program. A recent St. Patrick’s Day lesson and scrimmage session found new members Gary Powers, Walt Scaramucci, Tom Ogg, Mark and Caleb Pilukas, Mackenzie Schmidt and Drew Romeo (with his beautiful wife Lauren cheering him on) scrimmaging and having great fun. DPC members Jerry Hutcheson and Donna Corwin were referring and instructing the session.
The Polo Training Foundation’s (PTF), Field Director, Wilbur O’Ferrall, also visited the program in February and conducted several outstanding clinics for the UM team. He also visited and conducted clinics at the Michigan State University Polo Team’s facility in Lansing, MI. The DPC’s founder (and still a playing member), Merle Jenkins, helped to fund and start both of the current intercollegiate programs in Michigan – UM and MSU. Both of the clubs have developed into outstanding examples of what can become of a few older horses, a bit of funding, support of USPA members and the youthful exuberance of the collegiate clubs.
Individual and group polo riding lessons and complete instruction in polo rules, skills and game strategy are available by contacting jerry@detroitpoloclub.com, (248) 854-7725 with further information available at www.detroitpoloclub.com. The United States Polo Association website is www.uspolo.org. 30.