Riding High at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
(Tianjin, China, 10 April, 2011) – Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club (“Metropolitan Polo Club”) has launched a unique Junior Equestrian & Polo Programme aimed at young people interested in learning polo and horsemanship skills.
This novel weekend programme was inaugurated on April 9 at the Metropolitan Polo Club’s prestigious 222-acre (898,000 square metres) site in Tianjin – the largest polo facilities in China. It was attended by young people ranging in age from eleven to eighteen years mostly from Rego International School in Tianjin.
Riding High - participants of the Metropolitan Polo Club's inaugural polo programme are joined by their instructor, Derek Reid, (second from left) ex-Captain of the Australian National Squad
The Polo Club’s instructors include lsabel Branch, who previously worked at England’s Cirencester County Polo Club, the home club of British Princes William and Harry, and Derek Reid, the former Australian Polo Team Captain, whose work in England saw him overseeing many young polo protégés, including the young Prince Harry, younger brother of Prince William.
Children from a number of nations signed up for the two-day event which forms part of the Club’s plan to not only promote polo in China but to introduce young people and families to the joy of equestrian activities and the rewards of mingling in this glamorous and exclusive international sporting circle.
Metropolitan Polo Club Head Polo Professional Derek Reid ?centre) helps Jennifer Cui (right) of Rego International School in a weekend Polo sampler; when in England, Reid's polo proteges included the young Prince Harry
Using presentations, video and interactivity, the programme first introduces students to topics such as stable management, care of horses and basic riding skills. Then, using equipment such as a wooden horse, the children practise the art of hitting a polo ball, both from standing and from the saddle.
Rowland K. Wong, President of Metropolitan Polo Club, added “It is a delight to see these students showing such a lively interest in this exciting sport which was popular in China in the Tang Dynasty; from the reactions of the parents I can see they are extremely proud, as indeed I am. As our Club’s Junior Equestrian Programme has shown, learning how to play polo offers all the excitement and discipline of any team sport, together with the fun of horseback riding.”
Metropolitan Polo Club plans to offer more Junior Equestrian weekends as the weather warms up.
Metropolitan Polo Club is a members-only club that provides its members and their guests with exclusive access to world-class equestrian facilities and instructors as well as a Club House with extensive dining, banqueting and spa facilities.
About Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club
Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club (“Metropolitan Polo Club”) features two international-sized polo fields, stabling for 150 horses, training facilities, a riding school and a luxurious Club House. The state-of-the-art equestrian facilities are supervised by professional international managers.
Major international fixtures on the Club’s annual events calendar include various spring and autumn matches as well as Asia’s only Snow Polo Challenge which, at its inauguration in February 2011, attracted more than 7000 spectators.
Metropolitan Polo Club was opened in November 2010 by Hong Kong-listed developer Goldin Properties Holdings Limited as the sporting and social flagship of the “Goldin Metropolitan” mega-development which will comprise three zones: a Central Business District, home to the 117-storey Goldin Finance tower; a low density luxury residential belt and the 898,000 square metres Metropolitan Polo Club.
For more information, please visit www.metropolitanpoloclub.com.