Interscholastic Polo Youths from New Zealand Had a “G’d Day” in Rancho Santa Fe
Four boys from Christchurch, New Zealand Compete in the USA
Rancho Santa Fe- Four high school polo-playing teens from New Zealand flew to California specifically to ride with the local youth at polo clubs in Poway, Lakeside, Rancho Santa Fe and the Northern Coastal Clubs, including Santa Barbara, Cerro Pampa and Central Coast Polo Club. The junior members of the San Diego Polo Club at Rancho Santa Fe arranged a friendly match between the New Zealanders from Christchurch on Wednesday, July 9, giving the club’s teens the ability to have an “global” game with the visiting Christ’s College interscholastic team. Thursday evening was the first ever arena polo game played by the New Zealand boys. They took to the arena game quickly and had a blast. Then Friday the group went to stick and ball at Lakeside Polo. This was followed by Lakeside grass chukkers on Saturday with an Asada BBQ. All the local youths are joining the New Zealand group experiencing surf and boogie boarding, pool parties and cookouts almost every day at a different home. Sunday they experienced the featured games at San Diego Polo Club and another Arena experience Tuesday evening again at San Diego Polo Club. The big question is who had the most fun? The local players or the New Zealand players, both groups really enjoyed the experience.
The idea for the trip came, after their team won the South Island Interschool’s Polo Tournament in at the end of March and required a lot of pre-planning. To make it affordable, the students had to arrange to use polo ponies and inquire about staying at homes of players-just like foreign exchange students. The hospitable Poway Polo Club hosted family-style accommodations during their stay in the San Diego area for the four boys and their chaperones, including a teacher and two parents
How did they offset the big travel cost? The youth began raising funds for this polo excursion by picking grapes!
Anything different about the polo in the US? New Zealand teams usually play on the standard grass polo field, but the Southern California clubs offered a unique opportunity to try something different by competing in arena tournaments-something not offered in New Zealand.
Did they have any time for anything else besides polo? Somehow, the New Zealand team found a way to squeeze a Disneyland, Universal Studio and a Sea World adventure into their schedule. Plus they did a lot of shopping as the selection of products and brands in the U.S. is much greater than in New Zealand. The group will be taking home jeans, whites, knee pads, Mallets, whips, helmets, boots and many gadgets. The boys will make their way back to New Zealand on July 26, 2008 and I can’t help but think that they will have a lot to talk about when going back down under. They created an extraordinary and remarkable horseback riding, bed and breakfast experience! Good on ya, mates!
Text provided by Rhonda Ohnesorge and Russ Sheldon.
Photos provided by Rhonda Ohnesorge and Russ Sheldon
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Photos of New Zealand Interscholastic Players at Poway Polo Club and
San Diego Polo Club. |
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