Fourth of July Debut Exhibition Match @ Hidden Creek PC (OR)

Hidden Creek Polo held their debut polo match on the 4th of July. Over 210 spectators came to watch the first polo exhibition match at the new Hidden Creek Polo Club. The Club is located Northeast of Wilsonville, is just 20 minutes from Portland, Oregon. The first official season is scheduled for Summer 2009, but the Club plans to host a series of exhibition matches and some light tournament games this summer and in 2008. The season will run June through September and will include a schedule of six tournaments. Hidden Creek is still under construction, but there are a couple polo fields already in and ready to play on.

For the 4th of July Exhibition, players came in from Washington and California to join the Hidden Creek Polo Team in a fast-paced exhibition match. George Dill and Fergus Gould came in from Washington to team up with Bill Freeman from California to form the Corleone Polo Team. Alex Jones, a 1-goal player from New Zealand, was the fourth player on their team. Tom Turner, Graham Bray and his son Jesse Bray teamed up with Sean Keys to complete the Hidden Creek Polo Team.

Photo: Graham Bray, Fergus Gould and Sean Keys.

Tents were set up on the berm above the field, where spectators enjoyed an amazing view of the valley as well as a great vantage point to watch the game. The Club hosted a BBQ with a lavish spread of food and beverages. Kids were able to enjoy pony rides on the sidelines between chukkers and after the match.

Keys, 36, is a builder who began playing polo a few years ago at Eldorado Polo Club in California. He was instantly hooked. Hidden Creek is the second Club Keys is building. He is already co-owner of the La Quinta Polo Club, in La Quinta, CA that is located just 10 minutes from Eldorado Polo Club. La Quinta Polo Club just finished its first season this past winter. You can visit http://www.laquintapolo.com for more information.

Keys has hired polo manager, Graham Bray, to manage both the La Quinta Polo Club and the new Hidden Creek Polo Club. Bray, originally from New Zealand, has been playing polo and managing polo clubs in the U.S. for many years. His extensive experience and excellent organizational skills coupled with Key’s background in property development and having the resources to build is a match made in heaven. The result . . . excellent facilities, excellent fields and excellent polo, all in a fun environment.