Polo - tell me everything (please)

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wowpolo

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I've just had this mad idea (after liking the look of it) to just go for it and 'get into' polo. Potentially even go pro, in fact, I wouldn't mind that at all :D

I can start watching matches and learn the rules etc quite easily, but what about things like:

a) would it be possible to end up pro at the age of 25 or should I really have started at the age of 3 and had really rich parents?

b) what horse do I need, I like polo ponies but notice some TBs play too - can any breed work or would I need the genuine article to ensure progress? I don't currently have a horse so I'm a blank canvas...

c) do I need to be eye wateringly rich to take part?

many thanks! Anything else you think would be good for me to know, please go ahead!
 
Everything?

a) I would imagine its not IMPOSSIBLE to end up a pro from a completely standing start, but it will be a very expensive (and steep!) learning curve.

b) You need two or preferably three+ experienced ponies, or access to them. Breed is irrelevant if they are already trained, but many polo ponies are TB crosses or even pure TBs.

c) Yes!

Polo is awesome fun, but it really is awesomely expensive. Your best bet is to find a club near you, have some lessons and then see about joining.

Haveyou ever considered polocrosse? Still excellent fun, and very fast, but not quite as eye-wateringly expensive as polo.
 
Definitely YES to c!!!! :D

To B) we had a Darty who was and excellent polo pony at pony club level so I think most breeds can turn their hoof to it!!! You can pick up "ex pro" polo ponies often for quite a bargain price which might be good to learn on!

T A) if you are dedicated enough anything is possible (and extra money would probably ease the path!!)
 
Polo is highly expensive makes eventing look cheap! If your really serious it would be worth considering trying to get a polo grooms job in eg new Zealand where it is all a lot more low key and laid back so willing to let you have ago!
 
you will need loads of money, and as a startin point a minimum of 3 ponies as you can only double chukka 1 in each match. ideally 5 ponies as they can get injured quite easily. and a lorry! Good luck
 
wowpolo said:
a) would it be possible to end up pro at the age of 25 or should I really have started at the age of 3 and had really rich parents?
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If you are a girl - no
If you are a man - possibly, but you'd have to be very talented with natural hand eye coordination and put a lot of work into it. As above get a groom job and show your talent

wowpolo said:
b) what horse do I need, I like polo ponies but notice some TBs play too - can any breed work or would I need the genuine article to ensure progress? I don't currently have a horse so I'm a blank canvas...
Click to expand...
Polo ponies are mainly TB's although more argi ponies have been imported. You will need to learn on a fully trained older pony

wowpolo said:
c) do I need to be eye wateringly rich to take part?
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No but it helps!
Some smaller clubs charge membership of around £600 which covers chukkas, but not generally tournament entries. In theory if you just like sticking at your club that's all it would cost, so not much more than BE. However you need minimum of 2 ponies and you would double chukka both
 
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