Would I look completely amateur if....

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Cedars

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I wore my body protector to my polo induction tomorrow?!

Having my first polo session tomorrow (with the uni), and I want to wear my body protector (new horse, new sport) but think people might laugh at me....!

Any thoughts?! Going to Druids Lodge. xx
 
No, I think it's a wise thing to do! If you're pretty new to the sport (a pretty scary one, might I add!), and on a strange horse, I think it's a perfectly reasonable and sensible thing to do! After all - better safe than sorry :) xx
 
they wont laugh its fine. but when i played i found it restricted movement but its ur choice if u want to wear it wear it its ur body
 
I play for my uni team and don't wear one, as you need as much movement as possible in your whole body. But for your first go you might be alright!

Enjoy it, polo is the most fun I've ever had on horseback (bit cheesey but hey!) :)
 
They may laugh, but it will be behind your back and you won't be able to turn in time to catch them at it!! :D

However, it doesn't matter what they think, it is your life.
 
The way I look at my BP is, if I fall off and I damage my back and then I go to hospital and the doctor said, where you wearing a BP, and I go, No, and he says, well you wouldnt of done this if you had been wearing your BP. Who's the fool then?? Me. Wear it and be proud, your protecting your spine and internal organs, if they laugh at you, so what. its not their body. I wear mine always, and have been laughed at on a hunting field too, I stated my case to the person who laughed, who shut up and looked foolish. end of.
 
flamehead said:
Farrierlover I didnt need the sarcastic response, thank you. However I wont wear it.
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I wasn't being sarcastic, I was joking. You did ask- I think if you speak to any grooms they may snigger a little to themselves (no experience of these people at this yard, but most polo grooms I know). However, if you want to wear one then you should, don't think about how they will view you, it is your life.

*Throws away sense of humour forever*
 
To be fair, if you've never played before I doubt you will be going very fast or playing very aggressively on your first attempt! Wear one if it makes you feel better, but having played I would say you probably don't really need one :)
 
flamehead said:
Having my first polo session tomorrow (with the uni), and I want to wear my body protector (new horse, new sport) but think people might laugh at me....!
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To be blunt yes they will laugh, polo is the sport of unregulated hats based on fashion only and they are also too cool to wear breeches, so jeans it is.

Depends what first impression you want to make

However on the plus side the ponies are generally better trained than any riding school nag, and chances of falling off are slim for a first session, as you won't be able to go very fast if you want to try and hit the ball!!
 
Am wearing my riding hat as didnt trust the ones they were happy to lend..!

Wont wear it as am sure wont be in much risk of falling off xx
 
Who gives a damn what anyone else thinks? If you feel safer and more confident with a BP on then wear it. I would personally.
 
Take it with you are wear. Polo is a mentally tough sport and if you don't have the mental toughness to wear your BP if you want to then you need to toughen up anyway. Just tell them your mum insisted for the first session - or else she won't pay again (or similar). End of story!


If you like the Polo trust me, you will be judged on how you play not what you are wearing and then its your decision if you wear it or not.
 
Jen_Cots said:
To be blunt yes they will laugh, polo is the sport of unregulated hats based on fashion only and they are also too cool to wear breeches, so jeans it is.
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actually the hats are now mostly made to standards (apart from the old die hards who still wear lower starndard ones) and do protect the head well - even my old traditonal one had more padding than my new xc hat! the metal visor is essential if you like your teeth - the 'jeans' are far more comfy than breeches and far more grippy on the saddle - and knee pads are certainly not for fashion only and i don't know any one who'd risk competing without them....

so from an outsiders perspective it may be all about fashion - but from an insiders it certainly is not ;)

but yes - i have at agree that you will prob be laughed at for wearing a BP as it will restrict your movement - however - its your back and if you want to protect it then i can only respect you for that and it really does not matter what the grooms think :)
 
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