After completing approximately 11 standard English riding lessons at various riding schools, I had my first polo lesson at Ash Farm Polo Club. Polo had always been a passion of mine, but I never expected to explore it so early on in my riding journey! Nevertheless, I was thrilled about this debut experience, guided by the two lovely ladies, Charlotte and Georgia.
My pony for the lesson was named Floppy! As I mounted Floppy and took hold of the double reins in my left hand, I immediately felt her remarkable agility and responsiveness, a defining characteristic of polo ponies. Coming from a background of riding school horses, I was pleasantly surprised by Floppy’s high spirited nature and her swift response to subtle cues, a stark contrast from my previous experiences.
Under Charlotte’s guidance, I focused on refining my rising trot, a foundational skill in polo riding. Gradually becoming accustomed to the rhythmic motion, I trotted confidently around the arena, gaining momentum with each stride.
Encouraged by Charlotte, I nervously attempted to canter for the first time. Although I let out a few startling screams, I eventually began to find my rhythm and gained some balance. A memorable moment to say the least!
Next, Charlotte introduced me to the mallet. Initially, I found it quite heavy to hold, but with practice, I quickly adjusted to its weight. As we progressed to “stick and balling,” I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to strike the ball several times!
Charlotte’s encouraging words, “You’ll be a polo player in no time,” left me beaming with excitement, reaffirming my passion for polo!
Watch my debut polo lesson in action below!
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