Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Polo Team

Think again. Polo is a sport for today, for men, women and kids, played by different cultures from around the world. It is for people looking for an exciting sport featuring comraderie between human and equine competitors. We are fortunate in southeast Michigan to have a vibrant and growing polo community.

My first exposure to polo was attending professional polo matches in Milwaukee, years ago. Big beer companies had polo teams — Team Busch was playing against Team Miller, I believe. The bleachers were quite close to the field — perilously so, it seemed to me at the time. When the action came thundering our way the ground shook. You could hear the men and horses breathing, see muscle straining, smell their sweat. It was truly exciting, if a bit scary.

Fast forward years and miles. Tania Evans, friend, long time polo player and vice president of the Detroit Polo Club, repeatedly proposed that my kids or even myself, try the game. I was not so keen on the idea, picturing nasty falls and wayward mallet injuries. My daughters pleaded to try. After stalling as long as possible, I acquiesced.

We accompanied Tania to the Detroit Polo Club facility, located north on US-23. The grounds consist of green, well groomed fields, interspersed with dense woodland patches. The stable is a breezy summer facility on the top of a hill looking west over pastures with horses grazing around a small pond — an idyllic setting. Tania had brought her own horse, and my daughter was to take an introductory lesson on one of the polo club horses from DPC Manager and Trainer Paul Wheaton. Paul is about six feet tall, with an athletic build and a direct, purposeful way of walking and talking. He was welcoming and encouraging. I looked decidedly non-horsey in sandals and capri pants and stayed in the supportive mom role. (Little did Paul know I could have put my paddock boots and chaps on in 10 seconds flat).

The horses were mainly smaller Thoroughbreds, their manes — including forelocks —  completely clipped off. They were thin, not skinny, and obviously fit. Riders prepared the horses with no wasted movement as legs were wrapped, tails tied up, saddles and bridles put on. I walked behind as they rode out and began the lesson. As I ambled along, the sound many hooves, a leisurely stampede, came up from behind me. A woman galloped along on her horse, ponying (bringing along on a lead rope) two horses in her right hand and three more in her left hand. All were happy and orderly and proceeded to circle the perimeter of the fields for the next half hour at a hand gallop. I was amazed at the skill of the woman and calm of the horses.

I realized that this is how horses behave as a herd in nature. Polo horses are specially trained to know the game, heed their rider and to follow the ball, but moving at speed in close quarters, each maintaining keen awareness of their place in space, is instinctual for horses. They seem to enjoy it. After a good workout, the horses get a nice hose-down, some fresh hay and rest. They seem quite content with their job.

Photo courtesy of the Quechee Polo Club

Needless to say, my daughters highly enjoyed playing polo. It is “the antithesis to dressage,” expressed the older daughter, a true dressage disciple. They played weekly through last summer on a co-ed youth team organized by Emmalyn Wheaton, DPC Trainer, the rider with many horses. The kids had fun and learned the basics of polo, and I did not see a single polo injury to person or horse all summer (although of course accidents can happen anytime- knock on wood quick!). Polo appeals to some due to love of horse sport. Others approach from experience with other ball and stick games (hockey, lacrosse, baseball). Some families enjoy multi-generational play, and some individuals come to polo simply looking for a new challenge.

Both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan have polo teams. For more information, check out the Detroit Polo Club or the United States Polo Association. Better yet, come experience polo for yourself here in Ann Arbor at a free polo clinic on Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. The event is open to persons 12 and older, sponsored by the University of Michigan Polo Team using their horses, and will be held at Paragon Farm. For more information, contact smraza@umich.edu or riverbendfarm@comcast.net. See you on Saturday!

Kathy Lundberg is the owner of Scio Church Stables. Email her at scs@sciochurchstables.com.