Polo is an equestrian sport played on horseback between two teams of four players each who use mallets with long, flexible handles to drive a wooden ball down a grass field and between two goal posts. It is the oldest of equestrian sports, with its origins tracing back to the 6th century BC in Persia.
The game is played in several periods called chukkas (from the Urdu word: chakkar which means “all”). Each chukka lasts 7 minutes and 30 seconds, and there are usually 6 to 8 chukkas in a game. The players have 3 minutes of rest between each chukka and a 5 minute break at half-time.
The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is scored when the ball passes through the opposing team's goal posts. The ball can be hit with the mallet in any direction, and players are allowed to hit the ball out of the air.
Polo is a physically demanding sport that requires a high level of horsemanship, agility, and teamwork. It is also a very expensive sport, as the horses and equipment are very costly.
There are two main types of polo: field polo and arena polo. Field polo is played on a large grass field, while arena polo is played on a smaller, enclosed field. Arena polo is a faster-paced game than field polo, and it is often seen as a more spectator-friendly version of the sport.
Polo is a popular sport in many countries around the world, including Argentina, India, Pakistan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It is also an Olympic sport, and it has been included in the Summer Olympics since 1900.
Here are some of the equipment used in polo:
- Mallet: A long, wooden stick with a flat head that is used to hit the ball.
- Helmet: A protective helmet that is worn to protect the rider's head from injury.
- Shirt: A brightly colored shirt that is worn to identify the player's team.
- Riding boots: Sturdy boots that are worn to protect the rider's feet and ankles.
- White trousers: White trousers that are worn to provide contrast with the ball.
- Optional equipment: Kneepads, face mask, whip, and gloves.
Polo - Clubs - Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
- Auckland Polo Club, Kawakawa Bay Coast Road, Kawakawa Bay, Auckland 2585 NZ
- Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club, R.K.Estate, 4-3-328, Bank Street, Koti Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh IND
- Jaipur Riding and Polo Club, Jaipur IND
- Jurassic Park Polo, The Side P. O. Box 12 Swartberg, 4710 SAF
- Kihikihi Polo Club, Dick Street. Kihikihi 3875 NZ
- Lahore Polo Club, Golf Lane, G.O.R. - I, Lahore - 54000 Pakistan
- Manila Polo Club, McKinley Road, Forbes Par, Makati City PHL
- Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association, Imphal Pologround IND
- Mystery Creek Polo Club, 359 Mystery Creek Road, R D 1 Ohaupo NZ
- Nusantara Polo Club, Jagorawi Golf & Country Club, Jagorawi IDN
- Rajasthan Polo Club, Rambagh Campus, Jaipur, Rajasthan (INDIA)
- Singapore Polo Club, 80 Mount Pleasant Road, 298334 Singapore
- Thai Polo Club, 111 Polo drive Moo 9 Pong , Banglamung, 20150 Chomburi THA
- Windsor Polo Club, Old Kurrajong Road and Triangle Lane, Richmond NSW 2753 AUS
Polo - Clubs - Europe, Middle East, Africa
- Beaufort Polo Club, Down Farm, Westonbirt,, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QW UK
- Bentheimer Polo & Country Club e.V, Gut Hubertushof, D-48455 Bad Bentheim DEU
- Berliner Polo-Club e.V., Dorfstraße 31, 14621 Schönwalde-Glien DEU
- Beverly Polo Club, Tickton Hall, Tickton, Beverley HU17 9RX UK
- Buksza Polo & Riding Club, Lipowa 5, 05-530 Obręb POL
- Cambridge Polo Club, Cambridge Road, Barton, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 7AT UK
- Chiemsee Polo Club Ising e.V., Kirchberg 3, D-83339 Gut Ising DEU
- Cowdray Park Polo Club, Easebourne, Midhurst GU29 0AJ UK
- Edgeworth Polo Club, Fieldbarn, Edgeworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 7JF UK
- Epsom Polo Club, Horton Country Pk/Horton La, Epsom KT19 8PL UK
- Fifield Polo Club, Oakley Green Rd, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4QF UK
- Frankfurter Polo Club e.V., Taunusstr. 28, D-65183 Wiesbaden DEU
- Guards Polo Club, Smiths Lawn/Windsor Great Park, Egham TW20 0HP, UK
- Ham Polo Club, Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AH UK
- Hamburger Polo Club e.V., Jenischstraße 26, 22609 Hamburg, DEU
- Hertfordshire Polo Club, Woolmers Park, Letty Green, Hertfordshire. SG14 2NX UK
- Hickstead, West Sussex, RH17 5NU, UK
- Hurtwood Park Polo Club, Horsham Lane, Ewhurst Green, Surrey GU6 7SW UK
- Leadenham Polo Club, The Manor, Church End, Leadenham LN5 0PX, UK
- Malta Polo Club, Triq Lispiera 26 C, SWQ3031, Swieqi MLT
- New Forest Polo Club, New Forest National Park, New Park, Brockenhurst SO42 7QH UK
- Offchurch Bury Polo Club, The Polo Office, Offchuch Bury, Offchurch, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV33 9AR UK
- Polo Club Berlin Brandenburg e.V. Alte Schönhauser Straße 53/54, 10119 Berlin DEU
- Polo Club de Chantilly, La Ferme d'Apremont,Apremont,60300, FRA
- Polo Club Gstaad, Les Arcades, PO-BOX 419, CH-3780 Gstaad, CHE
- Polo Club Gut Basthorst e.V., Auf dem Gut 3, 21493 Basthorst DEU
- Polo Club Saint-Tropez, Haras de Gassin, Route du Bourrian, 83580 Gassin FRA
- Polo de Paris, Route des Moulins, 75016, Paris FRA
- Polo Wicklow, Kilpoole Hill, Wicklow IRE
- Poloclub Schloss Ebreichsdorf | Schlossplatz 3, 2483 Ebreichsdorf AUT
- Polskie Towarzystwo Polo, Rosola 61 c/22 02-777 Warszawa Poland
- Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, Avda. Dr. Marañón 19-31 08028-Barcelona ESP
- Rhein Polo Club Düsseldorf e.V., Zum Hülsdonker Hof 31, D-47877 Willich, DEU
- Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, North Street,, Winkfield, Windsor, Berkshire, SL44TH UK
- Rutland Polo Club, 34 High St, Oakham LE15 6AL, UK
- Santa Maria Polo Club, Finca Los Pinos. Ctra. A7 (Málaga direction), Salida A133 11310, Sotogrande, San Roque (Cádiz) ESP
- Silverleys Polo Club, Bury Green Farm,, Millfield Lane,, Bury Green, Little Hadham, Ware, Herts SG11 2HE UK
- Swiss Polo Association, c/o VT Wealth Management AG Todistrasse 27, 8002 Zurich CHE
- Taunton Vale Polo Club, Gipsy La, Taunton TA2 6LP, UK
- Tidworth Polo Club, Tedworth Park, Tidworth, Wiltshire SP9 7AH UK
- Toulston Polo Club, C/o Bowers hall, Barkisland, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX4 0BG, UK
- Tres Rosas Polo Club, Road San Roque - Jimena de la Frontera, Km. 26,5, Jimena de la Frontera (Cádiz) ESP
- Westcroft Park Polo Club, Windlesham Road, Chobham, Woking GU24 8SN UK
- White Rose Polo Club, Townend Farm, North Cliffe, York, YO43 4XB UK
Polo - Clubs - North America
- Aiken Polo Club, 240 Mead Avenue, Aiken, SC 29801
- Arizona Polo Club, 8140 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
- Barrington Hills Polo Club, 23815 W Milton Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
- Battlefield Park Polo Club, 5704 Pageland Ave., Gainseville, VA 20155
- Bend Polo Club, 60580 Gosney Road, Bend, OR 97702
- Black Diamond Polo Club, Millarville, Alberta T0L CAN
- Bloomfield Polo Club, 20 Bloomfield Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Brandywine Polo Club, Kennett Square, PA 19348
- Calgary Polo Club, 306002 24 Street W, Okotoks, AB T1S1A2 CAN
- California Polo Club (CPC), 11035 Osborne St, Sylmar, CA 91342
- Central Coast Polo Club, 2320 Clark Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402
- Chukkar Farm Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004
- Colts Neck Polo, P.O. Box 553, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
- Country Farms Polo, 200 Bellport Ave, Medford, NY 11763
- Dallas Polo Club, 4340 N. Central, Dallas, TX 75206
- Darlington Polo Field, 3476 Darlington Road, Darlington, PA 16115
- Denver Polo Club, 10415 N Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO 80125
- Detroit Polo Club, Chukker Cove, Hartland, MI 48353
- Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA 92201
- Flying H Polo Club, P.O. Box 247, Big Horn, WY 82833
- Franklin Polo Academy, 1650 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37069
- Gardnertown Farm, 822 Gardnertown Farm Road, Newburgh, NY 12550
- Great Meadow Polo, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198
- Greenwich Polo Club, P.O. Box 3443, Greenwich, CT 06936
- Hawaii Polo Club, 68-411 Farrington Hwy, Waialua, HI 96791
- Honolulu Polo Club, P.O. Box 3589, Honolulu, HI 96811
- Houston Polo Club, 8552 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024
- La Herradura Polo & Equestrian Center, 3720 Baseline Ave., Santa Ynez, CA 93460
- Lexington Polo, 249 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507
- Madison Polo Club, 3402 Sugar Maple Lane, Verona, WI 53593
- Mashomack Polo Club, 7435 Route 82, Pine Plains, NY 12567
- Maui Polo Club, Olinda Road, Makawao, HI 96768
- Meadowview Farm, 9914 Vergennes, Lowell, MI 49331
- Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane, Atherton, CA 94027
- Midland Polo Club, 5401 Polo Club Road, Midland, TX 79705
- Milwaukee Polo Club, N75 W30343 County Road VV, Hartland, WI 53029
- Mt. Brilliant Farm, 3314 Huffman Mill Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
- Myopia Polo Club, 435 Bay Road, South Hamilton, MA 01982
- National Polo Center, 3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
- New Bridge Polo & Country Club, 862 New Bridge Road. Aiken, SC 29805
- Newport Polo Club, 715 E Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
- Oak Brook Polo Club, 1200 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
- Oak Brook Polo Club, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
- Orange County Polo Club, 23401 Vía Pajaro, Coto de Caza, CA 92679
- Palm Beach Polo Golf and Country Club, 11199 Polo Club Road Wellington, FL 33414
- Point Clear Polo Club, 16655 Polo Club Road, County Road 32, Fairhope, AL 36532
- Port Mayaca Polo Club, 12499 SW Conners Hwy, Okeechobee, FL 34974
- Prestonwood Polo & Country Club, 525 Yacht Club Road, Oak Point, TX 75068
- Roseland Polo, King Family Vineyards, 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932
- San Antonio Polo Club, 285 Obst Road, Bulverde, TX 78163
- Santa Barbara Polo Club, 3375 Foothill Rd #1200, Carpinteria, CA 93013
- Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota, FL 34240
- Seattle Polo & Equestrian Club, 25901 SE 400th St, Enumclaw, WA 98022
- The Villages Polo Club, 703 N Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL 32162
- Toronto Polo Club, 180 Renfrew Drive, Markham, ON L3R 9Z2 CAN
- Twin City Polo Club, 6755 Turner Road, Maple Plain, MN 55359
- Vero Beach Polo, 6020 5th St SW, Vero Beach, FL 32968
- Victoria Polo Club, 7161 Wallace Drive, Victoria, BC V8M-1G9 CAN
- Virginia Beach Polo Club, 300 West Freemason Street, Norfolk, VA 23510-1208
Polo - Clubs - South America
- Asociacion de Polo de Guatemala, Avenida 15-45 zona 10, Centro Empresarial, Torre I, oficina 1005., Guatemala City GTM
- Carrasco Polo Club, Cno. Brig. Gral. Servando Gómez 2749, esq. Camino Carrasco, 2600 0045 URY
- Casa de Campo, P.O. Box 140, La Romana DOM
- Club de Polo y Equitación San Cristóbal, Av. San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer 5501, Vitacura CHL
Polo - Apparel, Equipment & Tack
- Argentina Polo
- Emita Polo
- Gladiator Polo
- Gladiator Sporting Goods
- Jackson Hole Horse Emporium
- La Martina
- Pampeano
- Polo Gear
- RJ Polo
- Saratoga Saddlery
- Spirit of Polo
- Tato's
- The Tackeria
- Wood Mallets
Polo - Associations
- Asociacion Argentina de Polo, Arevalo 3065 C1426DJG, Buenos Aires ARG
- Australian Polo Federation, P.O. Box 150, Windsor, NSW 2756 AUS
- Austrian Polo Association, Schlossplatz 3, 2483 Ebreichsdorf AUT
- Barbados Polo Association, Barbados Polo Club, Holetown, St. James BRB
- Federacion Chilena de Polo, San Sebastián 2812, Of. 302, Las Condes, Santiago, CHI
- Federacion Mexicana de Polo, Av. Rio Churubusco puerta, 9 de la Cuidad deportiva,, Piso 3 of 327, Col. Magdalena Mixhuca Deleg.Ixtac 08010, MEX
- Fédération Française de Polo, Route de Moulins, Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris FRA
- Federation of Irish Polo Clubs, Ashton Lodge Castleknock 15, Dublin IRE
- Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri, Viale Tiziano, 74 Polo Dept. 00196 Rome ITA
- Finnish Polo Association, Suomen Poololiitto, P.O. Box 1154, 00101 Helsinki FIN
- Hungarian Polo Association, 7 – IV/21 Krisztina Krt. 1122 Budapest HUN
- Indian Polo Association, c/o B Squadron, 61 Cavalry Cariappa Marge 110 010, Delhi Cantt IND
- Indonesian Polo Association, Polo Complex, Jagorawi Golf & Country Club, Cibinong, West Java IDN
- New Zealand Polo Association, 977 Te Akau Road, Teakau -R.D.I. Ngaruawahia 3793 NZ
- Persian Polo
- Polo Training Foundation
- Real Federacion Espanola de Polo, Avda. San Francisco Javier nº 9, Edificio Sevilla 2 planta 7a, of 28 41018, Sevilla ESP
- Royal Malaysian Polo Association, C/o Royal Selangor Polo, Lot 1314, Off Jalan Ampang Hilir 55000, Kuala Lumpur MYS
- South African Polo Association, P.O. Box 20, Boston 3211 ZAF
- Thailand Polo Association, 8 King Power Complex 5th floor, Rangnam Road, Thanon-Phayathai, Ratchathewi, 10400, Bangkok THA
- The Hurlingham Polo Association, Manor Farm, Little Coxwell, Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 7LW UK
- The Schools and Universities Polo Association, Atkins Farm, Prestwood, Great Missendon, Bucks. HP16 0QH UK
- United States Polo Association, 4037 Iron Works Parkway, Suite 110, Lexington, KY 40511
Polo - Colleges
- Brown University Polo Club, Providence, RI 02912
- Cheltenham College, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LD UK
- Cornell University Polo, Oxley Equestrian Center, 512 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6DW UK
- George Washington University, Marvin Center 427, 800 21st St. NW, Washington, DC 20052
- Harvard Polo Club, Murr Center, 65 North Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02163
- Kemptville College, 830 Prescott Street, Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0 CAN
- Michigan State University Polo Club, 220 Trowbridge Road, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Oklahoma State University Polo Club, Stillwater, OK 74074
- Oregon State University Polo Club, Corvallis, OR 97331
- Polo Club at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
- Princeton University Polo, Princeton, NJ 08544
- Purdue Intercollegiate Polo Club, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6JS UK
- Texas A&M University Polo Club, College Station, TX 77843
- University of Bath, Norwood House, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY UK
- University of Birmingham Polo Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TT UK
- University of Connecticut, Polo Club, 85 Lawler Road, West Hartford, CT 06117
- University of Idaho, 709 S Deakin St, Moscow, ID 83844
- University of Kentucky Polo Club, Lexington, KY 40506
- University of Liverpool Polo Club, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 3BX, UK
- University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY UK
- University of Louisville Polo Club, 110 W Brandeis Ave., Louisville, KY 40208
- University of Massachusetts Polo, Stone Pony Farm, 147 Long Plain Road, Leverett, MA 01054
- University of Michigan, 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
- University of the Pacific Polo Club, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211
- University of Virginia Polo, 1082 Forest Lodge Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- University of Wyoming Polo Club, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071
- University of York Polo Club, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
- Yale Polo Team, P.O. Box 204461, New Haven, CT 06520-4461
Polo - Competitor
Polo - Event Venue Hire
- Chukkar Farm Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004
- Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA 92201
- Great Meadow Polo, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, VA 20198
- Hickstead, West Sussex, RH17 5NU, UK
- Hurtwood Park Polo Club, Horsham Lane, Ewhurst Green, Surrey GU6 7SW UK
- Santa Barbara Polo Club, 3375 Foothill Rd #1200, Carpinteria, CA 93013
- Santa Maria Polo Club, Finca Los Pinos. Ctra. A7 (Málaga direction), Salida A133 11310, Sotogrande, San Roque (Cádiz) ESP
Polo - High School
- Culver Academies Polo Club, 1300 Academy Road, Culver, IN 46511
- Garrison Forest School Polo Club, 300 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Polo - Insurance
Polo - News
- Polo America, 262 Eastgate Drive, #326, Aiken, SC 29803
- Polo Site of the Netherlands
- Polo Times Ltd., Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton Gloucesteshire, GL2 9LN, UK
- Pololine
- PoloZONE
- Siam Polo News
Polo - Rehome
- Polo Pony Rescue, 842 S Citrus Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Squirrel Wood Equine Sanctuary, 1994 State Route 17K, Montgomery, NY 12549
Polo - Vacation
- Argentina Polo Academy, Ruta 6 y rio Lujan, Buenos Aires, ARG
- Casa de Campo, P.O. Box 140, La Romana DOM
- Don Pepe Polo Farm, Avenida Illia 62, 5870 Villa Dolores, Cordoba ARG
- El Venado Polo School, Estancia El Venado, Chascomus 7112, ARG
- Leadenham Polo Club, The Manor, Church End, Leadenham LN5 0PX, UK
- Poloafrica, Uitgedacht Farm, P.O. Box 1315, Ficksburg 9730 ZAF
- Sierra Chicas Country Polo Clinics Cordoba/Mendoza ARG
- Tres Rosas Polo Club, Road San Roque - Jimena de la Frontera, Km. 26,5, Jimena de la Frontera (Cádiz) ESP
Racehorse California Chrome meets Polo Player Nic Roldan
Two Top American Champions Meet
Champion American Racehorse California Chrome and Champion American Polo Player and captain of the US Polo team Nic Roldan stood next to each other at Gulfstream only a few days before the Pegasus World Cup
Nikki Walker, granddaughter of Gulfstream Park owner Frank Stronach, is an advisory board member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and an accomplished equestrian, was also present. Fan favourite professional polo player Kris Kampsen, who also specializes in retraining OTTBs (Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds) to polo, was also in attendance. Additional Polo Players: Julian de Lusaretta, Luchino Ortiz de Urbina & Mia Cambiaso, and Polo Pony trainer Martin Phagouape.
Nic watched California Chrome train and then had a “meet & greet” with him afterward, including a photoshoot opportunity at Barn 2, Gulfstream Park, Ft. Lauderdale
To highlight the fact that over half of Nic’s string of polo ponies are “Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds,” and that this is a essential way these two regal disciplines can work together to provide a wonderful future for OTTBs.
Sport of Kings meets the Game of Kings
From January to May, the focus of the international polo world is on Wellington, Florida; and on Sunday 8th of January one of top American polo player Nic Roldan’s mounts was chosen as the Best Playing Pony of that game. The mare in question is a chestnut mare called Cubana, an “Off-the-Track Thoroughbred” (OTTB). In fact, over half of Nic’s current string are OTTBs. His horses Tulsa, Ducati, Cohiba and Cubana are all OTTBs. In all facets, Argentina has the monopoly on polo, and players breed copious amounts of polo ponies on the pampas plains. However, Stateside, people often look to the racetrack as an essential source of their ponies.
Nic’s love for polo comes as result of his passion for horses. In polo, it’s considered that horses are 80% of the game whilst players only contribute 20%. As such, it’s the team with the best mounts that wins. Nic often highlights his mounts and, when highlighting Cubana’s success, he hit a cord and got a great response from not just the polo world but also the racing and fans of OTTBs. This provided a great and wonderful opportunity for these two disciplines to combine. Adding to this is the fact that two of Nic’s horse trainers, Osvaldo and Terri Gallitelli, come from the racing industry.
Thanks to Terri’s amazing work, the unique opportunity arose for Nic to go to Gulfstream Park to watch none other than California Chrome train – and then to meet him. For polo folks not in the know, California Chrome is racing’s answer, performance-wise, to Cuartaterra.
California Chrome is racing’s all-time leading earner with $14,452,650. He is a seven-time Grade 1 winner and was the Horse of the Year in 2014 and 2016. This weekend, on Saturday, January 28, California Chrome will make his final start in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. The $12 million purse is the largest, worldwide, in the sport. California Chrome will then retire to stud at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky.
So at 5:30am, in the dark, on a Monday morning, there we all were at Gulfstream Park – and what an experience it was. We had unprecedented access to this amazing horse in one of the most important weeks of his life. We saw him get ready and train. Afterwards he was bathed and we were allowed hands on access – amazing! This was followed shortly after by a photo opportunity where Nic was given California Chrome to hold solo, which was a most surreal moment for him.
Special thanks must go to Duncan Taylor for this rare opportunity and thanks to the kindness and willingness of Alan Sherman to allow us access to this awe-inspiring athlete. The group also really enjoyed talking to Dihigi Gladney, California Chrome’s work rider. A special shout out must also go to the legendary racing photographer Barbara Livingston, who was a big part of this.
This was a serendipitous moment where two entities at the top of their game were bought together, able to highlight how these two regal disciplines can compliment each other and draw attention to the fact that polo is a fantastic avenue for the OTTBs.
It was wonderful how we were welcomed and how the racing fraternity was interested to hear about the OTTB’s use in our sport. Thoroughbreds makes some of the best polo ponies, and often are the best horses in all equine disciplines, as they are the fastest and most athletic. Especially as polo has evolved, Thoroughbreds have become prolific in the sport. We look for horses 15-15’2 in height, with short cannon bones, good angles at the hocks, body & head carriage, and of course sound and very quiet in character. Also, ideally in polo, we look for mares – which is a timing factor, as mares can play high-goal in 2-3 years but geldings mature later in our sport. On the way back, we joked that California Chrome was not too big for polo and that given he was retiring anyway after this weekend, he may just make it in time for the US Open Polo this year…well, in our dreams anyway! One of polo’s most well known ponies was a chestnut with a blaze down his face called Aiken Cura, so it was not hard to see a resemblance.
We would like to thank the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for their enthusiasm and help in making this possible. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, this non-profit accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is now supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 64 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA.
In the UK, where Nic plays from May through July, “Retraining of Racehorses” (RoR) is a similar program. They have a special scheme by which OTTBs are recognized in polo. OTTBs are marked with a special sticker so the public on the sidelines know they are OTTBs, and often a special prize is given to the best OTTB in a game. Those are two of their incentives to help generate awareness in this area.
Nic is also very active philanthropically in the area of equine welfare, via Brooke for whom he is an ambassador; as is Boyd Martin, who in turn also has a OTTB as one of his top mounts in the form of Blackfoot Mystery.
Nic and Terri will be presenting California Chrome with a halter and a stallion halter that they had specially made as token of their appreciation by Quillin Leather & Tack, Paris, Kentucky.
About Nic
Fueled by talent, charisma and passion, Nic Roldan is the present leading American polo player with an impressive 8-goal handicap rating. He is also the youngest polo player in the world to win the prestigious U.S. Open Polo title at the age of 15 and is currently Captain of the U.S. Polo Team.
Winning victoriously on all 5 continents at every goal level, Nic continues to gain worldwide acclaim. His goals are to increase awareness and participation for the sport at all levels, reach the highest accolade 10-goal status, play the Argentine Open, claim a second U.S. Open Polo title, add more worldwide Polo trophies to his cabinet and help America reclaim the infamous Westchester Cup.
Under his captaincy the U.S. Polo Team has benefitted in Internationals, as have an ever-increasing number of Beach Polo, Snow Polo and Charity events. His philanthropic involvement as team captain in Charity tournaments is widely recognized, as is his distinct modeling career. He is a dedicated ambassador to both Brooke USA and the Kids Cancer Foundation.
His commitment to popularize the sport he loves with a wider audience of younger players and new spectators reflects his passionate dedication to Polo.
Cubana’s story
Cubana (F, Chestnut, TB Name: Total Regs, by City Zip, b. 2010) is a OTTB mare who was broken in as a yearling in Kentucky by Bella Lowes. Bella remembered her fondly and commented that Cubana just had the most amazing attitude, straightforward and really “bonnie.”
Kris Kampsen & Martin Phagouape bought her as a 3-year-old, in Lexington, thanks to the help of Mt Brilliant’s Gay Bredin. Kris was keen to purchase her, as he knew her bloodline was special with her father being City Zip, one of the top sires in racing. As far as we know, Cubana is his only progeny in polo, as his bloodlines are simply unaffordable.
Kris comments that she’s an incredible mare, and as soon as he sat on her he was impressed by how effortless she made every move. Kris and Martin made her polo-ready and Kris started playing her at Grand Champions Polo Club, after which Nic bought her. She played in the 2015 East Coast Open at Greenwich Polo Club and this is her first full Florida high-goal season. She has matured into a consistent great mare, doing everything that is asked of her, an all-rounder as far as her abilities go.
This Best Playing Pony award, in a league game of the Joe Barry Cup at the International Polo Club, marks her first – and it looks like a bright future for this mare stepping up to the plate in the big league.
To see Cubana’s TB info please look here.
Nikki Walker
Nikki is an accomplished Equestrian daughter of Belinda Stronach, the President of the Stronach Group and the Pegasus World Cup. Nikki is coached by Irish Olympian Cian O’Connor in Wellington.
Kris Kampsen
Nic Roldan and fellow professional polo player Kris Kampsen have been friends for a long time, both on and off the polo field. Kris has also become a regular source of horses for Nic to add to his string, so the recognition of Cubana once more confirms Kampsen’s skill in this area. He’s always on the look out for small OTTBs, with nice bone, short cannon bones, good angle of hocks and head carriage. Kris has developed a program to make them polo-ready. If ever you think you have something he may be interested in please reach out via horses@NicRoldan.com.