POLO: Time to consider hockey on horseback (From Swindon Advertiser)

POLO: Time to consider hockey on horseback

5:50am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Sport By Ned Payne

BE HONEST, what do you actually know about polo?

Unless you have grown up with it or been introduced to it by a partner or family member, the answer to that question is probably not a lot.

For years, polo - which put simply is hockey on horseback - has struggled with the perception that it is somehow a pastime of the elite, that it is expensive to take part in, that it is more of a scene than a sport.

But in the village of Inglesham, to the north of Highworth, married couple Guy and Charlotte Verdon are aiming to shift attitudes.

“I hope people’s feelings are changing about the sport, possibly they are slowly,” said Charlotte, who joint-runs Lynt Polo Club with her husband.

“Polo is frowned upon by the other equestrian disciplines, it’s not televised, it’s not covered by the newspapers, it’s just not very well-publicised.

“Publicity is given to the top end of the sport, the high goal, whereas the low goal end is not really covered, but it’s such an approachable level and that’s what we need to develop.

“It’s unrealistic to keep a sport as an elitist thing, we need all the support we can get and we need people to enjoy it at all different levels.”

Perched on the back of the beautifully-manicured Libgatt in the club’s large indoor facility, I am wondering if riding is for me.

But having been introduced by Guy to the rudiments of steering the eight-year-old ex-racehorse - known as a pony in polo - I am handed a long mallet and instructed to hit a ball.

Tapping it is easy, but whacking it a long way while guiding Libgatt is something else altogether, requiring a great deal of technique and precision. Nevertheless, it’s strangely addictive, and I begin to see why people enjoy the team game at full pelt.

The Verdons took over at Lynt Farm in March 2010 and began giving lessons last year to players of all ages, who possess a wide range of abilities.

Children and students wishing to get involved can have group lessons at a rate of £35 an hour plus VAT, with 10 lessons likely to be sufficient before players can join in with club chukkas.

“The skill of controlling a horse at a gallop and hitting a ball is pretty impressive,” added Charlotte.

“You see the best of these ponies and to see a racehorse being retrained and given another chance is hugely satisfying.

“Most of our young ponies are coming straight from the stables at Lambourn, so it’s all very local.”

With six pitches at Lynt Farm, both indoor and outdoor, the sport can be played all-year round, with the summer season due to start in the middle of April.

There are opportunities for local business to sponsor tournaments in exchange for providing prizes, and corporate days are available.