Gold Cup Final- La Indiana vs
King Power Foxes Photo by Clive Bennet
Nic was very clear that rule number one is the same as with any equestrian
discipline in that it’s all about the horses! These ponies are the
greatest athletes in the equine world. We ask these ponies to go flat
out, stop and turn on a dime, bump into other horses whilst swinging a
stick off the top of them, they have to be as quiet as a seaside donkey
and stop with 2 fingers! Most will be able to perform a preliminary
Dressage test to boot. The first time a racehorse’s feet hit the ground
out of the gate, it has three times its body weight on its front two feet.
How many times does a polo pony do that in a chukker? “A cutting
horse will cut a cow for a maximum of two minutes, our ponies do that
for 5 minutes or so”, Roldan comments. The ponies are the true heroes
of the game and so it’s no wonder The Jungle Book’s Rudyard Kipling
wrote a book called “The Maltese Cat” about the dialogue they share
between themselves in the pony line field side. Hearing Nic talk about
his ponies, it’s clear that he is in wonderment of them and treats them
almost as kids describing each of their personalities.
Nic tells about how last year whilst he was playing in Argentina where
at the highest level each player may take some 15 horses to a game,
that grooms casually walk with 3 ponies in one hand. He took a moment
to take in the site of seeing a whole “string” of ponies belonging
to some of the best players of the game tied to a simple strand of rope.
It could not be more alien from other disciplines where each horse is
handled with cotton gloves, but don’t be fooled, the values of these
equine athletes at that level would be on a par with that of other equine
disciplines. One big difference, though, is that mares rule in this sport,
with 80% of the horses on the field being female.
Nic goes on to explain that for the majority of polo, one can go and
watch for free, or at very little cost, and simply tail gate in your jeans
and t-shirt. People get a bit hung up on the big 3pm Sunday games,
which of course are great fun.
Nic says that people also get hooked on truly trying to understand the
rules and nuances of the game, instead of simply enjoying the experience
and taking a more immersive approach. He suggests, if possible,
try and watch the game as high up as possible to give you more of a
birds eye view, which makes it easier. If you’re not in Wellington, check
out the USPolo.org website and you will no doubt be surprised to find a
club near you. You will also find sites like chukker.tv that can bring polo
into your home by live streaming games.
An introductory polo lesson
is always great fun and as Nic highlights, if you already can ride you’re
at a huge advantage. “Give it a go”, he implores, “Who knows where
it will lead you, but beware as there is no known cure to the polo bug!”
he jips.
Top equestrians in other disciplines spend the year traveling and often
find themselves at a different show each weekend. Polo is a little different
as at the top level there are clear seasons: Palm Beach, England,
Aspen and Argentina, for example. So Nic will find himself based in
different places for several months at a time. Hence, he really gets to
know each place as an insider and so is perfectly positioned to share
some tips with us.
Nic’s insider guide to Wellington:
Having been brought up in Wellington and calling it home to this day,
Nic was a great person to ask to get a few inside tips on what the locals
refer to as “Welli-World”, the winter hub of the equestrian world:
Variety: Nic points out that Wellington truly is an equestrians dream:
the facilities, tack stores, the amazing stables etc. Often people forget
to step outside their bubble, even though it’s right on their doorstep. In
January there is one of the richest horses races in the world just down
40 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com EQUINE Lifestyle
Nic and Kimen Photo by Terri Gallitlli
/USPolo.org
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com