Conference noted::equitation

    I spent many a Sunday begging for a hotwalking job at
    Myopia, while mom & dad watched the polo.....
    
    There isn't any Polo around here.....(Southeastern MA)

    re -1
    
    Are you sure there isn't?  There used to be a place in Rehoboth, Fox
    Lea Farm, that had arena polo, and they also gave lessons.  I think
    there was another nearby place that had polo matches also....
    
    Hey, did you ever get a twisted snaffle to try on your critter?
    
    -ellie

    In Rehoboth, Hmmm?  I'll have to call a friend to see if
    that may be.....
    
    No, on the bit.....I had a talk with the rider, and after
    a few "whoa" lessons, she has improved enough....
    

    So there *is* some interest in polo out there in NOTESland!
    
    Re .0:
    >  Any noters out there interested in the game of Polo besides myself?
    
    Hey "Buck," did you forget about me??  Yup, I'm still around -- even
    though I'm seldom seen in the notesfile (READ mainly).
    
    Myopia is indeed the main place in the New England area, but there
    are other clubs around.  Like the one I belong to, which is Byfield
    Polo Club, based in Byfield, MA.  It's on the North Shore, just north
    of Georgetown and Topsfield.  And we're probably the only ones around
    playing indoors throughout the winter -- we'll most likely be using
    the arena at Sabbath Day Farm, and possibly Majestic Meadows in
    Stratham, NH, as well.
    
    We'll play wherever we can, basically, as our own facilities are
    limited at this time.  We do play at Myopia -- the outdoor arena -- and
    are doing that every Sunday afternoon until the weather (mainly frozen
    ground) forces us indoors.
    
    I think Fox Lea is no longer in business -- or at least not polo -- but
    there are other clubs in the southeastern Mass. area (Rehoboth, in
    fact).  I'll list the New England clubs in a subsequent note for
    reference.
    
    For that matter, if anyone is interested in other areas of the country,
    I can list those as well.
    
    steve
    
     

    Thanks, Steve!  
    
    I live in Southeastern MA, so Rehoboth is nearby!!!
    
    Lynne

    Glad I could help, Lynne.  Or, at least I hope this does help.
    I'm not personally acquainted with the people there, but I think
    I've heard of a substantial program there (i.e., beginner lessons
    and all that). 
    
    Let me know how you make out.  Meanwhile, I'll make some inquiries
    to see if there's anything new going on since that list was put
    together (it's from the '91 USPA blue book, which lists all the
    members and clubs that made their payments in time for publication).
    
    steve
     

    RE: -1 and -3
    
    Woah, STeve!!  Didn't think you were still around the ENET!
    
    I'm looking to better my polo skills, but also I have a new-found
    interest in western-style riding.  I want to get good at barrel
    racing, pole bending, and similar rodeo-style events.  Off to look
    for an appropo note.

    re: .7
    
    There is a pole bending clinic next Memorial day weekend in Maine
    somewhere, put on by Martha Jose's folks (I think).  Just went
    to a barrel clinic in Oneco Ct by them.  I'll post the info when
    I get it.
    
    

    RE: .7
    
    > I'm looking to better my polo skills, but also I have a new-found
    > interest in western-style riding.  I want to get good at barrel
    > racing, pole bending, and similar rodeo-style events. 
    
    Well, it sounds like you've really gotten your equestrian endeavors
    underway since I last talked with you.  Did you buy a horse?  Lease?
    Borrow??  Beg or steal???
    
    Diversification is great -- you'll be well rounded -- but appropos this
    note topic, where have you been playing polo?  And how/where are you going
    about improving your skills?
    

    RE: .13
    
    Good question.  Maybe the game started out as pole-o!
    
    Of course, as a polo advocate, I know that's not the case.  Maybe
    a new note is called for (?), for you pole and barrel benders.
    Whatever.
    
    But if anyone out there is interested, there's plenty to discuss about
    polo -- such as rules, strategies, riding style, technique, horses, 
    training, players, tips on just about any aspect...I could go on.
    
    By the way, the United States Polo Association (USPA) is actively
    seeking to increase American participation in the sport, and, in
    particular, to better officiate its own games.  To that end, it offers
    umpire clinics periodically in various parts of the country.
    
    AND, to encourage young riders to try the sport, it offers pony-club 
    programs.  If any of you know of pony clubbers who are looking to try
    something new, I can get you more of the particulars.
    
    As for the above-mentioned discussion topics, the rules alone are
    fascinating.  On one hand, they're simple.  On the other hand, they can
    seem complex and judgmental.  That's because the basic scheme of the
    game is straightforward: to hit the ball through the goalposts, and
    prevent the opposing team from doing so.  All the rest of the rules are
    set up to keep the game as safe and controlled as possible.  Most fouls
    are based on creating a potentially dangerous situation for horse
    and/or rider, and some depend on the judgment of the umpire(s).  (Speed
    and closeness of the play are principal factors.)   The penalties
    awarded depend on the severity of the foul.
    
    The rulebook tends to carry revisions each year, usually to correct
    new or recurring problems, but often to clarify some existing (and
    sometimes misinterpreted) rules.  So it really helps to have someone
    with whom you can discuss the rules, in order to fully grasp them.
    
    I'd love it if we could get a bunch of noters together for a polo
    session -- and/or pickup match!
    
    steve
    

    I could have sworn I'd posted a reply with a list of New England
    area polo clubs.  Did it get moved along with some other replies,
    or did I just space out and forget to pull it in here? 
    
    Probably the latter, so I'll try again. 
    
    steve

USPA Club, location 	Phone 		Delegate
-------------------	-----		--------

Byfield Polo Club 	508-467-9473 	Ed Armstrong
  Byfield, MA

Down East Polo Club	603-797-2280 	Mike Andrew
  Falmouth, ME

Greenwich Polo Club	203-661-3344	Peter Brant
  Greenwich, CT

Myopia Polo Club 	508-468-4433 	Neil St. John Raymond	
  So. Hamilton, MA

Newport Polo Club 	508-473-5242 	Charles Henry Carson	
  Newport, RI

Ox Ridge Polo Club 	203-655-2559 	Donatien Langlois
  Darien, CT

Quechee Polo Club 	802-457-1912 	Dr. Stephen Roberts
  Quechee, VT

Salem Valley Polo Club	203-526-4117	Richard Whitehead, III
  Salem, CT

Shallowbrook Polo Club	203-749-0749	Hal A. Vita
  Somers, CT

South Meadow Polo Club	203-575-0780	Robert Matthews
  Woodbury, CT

Southern New England 	401-438-6400 	Jack Gallagher
 Polo Club 
  Rehoboth, MA 

Stowe Polo Club		802-888-7685	John Bourgeois
  Stowe, VT

Sugarbush Polo Club	802-434-2662	Richard Kellogg
  Waitsfield, VT

West River Polo Club	802-824-3587	Scott Howe
  South Londonderry, VT

Yale Polo Association	203-527-5969	Guy Gengras
  Essex, CT
    

  Last night on Chronicle they had a short story on a man in Reading(?)
  (definitely MA anyway) who teaches polo. 

    That would be Peter Poor.  I missed it, but someone at work filled me
    in.  Naturally.  (Polo is so seldom shown on TV, and I *always* miss
    it!!)  
    

    Does anyone out there have cable with SportsChannel (that is, the
    official Celtics station--not ESPN, ESN, etc.)? 

    As I said in the last reply, polo is very seldom featured on TV, and
    whenever it is, it's always on a station that I can't get!  Always.  In
    this case, the 1991 U.S. Open Championship will be shown on the
    SportsChannel at the following dates/times:

	Saturday, December 7 	5 p.m.

	Saturday, December 28 	5 p.m.

    I'm looking for a kind volunteer to please tape it for me.  If anyone
    out there can help me out, please contact me through e-mail, phone, or
    even right here.

    Thanks,

    Steve  
    MR4DEC::FRISSELLE 	DTN 297-3483

    

    
    Caught a few minutes of an indoor polo match on (I don't know
    what) channel.
    
    Interesting....they use the walls to move the ball.
    

    
    I happened across the Cartier International at Windsor Great Park on
    Sunday - only saw England against Chile up to the fifth chukka.  Does
    anyone know the result of this game and also the Canada vs HRH Prince
    of Wales which followd?
    
    

    Nuts...polo is so seldom covered on TV, and I never hear about it when
    it is...until after the fact.  I think indoor polo is especially rare
    on the tube.
    
    It's a bit different from the outdoor game.  As you noted, they bounce
    the ball off the walls, so that offers a different slant on strategies.
    The fact that the ball itself is different changes the style, too.
    It's a larger, inflated ball, somewhat larger than a softball. 
    Actually, those small, kiddie-sized soccer balls that you might have
    seen at some sporting goods stores are the same size (we use 'em a lot
    because they're cheaper, even if they don't last as long as an regular
    indoor polo ball). 
    
    Because of the smaller "field" and bouncy ball, there's more emphasis
    on dribbling/turning skills, and less on power hits and high-end speed.
    
    -steve
      
    
     

    
    Also, the ball doesn't hurt the horse when it bounces of the
    legs, neck, head, etc.