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Spring Season

After two months of getting the ponies fit, visits from the farrier and lots of stick & ball, the new polo season has finally started! At the yard we are busy playing on our own newly-mowed ground with lessons, Wednesday evening instructional chukkas and making young ponies. And down the road at Kirtlington Park Polo Club, tournaments and club chukkas are underway.

Martin's coaching has been in big demand; experienced players who want to sharpen up their skills at the start of the season; beginners who are loving our experienced school ponies; and the Oxford University team who are planning on a victorious season-and they are looking good. Actually whatever your polo experience, having a bit of coaching will improve your playing and make sure you don't develop any bad habits. One of our players pointed out "the ponies have had weeks to get fit, now I need a few lessons to catch up with them!"

The Icelandic volcano (free lesson for anyone who can pronounce the name of the volcano whilst hitting a goal-scoring nearside) stopped long enough for our young pro Sebastian Chialvo to catch his delayed flight from Argentina. Sebastian is bringing on the youngsters in the yard-all young thoroughbreds who Martin spotted and brought into polo. Sebastian is especially pleased with three year old Happy, who has already played chukkas this season and five year old Frost who has graduated to playing games.

Sebastian's riding and polo is a joy to watch, beautifully effortless and naturally athletic. But like so many talented players, Sebastian has had years of training and experience. Sebastian started riding on the Argentine pampas at the age of 3 and says he was taught the correct technique from the start "lessons, lessons, lessons" (which is why you should book a few with Martin!). Sebastian then spent five years with an

Argentine seven-goaler before he came to the UK three seasons ago-and he is still only 23. Sebastian is playing off 1 goal right now, but watch this space….!

Ciara de la Cour is back working in the yard this season again and keeping up her reputation as most glamorous polo groom at the club parties. Hannah Montford has joined us from a racing and eventing background and is loving working with polo ponies who are far more sensible than racehorses.

Next time in our blog: An update on the first tournaments of the season, another pony profile and some suggestions for great pubs and other post-polo activities in the neighbourhood.

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