Richmond & Barnes Magazines

Polo

Polo is an exciting sport to watch but even more so to play. Lucky then that Ham Polo Club, based in Richmond, offers polo lessons with a number of HPA qualified coaches. The polo school offers several ways to learn the sport:

• Introduction Group Sessions cost £50 +VAT and are for people who have never tried polo before but are thinking about taking it up. The sessions are run at 4pm on Thursdays and give you the chance to learn a bit about polo and meet other novices (Click here to learn the rules of polo). The session lasts no more than 40 minutes and gives attendees the opportunity to ride one of the school ponies.
• Private lessons cost £95 and are the fastest way to pick up polo. The session lasts one hour with horse hire included. In a private lesson your coach will be able to devote his full attention to developing your riding and hitting techniques. People who pay for a block of five private lessons up front get a sixth for free.
• Group lessons cost £75 per person and offer the chance to learn to play in a group with friends. Again the session lasts one hour and is spent on the polo ponies working on riding skills and hitting the ball. Lessons can be booked for groups of up to 10 people. Packages for group bookings on a Sunday can be arranged to include lunch in the club house enclosure or a gourmet picnic. Click here for information on lesson times.
• Instructional Chukkas cost £120 per chukka and provide learner players with a safe introduction to competitive polo. The coaches will be on the field with their pupils making sure you learn the right techniques and have fun. They take place Wednesdays 6pm-7pm and Saturdays from 12 noon.