Although polo is often regarded as the sport of choice for young royals, the Polo Academy located on the grounds of the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club offers enthusiasts the chance to learn how to play the game in just three days.
"The three-day course is ultimately designed for absolute beginners with no previous riding experience," says Steve Thompson, a former international polo player and MD of the Academy. "We aim to equip the participants with the knowledge, understanding, skills and training for them to compete in the graduation match at the end of the course."
During the course, participants will be taught the three areas that make up the game, namely riding, mallet swing technique and rules and tactics in morning and afternoon sessions, as Thompson explains.
First things first
"Firstly, students are taught to ride polo style in rigorous and intensive sessions throughout the course," he says. "The mallet swing technique is produced by constant exercises to produce sufficient muscle memory that will help the player when they are under pressure in the game. Finally, the rules and tactics are gently introduced across all sessions. Then on the finals day, the course graduates are invited to play in their graduation chukka — a period of play lasting approximately seven minutes. It is always fascinating to watch their newly acquired skills demonstrated on the main pitch."
While many people attend the course as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, an increasing number use it as a foundation step before taking up the sport. "The general evolution for those interested in the sport is to continue with a couple of weeks of training until they are ready to join in with other aspiring players in the Academy's tuitional chukkas," he says.
"These sessions allow the participants to practise their skills in a competitive environment amongst people of a similar ability. Once a certain level of competence has been achieved they can become members of the club."
Everyone welcome
While polo may have a reputation as an elite sport, Thompson believes the UAE presents a game accessible to all levels and insists you do not need a royal budget to participate. "In the UAE teams change frequently and although the team name may remain the same, players of > an equal handicap may step in and step out at any stage," he says. "Polo is no more expensive than several other recreational pursuits such as sailing. The player always has the option of hiring horses and doesn't have to own any. On that basis, players can make themselves available for any matches suited to their ability."
A family event
The polo season runs from early October to the beginning of May. While chukkas are scheduled four times throughout the week, final matches are scheduled on the weekends and are events that can be enjoyed by the whole family. "Chukkas and matches are open for the public to come and watch," says Thompson. "On Fridays families are encouraged to bring children along and to sit by the polo field and enjoy a picnic, as they watch the afternoon's activities."
For details, check out www.dubaipoloacademy.com or call 04 3618111.
Camel polo: a twist on tradition
In November 2008, the UAE was introduced to camel polo, a new twist on the traditional game. The unique Dubai-only experience run by Gulf Ventures can be organised for private groups of between eight and 60 participants at either the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club or at Desert Palm in Al Aweer. To play, no previous equestrian or camel experience is required and no particular fitness level is necessary. Throughout the matches, a trained camel handler runs alongside the animal and as the pace of Camel Polo is slower than traditional polo, the game is less dangerous than its equestrian counterpart. The rules follow the conventional game with some minor variations. There is a strong emphasis on team work as two players work together on each participating camel. The player in front is in charge of direction while the second player sits behind the hump and is responsible for hitting the special Camel Polo ball.
The Camel Polo programme includes a training session, in which participants learn basic stick-handling techniques, followed by a short session on an obstacle course which allows participants to practice their riding skills. The event culminates with an exciting chukka to decide the winners.
Bookings can be made through the dedicated camel polo e-mail address camelpolo@dnata.com or by calling 04 404 5880.
An afternoon of royal fun
Considering my equestrian experience was limited to pony trekking on beaches as a child, I was dubious about mastering both horse riding and polo skills in one afternoon. That said, I was curious enough to put my preconceptions and fears to one side and attend one of the Polo Academy's taster courses.
After asking us to rate our horse riding skills on a level of one to ten, suitable horses were selected for us by the Academy's highly experienced team. Rating my ability as sub-zero, I was introduced to Nevada, who I was assured was the tamest polo pony in the stable. First we learned the correct way to position our bodies and the reins to indicate to the horse when and how fast to move. Then, we trotted along the pitch, holding the reins in our left hand, leaving the right hand free as this would eventually hold a polo mallet. After cantering for 20 minutes and once we had enough confidence to control the horse, we dismounted to start work on our polo techniques.
Standing in a line, the team demonstrated how to hit the small wooden ball both in a forwards and backwards direction, without causing injuring to anyone in the team or the horse, before supervising our practice shots.
Finally, we were brought out onto the pitch where the basic rules of the game were explained and we were divided into teams.
Sitting on Nevada, armed with a polo mallet and striking the only goal for my team, I felt an exhilarating thrill and understood why people become so passionate about the game. After my afternoon, I may not be a proficient player, but I doubt it will be the last time I play the game dubbed the King of Sports.
