Want to Learn to Play
Polo?
Introductory Courses:
The first
step for the new player is to take one of our introductory courses.
We offer a number of ways for you to do that:
·
Taste
of Polo (1-groups
of 5) scheduled at your convenience
·
Private lessons (1-3 players) scheduled at your convenience
·
Group Lessons (12 players)-‘Orientation to Polo’, sessions –held 4 times per season
·
Clinics-three
days of polo immersion-3 dates during the season
Riding Ability
At
Brandywine Polo Academy we make polo players.
Prospective players need a basic level of riding ability before starting
to play polo. You must possess
reasonable supple hands and be comfortable riding at all gaits.
Polo tack is English however, proficient western riders are welcome.
If you are unsure of your ability come see us and we can do a riding
assessment. Furthermore, we can
recommend local venues for riding instruction.
Next Steps
For many
these introductory sessions are enough to satisfy ones curiosity for the sport
before moving on to a different leisure activity.
For those that want to continue the average players should expect to
invest 20-25 hours in introductory courses prior to moving on to playing
organized chukka’s of polo. At BPA
here is the normal pathway we offer to becoming a playing member of BPC.
·
Instructional Chukka’s
These chukkas are designed for new players that have
progressed to the point where they are ready to begin playing within a
controlled environment. All chukkas
are played in the arena. Ten to
fifteen sessions at this level should prepare you to move onto normal games.
·
Arena Games
Umpired games twice a week at two different ability levels.
At this point you are playing with amateur as well as professional
players.
·
Arena Tournaments
USPA tournaments played four times a year at Brandywine Polo
Club involving local as well as visiting teams.
Participation at this level should be possible for most dedicated player
in year 2.
·
Outdoor Polo
Chukka’s, games and tournaments on the field usually occur
after building a strong playing base in
the arena however, some players go directly to the field.
90% of polo in the US is played outdoors.
It is faster, more open and therefore, requires a greater ability level
for players and horses. BPA offers
instruction and horse for hire to participate in outdoor polo at Brandywine Polo
Club.
Taste of Polo
New this year BPA is pleased to offer a course designed for those with minimal
riding skills and the desire to try polo. This safe and fun one-and a half hour
experience will include everything that you need to know about polo including
hitting the ball off our wooden horse.
We will cover all the basics of the horse and game, as well as a brief
overview of rules and strategy. Consider it the Cliff Notes of polo.
Target Market
·
Non riders that want to know more about the sport
Available Times:
·
Scheduled at your
convenience
Requirements:
·
All necessary
equipment provided
Prices
·
$50 per session-minimum 3 participants
Sign-Up
Contact
Scottwbrown@verizon.net or 302 897 0912
Private
Lessons
Personalized lessons are available with one of our qualified instructor on a
frequency to fit your time schedule and learning needs.
We recommend class sizes of 1-3 people but will tailor any size class to
meet your needs.
Target Market
·
Potential players that want to learn the sport quickly
·
Small groups of riders that want to experience the sport of polo on their own
timetable
Available Times:
·
Monday’s 1-5pm
·
Tuesday’s 1-5pm
·
Friday’s 1-5pm
·
Saturday’s 1-3pm
·
Sunday 9-noon
Requirements:
·
Basic riding
ability
·
Riding boots
·
Riding Helmet
Prices
·
$85 per hour for 1 player
·
$140 per hour for 2 players
·
$180 per hour for 3 players
·
$50 per player for groups of 4 or more.
Prices
include horses and grooms. Mallets
provided.
Sign-Up
Contact
Scottwbrown@verizon.net or 302 897 0912
Group Lessons
BPA offers
a groups lesson called Orientation to
Polo. The lesson is a 7 week
series that covers:
·
Polo equitation
·
Hitting techniques
·
Rules
·
Game strategy
The course
ends with a graduation tournament where participants will actually play several
game chukkas.
Target Market
·
New participants interested in the sport
·
Groups interested in playing together
Available Times and Class Sizes
Classes are
generally 10-12 students and are limited to 15 players per session on a first
come first serve basis
Wednesday’s from 6-7:30pm
·
May 5th-June 16th
·
June 30th-August 18 (no
class July 21st)
Saturday from 9:30-11am
·
May 15th-June 26th
·
Sept 4th-October 9th
(will add 1 Wed. night session)
Requirements:
·
Basic riding
ability
·
Riding boots
·
Riding Helmet
Prices
·
$350 for the course ($50 per session)
Prices
include horses and some grooming however; players are taught how to tack for
polo. Mallets provided.
Sign-up
Contact BPA
at
Scottwbrown@verizon.net or 302 897 0912.
Polo Clinics
The three
day Introduction to Polo Clinics are designed to give the participant a total
immersion into polo. Clinics run
from 10 am on Friday through Sunday afternoon ending with a tailgate graduation
party field side at the 3pm outdoor Brandywine match.
Participants will ride and play for 3-4
hours per day and be schooled in polo equitation, hitting techniques, rules and
game strategy. In addition,
participants will be introduced to the polo lifestyle with an Argentine assado
and wine tasting Saturday night.
Tasteful local accommodation is available.
There are numerous non-polo activities available in the Brandywine Valley
should you wish to bring your significant other.
Target Market
·
New participants interested in the sport
·
Groups interested in a team building experience
Available Times and Class Sizes
Clinics
will be limited to 8 players per session on a first come first serve basis
Friday from 10am-Sunday at 5pm
·
June 4-June 6th
·
August 27th-August 29th
·
September 12-September 14th
Requirements:
·
Basic riding
ability
·
Riding boots
·
Riding Helmet
Prices
·
$600 per session
Prices
include 3 days of instruction and playing time with horses and grooms included.
Price also includes Saturday night dinner and wine tasting and Sunday
Afternoon tailgate party. Local
accommodation information available through BPA.
Sign-up
Contact BPA
at
Scottwbrown@verizon.net or 302 897 0912.
