by Cassidy Nunn –
The horse trailers are lined up beside the playing field and several horses stand tied to the side of the trailers as saddles are put on and adjusted, legs carefully wrapped in brightly-coloured bandages and bridles eased over the horses’ heads as the riders prepare for their Sunday afternoon chukkers at the Victoria Polo Club (VPC). The day is slightly cloudy and cooler, perfect weather for galloping back and forth on a 300-yard field.
Several riders are out on the field already, swinging mallets and trotting towards the small white ball rolling along the grass. These keen riders are the next generation of polo players, and the members of the VPC have generously offered their own horses to these riders to use for practise before the official polo match with the club members begins. The members of this club are encouraging to any new players who would like to come out and give the game a go. The prerequisite to trying polo is knowing how to ride a horse, or at least having a strong desire to learn. It takes a lot of skill and balance in order to lean over the side of a galloping horse while swinging a massive mallet!
Steve Mann, the President of the Victoria Polo Club and owner of the club grounds, rides out onto the field on one of his horses as the 7½ minute chukker – the period of playing time in this sport – prepares to get under way. Steve, who says he’s always had a love for horses, discovered the game of polo and knew that it was the sport for him. He purchased the 22.5 acres in Central Saanich back in 1996 with polo in mind. What once was a rough hay field was eventually transformed into the flat playing field, clubhouse, barn, grass grazing fields and paddocks for the horses. The barn on the property is home to around 15 horses, give or take depending on the time of year, and this includes a few boarding horses that don’t play polo. Steve stables his horses at home and keeps his retired polo horses as well. “They’re your partner in the game,” he says, and as such, he gives them the retirement they deserve.
Many of the polo horses “have come into polo when they’re done their racing careers,” says Steve, and their speed shows as the thoroughbreds fly down the field in pursuit of the elusive ball. The breed is popular in polo because of their stamina and speed, but they’re not the only type of horse used and in this club, a few quarter horses and other mixed breeds play the game just as competitively. The horses are all fast and fit, chomping on their bits and just as keen as their riders.
Currently, there are 10 members of the VPC and most have their own horses – a few live at the polo club and the others are trailered in from nearby farms. Many players opt to let the horses out on pasture to rest in the off season and bring them back into condition during the spring.
Polo season begins in mid- to late-May, once the grass has dried enough to permit 1,000-pound animals with shod hooves to gallop back and forth without destroying the surface, and runs to the end of September. The riders are at the mercy of mother nature, as too much rain will make the field slippery and dangerous to play on, so the Wednesday evening practice and Sunday afternoon games are always dependent on weather conditions. These events are open to the public and the members are incredibly friendly and welcoming as they clearly enjoy sharing their exciting sport.
Every Labour Day weekend the Lieutenant Governor’s Cup tournament is held at the Polo Club and welcomes players and horses from clubs on the mainland and the United States. It’s always a busy weekend filled with several matches and lots of excitement. It’s free and open to the public to come and experience this “Game of Kings” so if you’re looking for a fun afternoon activity or just an excuse to wear a wide brimmed hat (just kidding, there’s no dress code for this club!) be sure to
check out a game this season. For more information visit
www.victoriapolo.com.
Photo by Nunn Other Photography
