You would think that one would need to travel to Britain, India, or Argentina, in order to partake in a polo match. However, I was able to enjoy my first polo outing this summer just about an hour’s drive outside of Chicago. When I received an invitation from the Arranmore Farm & Polo Club to do the “toss in” for the Chicago Polo Cup Finals, I did a little research on the history of polo. I discovered that polo could possibly be the oldest recorded team sport in known history. The sport originated in Persia and became a training method for elite cavalry that protected their Kings. Polo eventually evolved into a noble pastime and became known as “the game of kings”.
As we arrived at Arranmore, I couldn’t imagine a more picturesque setting to take in my first polo match. The grounds consisted of three-hundred acres, which were beautifully manicured. The stables were perfectly aligned in a row so that you could look directly into the next. The horses were beautiful and the atmosphere was engaging. The “toss in” to start the match is basically equivalent to throwing out the first pitch in baseball. I was surrounded by incredible
athletes and powerful
horses. All guests had the
opportunity to sip
champagne, drink wine,
and nibble on delicious
food prepared on site.
One of the highlights of
the championship match
was the “Parade of
Hounds”, which
showcased about a dozen
hounds collectively
running down the field of
play that prompted
spectators to quickly pull
out their cell phones and
snap their best photos.
Arranmore Farm and Polo
Club is located in Oswego,
IL and is privately owned.
They not only host polo
matches, but weddings, concerts, and unique events such as the Soul Love Fest, a two-day retreat that welcomed thousands of yogis. The venue is absolutely spectacular and it’s a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle city life.
As more polo matches are popping up around the U.S. I think this sport will undoubtedly become more popular, especially with those socialites searching for something different. Some believe that polo represents the pinnacle of sport, because of the relationship between the horse and its rider. There is a famous verse etched in stone on the polo grounds in Gilgit, Pakistan that reads: "Let others play at other things. The king of games is still the game of kings." Play on players, play on.