Intensive Polo Training

Learn to play polo in just one day! The day's tuition is normally based on the following programme, sometimes amended to consider specific individual requirements. On a four-day course, the programme encompasses a progressive range of skills with exercises increasing in complexity.

Four-Day course available Tuesday to Friday, daily Course any day Tuesday to Friday throughout the year.

Daily Programme
10.00 am	Arrive and be welcomed with morning coffee and a discussion on the plan for the day.
10.15 am	Warm up exercises followed by demonstration of the polo swing.
10.30 am	Begin with a concentrated session on the mechanical horse, learning or rectifying the basic polo swings to improve both accuracy and direction.
11.00 am	Polo Riding. Improve your skills, concentrating on the general aids, stopping, turning and balance on the horse.
11.45 pm	Stick And Ball. Guided by your instructor practice hitting the ball from the horse at all speeds.
12.30 pm	Theory over lunch - on a board with miniature men, or a discussion in front of a video. General discussions on the rules and regulations, penalties and positions etc. A variety of topics and questions are discussed in depth.
1.30 pm	Discussion time. Some of the following aspects will be covered: Umpiring and Refereeing, Polo Equipment, Stable Management and Grooming, including feeding and exercise in preparation for polo, Veterinary and Farrier, Tack and Bitting.
2.00 pm	'Stick and Ball' session / practice chukkas with discussion covering tactical plays on the ground, hooking, riding off and positional plays in the game.
3.00 pm	GRADUATION MATCH Participants are invited to play in a full two chukka match.
4.00 pm	De-brief and discussion over afternoon tea.
5.00 pm	Time to relax and head home for a hot ‘Radox bath’.

The Four Day Intensive Polo Course is designed to provide intensive, customised polo tuition for any level of player, from the new player who wants a broad introduction to the game, to the more advanced player wanting to hone their skills.

For the new polo player, the course will provide, in a graduated programme:

• An introduction to Polo Theory, Tactics and Rules
• Instruction in all four main polo shots using crates, wooden horse and short sticks
• Introduction and development of polo riding
• “Stick and Ball” sessions – hitting the ball on horseback to develop skills in each polo shot
• Instructional chukkas played with instructors and other players to bring it all together
• A Graduation Match where you will play a full four chukkas match with other players

For the more advanced player, the four days will be customised during a discussion and assessment with your Instructor on the first day. Based on your stage of polo and your development needs in the various core areas, your Instructor will develop a programme that gives you most benefit and progression from your four days at Ascot Park.  The Four Day Intensive Course is available Tuesday to Friday.

A Typical Daily Programme for a Player new to polo
10.00 am	Arrive and be welcomed with morning coffee and a discussion on the plan for the day.
10.15 am	Warm up exercises followed by demonstration of the polo swing.
10.30 am	Begin with a concentrated session on the mechanical horse, learning or rectifying the basic polo swings to improve both accuracy and direction.
11.00 am	Polo Riding. Improve your skills, concentrating on the general aids, stopping, turning and balance on the horse.
11.45 am	Stick And Ball. Guided by your instructor practice hitting the ball from the horse at all speeds.
12.30 pm	Theory over lunch - on a board with miniature men, or a discussion in front of a video. General discussions on the rules and regulations, penalties and positions etc. A variety of topics and questions are discussed in depth.
1.30 pm	Discussion time. Some of the following aspects will be covered: Umpiring and Refereeing, Polo Equipment, Stable Management and Grooming, including feeding and exercise in preparation for polo, Veterinary and Farrier, Tack and Bitting.
2.00 pm	'Stick and Ball' session / practice chukkas with discussion covering tactical plays on the ground, hooking, riding off and positional plays in the game.
3.00 pm	On the final day: A GRADUATION MATCH Participants are invited to play in a full four chukka match.
4.00 pm	De-brief and discussion over afternoon tea.
4.30 pm	Time to relax and head home for a hot ‘Radox bath’.