UofLpolo

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Join Us

Are you interested in playing polo? We are always looking for new members. If you are faculty, undergraduate or graduate student -- we are interested in having you on our team. Although there are eligibility restrictions for varsity members, anyone in the community can come to learn with us. We accept riders of all backgrounds, including those who have never saddled up a real mount before. We will teach you about horse care, how to ride, and the rules of the game. It does take some time to pick up, but it is well worth the time and effort. Members are charged dues to help with the expenses of caring for our horses and facilities. E-mail us if you want to get involved.

Contact Us

Email is uoflpoloteam@yahoo.com

Address :

University of Louisville Polo Club
SAC W 310
Louisville, KY 40292

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I eligible to play?
2. Do I have to know how to ride a horse?
3. When are practices?
4. How are practices conducted?
5. How much does it cost to play?
6. Can I try before I commit to paying all year?
7. How intensive is fundraising?
8. Do need to have a polo horse?
9. Do I need to buy any equipment?
10. Where does UofL Polo Club practice?
11. Is there a car pool?
12. Where do you travel when you play away games?
13. I have a question not included in this list.

Am I eligible to play?

Everyone can play, but only full time undergraduate students with good academic standing can compete against teams in intercollegiate matches. We do hold intra-club tournaments and matches for members ineligible for intercollegiate play. Graduate students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to learn polo, and practice with the team. Members must sign a waiver stating that they are in good health and are able to play.

Do I have to know how to ride a horse?

No previous riding experience is required, although most find it helpful when learning the sport of polo. We plan on facilitating lessons for novice riders in the fall season to give a leg up to those just learning to ride and new to horse care.

When are practices?

Since the summer outdoor polo season will continue into mid October, we will be practicing on Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving at 4:00 PM to tack horses, and being ready to get on at 5:00 PM. After the outdoor season ends practices will be held every Tuesday and Thursday. Members will be asked to arrive at 4:00 PM and be ready to ride by 5:00 PM. Saturday practices will be held with arrival at 10:00 AM and practice beginning at 11:00 AM.

How are practices conducted?

The first practice of the week will be focused on the beginner polo player. Junior Varsity or beginner focus nights will include: swing basics, riding drills and polo rules. After members have mastered the basics, beginner practices will progress towards instructional chukkas (an arena polo match is composed of 4 chukkas, a time period of 7:00 minutes not including time-outs and foul shots). The second practice of the week will be Varsity focus practice nights which will include drills and faster practice chukkas. On Saturdays there will be focus on playing chukkas in preparation for competition.

How much does it cost to play?

Membership fees are described in the table below. All payments must be made before you ride. This is to ensure the financial security of the club by preventing non-payment. This does allow an exception of a single practice for new members to come and try things out. Despite this, it can take months to gain full understanding of the rules, and appreciation of the game. To most, learning polo is an exciting challenge.

Dues alone cannot support our club Fundraising is required for members and will be offered in a variety of ways. Our mission is to make polo an affordable sport for college students, enabling more people to play and appreciate the sport. Doing this takes hard work and effort, but we hope that everyone can contribute and experience the personal reward that polo can offer.

_{*Fall and Spring have different months in the semester.}
 

_{**Varsity chukkas are limited to persons who have played in the past, or who have been members in the past.}

Can I try before I commit to paying all year?

Yes! New members are allowed one practice to come out and learn a little about polo. However, polo is a sport that takes months to learn and years to master. It takes an increased amount of time to learn if your horseback riding experience is limited. Because of this polo requires an amount of dedication and persistence from individuals willing to learn.

How intensive is fundraising?

This year we plan on doing several fundraising events. Events may include showing up and helping with golf benefits, helping to sell advertising or t-shirts, or even offering your time volunteering on the fundraising committee. Dues paid by the team typically cover less than one fifth of our projected budget which is why fundraising is so important to our team’s success. Members are required to actively participate in 2 fundraisers per year, it is a great way to bond with your team mates and support your team.

Do I need to have a polo horse?

No. We provide horses. We have horses for all different levels of riding experience. We have horses that have been around for awhile and competed in high-level polo in their past lives. We have horses that are enjoyable to experienced riders. Like humans, horses all have their own personalities, and our coach will help match personalities with horse and rider when horse assignments are made at practices.

Polo horses are typically of even temperament and are not easily startled. Intensive training is required to accustom horses to polo play. Swinging mallets, tight corners and bumping into other horses would give most horses severe anxiety, but with the training polo horses receive they are capable of remaining level headed in game situations. Some horses really enjoy polo and know what to expect from games and follow plays. If you believe your horse is a polo horse prospect we can review options on a case by case basis. If you have your own horse, and are looking for local boarding, we can suggest locations and help with horse-people networking.

Do I need to buy any equipment?

No. UofL Polo will provide tack, helmets, and mallets for members. It is suggested that members wear riding boots (or shoes with a heel) while practicing and while we have a few old pairs lying around, there is no guarantee that they will fit. Many members that plan on being on the team for a full year end up purchasing mallets, riding chaps, helmets, gloves and other accessories for personal use, as a preference over using public equipment. We can provide references to sellers of polo equipment and riding apparel.

Where does UofL Polo Club practice?

Directions

• To Flur de Lis Farm:
• Take 71 North to exit 22
• Turn left at the end of the exit ramp
• Go through the town, turn right on Old Sligo Road
• After approximately 2 miles, turn right on Forest View Lane
• Go to the end of Forest View Lane, you will see two driveways directly in front of you. Take the driveway on the left and park in the provided spaces

Is there a car pool?

Not yet. After the first few practices we will work out carpooling arrangements. Many students live on or near campus, which would make travel to practice more accommodating.

Where do you travel when you play away games?

We have traveled to schools in Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana and California for matches in the past. This year we are working on scheduling matches with Skidmore, Perdue, University of Kentucky, Virginia and other schools as the season progresses. Often matches are scheduled last-minute so there will be flexibility in our schedule in the future.

I have a question not included in this list.

Please e-mail us at uoflpoloteam@yahoo.com