Day Fifty-Seven: Learning to Play Polo

I meet Fernando at Chile St and Lima Av, a huge intersection where a socialist party is marching this afternoon.  He explains that these demonstrations are very common. 

We are joined by Ashing and Willy, a couple from Ireland.   We drive about an hour and arrive at the Tristan Suarez polo club.

Fernando shows us how to instruct the horses before we get on and try it ourselves. 

Chola, such a cute pup!I am riding Cumparsita, one of Fernando’s six horses, all of which are named after tango dances.  “I like to tango, but I don’t have time, so my horses are tango,” Fernando tells us. 

The horse are beautiful.  Polo horses are a mix between thoroughbreds and workhorses.  “Thoroughbreds for speed and workhorses for strength,” Fernando explains.  They are also incredibly well trained.  They don’t begin their training until they are four, then after two years of training they are ready to play.

It is hard to hit the ball at first but I start to get the hang of it.  Cumpersita knows to follow the ball.  After practicing the technique, Fernando explains the rules before we play a match.  The rules and strategies are quite complicated but we play a relaxed game.  

I have a new found respect for polo players and horses.  I imagine it gets easier with practice but there are so many things to keep track of when you first learn something.   At least I know how to ride though.  Ashing and Willy have never rode horses before and have a hard time just getting comfortable on the animals.

Cumpersita, me and FernandoOn the drive back into the city Fernando tells us about his previous job as a lecturer at Buenos Aires University.  He taught macroeconomics and business law.  He started playing polo four years ago and it soon became his life.  Now he plays semi-professionally and he plays or teaches everyday, or “everyday that it’s not raining,” he explains.

Comments

[Fernando Nieto]

Very nice meeting you Katie, wish you the best!