Article from Medium

Roughly a year ago when I stepped out on the polo field at the Menlo Circus Club for my first riding lesson, I didn’t know what to expect. I simply came as a person who admires horses and wanted to learn more about the sport. Before this time I had a few opportunities to ride at a family ranch in Madisonville, Texas and the hills above my hometown of Oakland, California but nothing that could ever be considered serious riding. It wasn’t until I was 32 years old that I could reasonably muster the energy, resources, and time to satisfy my curiosity; and so there I was standing at the edge of a lush green field eagerly awaiting what would come next.

I didn’t know what to expect. I simply came as a person who admires horses and wanted to learn more about the sport.

I’d be delighted to tell you that the first lesson went well, the reality was the opposite. Ironically, the first words of advice given to me by owner and manager of the South Bay Polo Club, Francesca Finato, were not on the horse but on the ground. She very tactfully informed me that I put my half chaps on backwards. This of course was after she’d asked me if I’d ever ridden and I’d emphatically said “yes.” After redressing my chaps with every shred of dignity I felt I had left, I mounted a horse appropriately named “Tank.” With reins in my left hand, and mallet in my right, I was ready to hit the field. It seemed “Tank” shared my enthusiasm, trotting briskly onto the field. Unaware of what was taking place other than this powerful horse was having its way with me, I tensed up. At that moment the only thing I seemed able to do was hear Francesca call out: “keep your heels down!” At no point did I ever feel I was in any immediate danger, Francesca has great horses, but I knew at that moment if I wanted to play this game well I was going to need a plan.

I knew at that moment if I really wanted to play this game well I was going to need a plan.

After arriving back home with only a bruised ego, I set out on a goal of 100 hours of deliberate polo practice. Using only an excel spreadsheet to track focus areas, hours in the saddle, and costs, I developed a program that would productively emphasize riding and game play. I decided on 100 hours because it encouraged that I train at least two hours a week for 50 weeks.

I set out on a goal of 100 hours of deliberate Polo practice.

Now that I’ve not only reached, but exceeded the 100 hour goal, I felt it only right to share with the next crop of aspiring polo players the most important lessons and habits gained from my experience.