No horsing around at Prague Polo Club

When people think about casual sports to take on in their spare time, the choices are pretty basic: tennis, swimming, maybe even soccer - not polo. But the Prague Polo Club, led by President Naveed Gill, is determined to make the sport accessible to anyone, regardless of their finances or horse-riding experience.

"If I put you on a polo pony, you would hit the ball within 15 minutes, even if you've never ridden before," Gill said. "As long as both your arms physically work, you're going to hit the ball. Whether that inspires you is another question."

Gill's philosophy at the Prague Polo Club is less about the club and more about polo. Since its creation in 2008, the club has grown to about a dozen members, but has put many more people than that on a polo field through lessons offered in a range of forms. Anyone who wants to venture out to the picturesque countryside of Chlumec nad Cidlinou, about a 45-minute drive from Prague, can jump on a polo pony and take a swing.

A whole menu of lessons is listed on the club website, including individual lessons with a professional polo player Julio Alberto Polarolo, or with Gill. Or, individuals can choose to take part in a practice game with other members of the club, where Gill and Polarolo provide real-time coaching. Alternatively, interested parties can make it an event among friends with a group lesson.

For those inspired by the experience, becoming a club member for 12,000 Kč per year allows full access to use the polo field and discounts on fees and courses. Student members pay just 6,000 Kč per year.

Expanding the sport

The mood at the club during a Thursday night match between members was nothing like the stereotypical image of high society taking their afternoon sport, but was simply a laid-back game among friends. Players of all ages alternated between a few bouts of real competition to score points and slowing down plays to help less experienced members get some practice in.

"What I like about polo is riding the horses and having a goal, playing a game," said Ivan Hondré, who decided to become a full member this year after playing a couple times last year.

"It's a mistake to think polo is just all about hitting a ball," he said. First, it's about strategic positioning, keeping track of 'your man' on the opposing team, and making sure your team doesn't lose the ball, he said.

"And then, afterward, maybe you can hit the ball. But of course I just see the ball, and I forget the horse, the man and my technique and go for the ball. What I love about polo is the sport, and what I like about Naveed is that he doesn't want to create an elite club. He just wants people to play polo, and I think that's a very good ambition," Hondré added.

Club members have already gotten the chance to compete in their first tournament this May with a club from Slovakia, where they emerged victorious with a score of 7 to 3. Gill said his ultimate goal was to one day make a national team to compete with others in the region.

But first, he said, it's all about expanding the sport in the Czech Republic, where his club is the first official polo club to be registered. Gill wants to bring in new players young and old, and has tried to especially focus on attracting more girls to the sport, which is traditionally boys only.

"The club tries to reach out. It would almost make more sense to have it called the People's Polo Club, or something like that," Gill said.

Gill has personally managed all details of the club, beginning the night he stayed up until 3 a.m. to write the constitution. He keeps personal track of what goes on in the stables and cares for the 14 horses along with Polarolo, as well as takes part in training the horses and giving lessons to clients and members.

"Everything the groom knows how to do, I know. Because if I don't, I can't see if it's good or how safe it is for my clients or members," Gill said. "I still remember how crap I was when I first started, and I know the members are determined, so I know what horses are best to accommodate them."

Cat Contiguglia can be reached at
ccontiguglia@praguepost.com