LA CONNER — The polo riders at the La Conner Polo Club make it look easy.
It’s really, really not.
I mean, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. In polo, you must stay astride a powerful animal with a mind of its own, while holding reins in one hand, a mallet in the other and trying to hit a tiny ball. Ideally, you don’t fall off. Or hit your horse with the mallet. Or hit yourself. Or hit a teammate. Or drop the mallet. You get the idea.
I got a chance to give a try recently. Aurora Edington and Ernesto Maña showed me the basics on a fun horse named Tormenta, which means storm in Spanish.
Tormenta was not at all stormy. In fact, I found her rather sweet. I think she found me rather boring.
I haven’t been on a horse in at least six years.
I’ve missed riding, so when George Dill asked if I wanted to give it a try, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
I arrived at Dill’s farm in La Conner and — after a quick meet-and-greet with the baby horses — got geared up.
First to go on was a helmet, which I appreciated. If I did anything particularly ungraceful, at least my brain would have some protection. After I was all geared up with helmets, boots and half chaps — lower leg wraps that make riding easier and more comfortable — I swung up on Tormenta’s back.
I rode her around in circles, getting used to her feeling and steering.
Then I tried holding the mallet. Once again, I felt awe for the riders. Just balancing the mallet in the air while riding at a slow walk taxed my brain.
Finally, with mallet in hand, we walked our horses out to the pitch. As we got nearer the pitch, I could feel Tormenta’s interest change. Her walk gained energy and she clearly was keen for something more challenging. Sorry, Tormenta.
Aurora showed me how to position myself in the saddle: lift sightly out of the saddle, twist your hips and shoulders, pull your arm back as if you’re drawing a bow and let the mallet drop. If you do it right, it should be easy.
I found the position in the saddle strangely secure. I didn’t feel as comfortable as Aurora looked, but I wasn’t about to land on my head either.
I gave the mallet some experimental swings, then Aurora let me try to hit the ball. I swung. I whiffed the mallet far above the ball. I tried again. The same. And again. Finally, I reached the mallet lower and slammed it into the ground a foot before the ball.
Who knew the biggest challenge would be finding the ground? And I was only riding one horse. During a typical polo match, riders use four different horses, each horse a different height.
As I tried to find the ground, Tormenta waited for me, patiently putting up with my sloppy swings that occasionally whizzed too close to her nose.
Eventually, I managed to connect with the ball. It made a pathetic little “tink” noise and rolled a few lazy feet. After a few more tries, I connected with a satisfying “crack” and the ball shot forward. It was nothing like the impressive distance Ernesto and Aurora were getting, but I was pleased.
After a few good swings, I could feel Tormenta’s interest increase. Maybe I was going to do something interesting after all.
Sadly, I’d need a lot more training up before I could ride in a chukker. So I passed Tormenta off to a real rider who could put her talent to better use.
I’m going to return this weekend to watch the Governor’s Cup. I’ll be watching from sidelines, but I’ll be cheering louder with a greater appreciation for the challenges of polo.
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